Year Of The Sea: Llanelli Yarn Bombing In Its Second Year

Second Year Running For Llanelli’s Yarn Bombing: Year Of The Sea

For two weeks of last August, knitted items started to appear around Llanelli’s Town Centre. It proved to have such a positive impact, that it was inevitable that it would be set to feature as an annual occurrence. This year’s theme is ‘Year Of The Sea’ and it’s not hard for The West Wales Chronicle to appreciate why it’s such a strong talking point amongst visitors at Llanelli Town Centre.

Stepney Square is eye catching in itself as are many of the local businesses with the knitted and crocheted items displayed in shop windows, twelve in total infact. Also Llanelli Market and the St Elli Shopping Centre is playing host with regards to displaying knitted bunting, fish, pirates, mermaids and exuberant dream catchers amongst many more sea-themed delights.

The Chronicle spoke with members of local knitting group; The Crafty Seniors yesterday (August 20) who are responsible for the knitted crafts. A lot of hard work and effort has gone into the theme which started on August 19.

The Crafty Seniors is based at Clos Llanfihangel in Dafen and they’ve spent months knitting the variety of bunting, bollard covers and various other sea-themed items to dress up Llanelli. Knitted fish, turtles, coral, mermaids, pirates, starfish and other ocean-inspired items in the varied shop windows throughout the town are nothing short of striking.

The Sosban Shedders have also been involved in the project and have made wooden whales for this year’s yarn bombing treasure hunt which are just wonderful.
As part of the sea-themed week, the pom pom covered whales have been placed in twelve local businesses (around the town) for people to find, children along with their parents could be seen yesterday looking for the crafty creations. Who can blame them!

It’s something different for the school holidays with a worthy prize for finding all twelve whales. This is a back to school hamper which has been donated kindly courtesy of Wilko. Entry forms and clues to each business can be found at Llanelli Library, they’ll also need to be returned back there.

Ymlaen Llanelli, the town’s Business Improvement District has supported the initiative for the last two years.
Ymlaen Llanelli Manager Mandy Jenkins said:
“I hope that people will have pride within Llanelli and the town and leave the creations up, a lot of hard work which has taken months in preparation has gone into this, it shows. We are delighted to support Crafty Seniors along with Sosban Shredders.”

Linda Davies (Social Secretary at Crafty Seniors) told The West Wales Chronicle:
“This year is even bigger and better than it was last year. The whole idea is for group involvement and to enhance lives by teaching new skills. We have two groups with over thirty members currently and are always looking for more, quite a few men have joined the group and are thoroughly enjoying. Even if you can’t knit or crochet, then you can make pom poms.”

Gaynor Churchill of the Craty Seniors added:
“Everyone in the group has been working so hard in the last few months to get things ready and we are so excited that our work is displayed for all to see. It’s also been great working with the Sosban Shedders who have provided the wooden whales for the trail which we hope the children as well as parents will enjoy taking part in.”
The ‘Whale Trail’ started today and every child that returns a completed form will receive a bag of sweets. An overall winner shall be drawn from all of the entries on August 30 (Thursday) at Llanelli Public Library.
For more information on Ymlaen Llanelli and how you can get involved, please contact BID Manager Mandy Jenkins on 07803 503972 or mandy.jenkins@themeans.co.uk
Ymlaen Llanelli (also known as The BID Project) is the towns Business Improvement District and has supported the initiative for the last two years.

Crafty Seniors usually cater for the over fifties, however there are younger members involved also. The group also run bus trips with many local excursions. You can join them for their craft sessions on a Monday at Llwynhendy Public Library from 2-4pm or on a Tuesday at Clos Llanfihangel situated in Dafen from 2-4pm.
A big thank you to local business ‘Just Into Craft’ and proprietor Debbie plus other agencies/businesses for all their involvement during the project.