Westhoughton Community Network

Following on the inaugural event in 2015, and the 2016 'Alice in Wonderland' themed event, Westhoughton Yarn Bombing Festival will return this August during Bolton Wakes Week.

Volunteers and knitters are keen to festoon the town centre with colour once again, with displays of yarn creations along Market Street and in Ditchfield Gardens (near the Pretoria miner statue). There will be displays further afield, such as down at Daisy Hill Station. Groups, schools and businesses are invited to get involved, either by contributing to the yarn displays or by helping with the event (putting up and taking down displays).

The two-day event was organised by Westhoughton Craft Group, which meets at the Library on a Thursday afternoon (1-3), with support from WCN. Areas were allocated and individual groups responsible for putting up and taking down their displays.

Westhoughton Market joined in the fun with family-friends events and activities over the two days, including a visit from Little Barn Farm - the mobile petting zoo - on the Sunday.

The winning display as judged by our distinguished panel was that of Friends of Daisy Hill Station.

The Westhoughton Yarn Bombing Festival will return in 2018 over the weekend of 14th-15th July. Those interested are invited to join in, get knitting or support this colourful community event. >>> Details.

Download Flyer | e-mail enquiries

What is Yarn Bombing?

Yarn Bombing is the name given to the idea idea of decorating a town, street furniture or parks with wool and yarn in a way that is colourful, eye-catching brightening up the locality for a few days. In the spirit of community, fun and residents coming together, whilst encouraging arts and crafts. An idea that stated in America in Texas in 2005 as a creative way of using leftover and unfinished knitting projects, and has since spread worldwide. Here in the UK, there have been Yarn Bombing Festivals in Bath, Southport, Clitheroe, parts of London, Leigh… and now thanks to the enthusiasm and hard work over recent months of WCN group, Rainbow Crafts, it was brought to Westhoughton in 2015 in a festival of colour, community and entertainment. Young and old, women and men, skilled and novice needlers getting involved in crocheting, knitting or weaving squares, long strips or coverings, all to brighten up the town centre for a few days. The idea really catching on with arts groups, community groups, churches, local businesses, all contributing to the spectacle.

Images from previous years

2016 Event Information | 2016 Photo Selection | 2015 Photo Selection

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