What's all this knitted stuff about? (and when Julie Walters came to Llwyngwril!)

Last Spring a few very imaginative and creative ladies in the village of Llwyngwril came up with the idea of yarn bombing the village, in an effort to bring the community together, brighten up the village and create a bit of interest to bring tourists in, while at the same time trying to collect some donations to raise money towards the Ganolfan (our village hall). Some people said, " What a daft idea!" or " What will happen when it rains? and other such unhelpful remarks.
Before long brightly coloured knitted bunting started to appear, shortly followed by knitted birds, fish, lobsters, moles, starfish and all manner of woolly creatures. The idea really took off and by the time the summer holidays arrived we had Gwril the local giant perched on the bridge closely followed by his wife the mermaid Moriania and then their baby drinking out of a huge baby's bottle, while lounging in a pushchair.

Word soon got round and visitors were coming to the village in their droves. Tourists could buy maps in the village shop that told the story of Gwril and his family while guiding people round the yarnbombing trails. Arriva trains even made a point of pointing out our woolly creations on Llwyngwril station platform. Amazingly by March this year donations amounted to over £2000!! What an achievement for the yarnbombers (men as well as ladies!) of Llwyngwril.

Buoyed up by their success of last year, the yarnbombers got together again earlier this year and made plans for this year's display. Some key characters from last year were washed, spruced up and put back out on display. However disaster struck and two days after Gwril was put back out on his perch on the bridge, he mysteriously disappeared overnight!! Police were involved, newspapers informed and ITV Cymru even reported on Gwril's disappearance , but up till now he has not been found. But never fear, he will be resurrected one way or another!

Anyway, this year, the Yarn Bombing has an extra focus. In September the International Sheep Dog Trials will take place in nearby Tywyn so knitters and crotcheters? have been busy creating very woolly sheep, sheepdogs, shepherds, banners, flags, etc., all based on the Sheepdog trial theme. There's even a super sheep warming up on his bike near the public toilets! Many more creations will be going on display throughout the summer.

Storymaps will soon be available to buy in the village shop and if you would like to make a donation there is a pouch in the village shop. Sponsors would also be very welcome as all the materials including trackers (to keep trace on all our characters) need to be funded.Just get in touch with us at Pentre Bach on cottages@pentrebach.com and we'll put you in touch with the organisers.

Come and visit Llwyngwril this summer and you'll be in for a real treat!

P.S. the sheep next to the shepherd is Pentre Bach's contribution to the yarnbombing project.

Gwril has returned! Although he looks a little different .....

PPS Julie Walters visited the village in October and joined in with some yarn bombing as part of filming for a new Channel 4 series about coastal communities.