You may have noticed some new fishy residents in and around Newlyn this week…
Local crafty residents and members of Newlyn Knitters have been busy creating a popular form of community street art – yarn bombing!
Knitted and crocheted mackerel, herring, jellyfish, and many more sea creatures have been hung all around the harbour area, Rosebug Gardens and Bowjey Woods.
So what’s the thinking behind this community project?
“We have yarn bombed Newlyn as a form of Craftivism to raise awareness of our work at Rosebud Gardens and Bowjey Woods” said Maryjane Wallis, part of the Friends of Rosebud Gardens & Bowjey Woods group.
“We wanted to highlight their historical links to the fishing industry of Newlyn, focusing in particular on the Rosebud PZ 87 and her important journey to London in 1937 to deliver a petition to the Houses of Parliament to stop the demolition of the fisherman’s cottages in Newlyn.
“Unfortunately, not all the cottages were saved and Rosebud Gardens was later built where some of the demolished cottages once stood.
“Lots of local and national artists, crafters, community knitting groups and WI groups have joined together to support us in making varieties of fish that were historically caught in Newlyn such as Mackerel, Pilchards and Herring. There is also the odd jellyfish and octopus making an appearance in our yarn bombing too!”
“Yarn bombing is a fun way to highlight the historical links of Newlyn fishing industry, Rosebud Gardens, and Bowjey Woods. It involves all ages – I love it!” said Cllr Sue Bosworth, ward Councillor for Newlyn & Mousehole.
The ex BT telephone box was taken on by Penzance Council a number of years and is regularly used by local community groups for art installations, book swaps and much more.
The Council has just resolved to take on two more old telephone boxes in Penzance, on Market Jew Street (behind the Humphry Davy Statue) with potential interest already from community groups including Sustainable Penzance and Penzance Community Flora Group.
The yarn bombing will be on display throughout August to coincide with when the Newlyn Fish Festival would normally take place. It will be a continuous display which will be added to throughout the month.
If you would like to add a fish or two or even some bunting in Newlyn the Friends of Rosebud Gardens & Bowjey Woods would be very grateful!
