Mermaids, a pod of dolphins, a shipwreck, sharks, a coral reef, a giant crab, a huge octopus, and 30 piranhas can be seen in the county town.
Members of The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters have produced another amazing summer yarnbomb in Hertford town centre to bring joy during the summer holidays.
Around 70 SSOHC members decorated Hertford’s Parliament Square at 4am last Sunday to install their latest yarnbomb.
Laden with all things woollen, miles of thread, masses of needles, ladders, garden kneelers and flasks of tea, they sewed, stitched, climbed and knelt their way into the sunrise to take Hertford residents by surprise that morning.
“As yarnbombing by its nature is secretive and anonymous, it also feels slightly naughty going out at 4am to install our summer yarnbomb – you don’t get that many chances, especially later in life, to be a bit naughty,” said society member Anne Haworth.
The 'Under the Sea' yarnbomb is raising funds for Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust and EHAAT ambassador Lisa Snowdon has already visited the incredible display.
To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/page/yarn-bombersummeryarnbomb2023
The vibrant 'Under the Sea' theme display includes:
• A stunning coral reef round the edge of the War Memorial, adorned with two mermaids (Sam Phire and Calypso) and a Merman (Herman the Merman), an amazing variety of corals and hidden sea creatures.
• A pod of dolphins leaping through the waves.
• A flock of flying fish.
• Endangered sea species to highlight the need for ocean conservation intertwined around the cycle racks, including manta ray, hammerhead shark, beluga whale, blue whale, Galapagos penguin with baby, whale shark with baby, sea turtle and florida manatee.
• A shipwreck, with wreckage strewn over six bollards and including the figurehead, wheel, sails, anchor, treasure and of course a skull and crossbones.
• The two stone benches in Parliament Square have been adorned with a Giant Crab (Crispin Crab) and a Giant Octopus (Malcolm Octopus) creating fun photo opportunities.
• Five cycle bollards have been transformed into a herd of seahorses.
• Seven trees around Parliament Square have been magically conjured into sea scenes, with masses of sea and seaweed garlands and each tree depicting different sea life some real, some imaginary,
• The eighth tree is a fresh water river in South America and is full of Piranhas!
• Remaining bollards around Parliament Square have been transformed into under sea rocks, each one created with a different sea creature, including sea urchins, shrimps, starfish, crabs, oysters, rays, sea iguana, angler fish, eels, squid, mussels, sea snakes, walrus, lobsters, sea slugs and seals.
The Monday group of the SSOHC said: “We’ve crocheted crustaceans, knitted knots, sewn seahorses, felted fish, darned dolphins, and stuffed slugs!”
“Yarnbomb projects are always a challenge but I never thought my knees would be gripping a mannequin’s neck whilst crocheting her made to measure head!” added Liz Darton, for the shipwreck figurehead.
The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters have also devised a quiz which engages and encourages children to explore the different Under the Sea displays.
Follow the link on the SSOHC website www.ssohc.co.uk to download the quiz. A printed copy of the quiz may be collected from the stall in Parliament Square and completed quizzes need to be returned here.
The stall will be open Friday, August 11; Saturday, August 12; Sunday, August 13; Friday, August 18; Saturday, August 19; and Sunday, August 20 from 10am to 3.30pm (all dates weather permitting).
Who are The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters?
The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters are a group of around 150 members who have a wide range of crafting skills; from novice knitters to capable crocheters, fabulous felters to quality quilters.
Around 100 members have actively participated in this current yarnbombing event.
The group formed in January 2017 and yarnbombing installations have included the Poppy Cascade at Hertford Castle in 2018 to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War, Enchanted Wonderland in Summer 2019, Hertford’s Advent Christmas Tree 2019, a joint venture with Scott’s Grotto in Summer 2021, a celebration of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, Sprites bringing fun and games to Hertford at Christmas 2022, and celebrating King Charles III’s Coronation in May 2023.
Over the last seven years, they have raised over £148,000 for many local charities, including Isabel Hospice, Royal British Legion, CHIPS (Children’s Integrated Play Schemes), Herts Young Homeless, Carers in Herts, Citizens Advice, Scott’s Grotto, Samaritans and Mudlarks.
As one SSOHC member said “Not bad for a few old birds and some wool!”
PROJECT STATISTICS: Under The Sea Summer Yarnbomb Statistics 2023
- 2,610 Knitted squares
- 2,458 Coral pieces in coral reef
- 670 Seaweed strips hanging in trees
- 632 Scales on merpeople
- 198 Metres of knitted sea and waves
- 176 Suckers on the Giant Octopus
- 45 Waste plastic items reused
- 32 Components for the Giant Crab
- 30 Piranhas
- 30 Sea slugs
- 24 Gold doubloons
- 16 Dolphins
- 14 Fish skeletons
- 9 Endangered species
- 9 Sharks
- 9 Flying fish
- 5 Jellyfish in trees
- 1 Ship’s figurehead.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here