Knitted artworks hit the seafront today as Bournemouth is 'yarn-bombed'

The national women's organisation is staging the art installation to mark holding its annual general meeting in the town, which takes place today and tomorrow at the Bournemouth International Centre.

"We're very excited to be holding our AGM in Bournemouth and many of our members have been 'knitting up a storm' so that we could announce our presence in the town with a bang," said board member Janice Collins.

"Yarn-bombing or yarn-storming was born in the USA around 10 years ago and is now a growing phenomenon in the UK and around the world.

"This guerilla or graffiti knitting movement has seen statues, railings, streets lamps, trees and even cars and buildings covered in brightly coloured knitting.

"It's great fun to do and people seem to love it. It’s great to see how many smiles it brings to faces.

"We're looking forward to meeting lots of Bournemouth people – everyone is welcome to come along to see what’s going on."

The organisation knits blankets for women suffering with fistulas in the Hamlin Fistula Clinic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, along with baby clothes and teddy bears for their babies. However, the project has hit a problem as the guild has 'lost' a crate of the teddies somewhere in Bournemouth.

"We're not sure what has happened but a whole crate of teddies has gone missing. Perhaps they have escaped," said fellow board member Jennifer Thorne.

"We are slightly concerned about the teddies - they are quite small to be out on their own.

"I’d like to make an appeal to the people of Bournemouth. If you find one of the teddies lost on the seafront or in the Lower Gardens, please pick it up and take it home with you. They need to be looked after."

Townswomen’s Guilds is one of the largest women’s organisations in the UK with 700 Guilds and 24,000 members.

The group offers events, friendship and a wide range of activities to members as well as campaigning on social issues.

Visit the-tg.com for more information.