Organised by Island Community Action (ICA), the Community Crafters: Woolly Wonderland Yarn Bomb Festival has seen around 1,500 people from across Portland, Weymouth and beyond create thousands of wool-based items to decorate Easton Gardens, Portland, in a magical kaleidoscope of colourful displays.

The event showcases knitted, crocheted, felted, sewn, wrapped and tied decorations and community art pieces, including mermaids, a giant lighthouse, umbrellas, hot air balloons, hedgehogs, seascapes, pom poms and tassels. The pieces have been used to brighten trees, fence panels, gates, and benches throughout the gardens and play area.

A range of local groups have also contributed, including ICA’s Community Crafters Group, Memorability Club (for those with dementia and their carers) and Hooked Crochet Club (for those in their 20s-40s). Also, Portland’s youth uniformed groups, e.g., 1st Portland Scouts and St John Ambulance Badgers, Atlantic Academy’s SEN Club, Hedgehog Friendly Portland, The Open Arms Centre, St George’s Primary School, Salon 88, The Sanctuary’s Wellbeing Group, Sunninghill Prep School, Knitaholics and Women’s Institutes. If we’ve left anyone off the list, we apologise profusely!

This truly intergenerational project has engaged every sector of the community, from older residents working with children to share traditional skills to volunteers helping those who are isolated to get involved and feel more connected to their community.

We hope everyone enjoys the displays this summer. We want them to bring you happiness and a real sense of pride in our wonderful island. Let’s treasure it and take care of it until it comes down after the b-side Fringe Festival.

Children are also invited to enter the Fuzzy Buzzy Bees competition – they just count bees in the displays, pop over to the ICA office (opposite the Gardens), register their guess and grab a lolly. The competition is running until September, when the winner will be announced. ICA’s office is open Monday to Friday (10 am to 2 pm).