Westhoughton Yarn Bombing Festival 2018
Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th July
Westhoughton Town Centre
Ditchfield Gardens | Market Street
Westhoughton likes to knit! First introduced in 2015, the Westhoughton Yarn Bombing Festival returned in July, with knitters from community groups and local businesses busy bees for months creating displays to festooned railings, shop fronts, bollards, seats - anything that could be yarn-bombed! Organised by a team of volunteers from Westhoughton Market and Westhoughton Lions Rugby Club, the 2018 event featured yarn displays bringing that splash of colour to the town centre as the community came together for this popular event.
The focus of this year's event took place around the Market and in Ditchfield Gardens, with much to see, including stalls, entertainment, a tombola, games, mascots, hog roast and a fairground ride.
On Saturday the 'Howfen Radio Roadshow' provided music and commentary between 10am and 4pm, during which time there were performances from popular, local sing-a-long guitar ensemble, The Travellin' Strings; on Sunday there was an early afternoon 'Knit-out' in Ditchfield Gardens with Bolton's Knitting Noras - people could bring some wool, have some fun in the sun.
Westhoughton community spirit in evidence over the Yarn Bombing weekend, with the Market open on both days.
Money raised this year is in support of Westhoughton Lions Rugby Club, as they improve their facilities at The Den with a new clubhouse.
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Festival Weekend
Further afield there were Yarn Bombing displays around the John Holt Community Centre with user groups making displays, and by the Friends group at Daisy Hill Station.
The event coinciding with the popular Washacre Primary School Summer Funday with its stalls, food and refreshments; entertainment featuring Uncle Chris, XDC, Westhoughton Community Royalty, Howfen Radio, Lofty the Lion (BWFC); attractions include a bouncy castle and bungee-run. Scouts and Army Cadets were also present. This event held in and around the John Holt Centre on the Saturday (14th)
It is always good to see the efforts of organisers - the culmination of weeks and months of preparations - supported by the local community.
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 thanks to the enthusiasm and hard work of WCN group, Rainbow Crafts, it was brought to Westhoughton in 2015: a festival of colour, community and entertainment that both surprised and enthralled. 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.
2016 Event Information | 2016 Photo Selection | 2015 Photo Selection
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