A COMMUNITY project which brought people together as well as materials is now on display.
More than 350 volunteers were involved in the Weymouth and Portland Let’s Make It knitting project to encourage people to get creative and contribute to something special.
Workshops were held where people learnt to knit various items, which contributed to a big design by artist Julie McCabe.
It all led to a magnificent display in the Weymouth Carnival procession and ended up winning second prize.
The project involved a cross-section of the community including schools, nursery groups, residents’ associations, Cubs and Brownies and adults with learning difficulties.
The items they made are being displayed in the offices of Weymouth and Portland Borough Council before going to the Ridgeway Centre.
Borough council spokesman Kate Wheller said: “This has been a spectacular project and it’s terrific evidence of the value of cross community working.
“Siting it in the office is such a good idea, even more people will see the pieces and for staff who are so often chained to their desks it is an opportunity to see what goes on out there in the borough.”
Community development worker Julie Hursthouse who co-ordinated Let’s Make It, said there is one display in the front window of the council offices and another in the old cash office area and they have already received positive feedback from the public.
Julie said the volunteers contributed a total of 5,000 hours. The youngest participant was four years old and the oldest was 87.
Funding for the project came from Synergy Housing and Travis Perkins.
She said a thank you celebration for everyone that took part will be held at the Park Community Centre in Chelmsford Street, Weymouth from 3pm-4pm.
Julie added that she was now working on a project for the Olympics in which people are being asked to make wool cushions.
Workshops for this project will take place at the Park Community Centre on October 20 from 10am-noon, Weymouth Community Fire Station on October 25 from 10am-noon and the Park Community Centre on October 27 from 3pm-4pm. Anyone interested in purchasing any of the Let’s Make It items can contact Julie Hursthouse on 01305 226537 or 838497.
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