Local volunteers help tell the story of Britain at War…stitch by stitch

Local knitters and crocheters have spoken of their pride in helping to create an incredible 80-metre-long Second World War exhibition set to go on display in Wrexham next week (from Monday, October 5).

The Longest Yarn 2 has been created by volunteers from all over the world, and brings the story of Britain’s wartime experience vividly to life.

From D-Day and the Battle of Britain to everyday life on the Home Front, each scene has been meticulously researched, designed and handcrafted.

Made up of 80 knitted and crocheted art panels, the exhibition is currently touring the UK, and is due to open to the public at St Giles Church in Wrexham on Monday, October 5.

There’s an important local link to the exhibition, as two of the scenes have been created by craft groups right here in Wrexham – including groups in Hightown, Pentre Broughton and Brynteg, All Saints Church, Gresford, Gwersyllt and Penley.

The scenes depict Polish airmen during the Battle of Britain, and the Air Transport Auxiliary (ATA) which flew aircraft between factories and front-line squadrons.

Mai Rees Moulton was one of the local knitters and crocheters who took part in the project, and played a crucial role in helping to co-ordinate the work of local groups.

Mai said: “The panels are based on real photographs from the Second World War, and we tried to recreate the scenes as accurately as possible.

“Each group would work on knitting or crocheting individual figures, aircraft and other features in the photographs, which were then sent through to me to pull together to create the final panels.

“There’s even a little dog sitting on the wing of an aircraft in one of the scenes – something copied straight from one of the photographs.

“I hope as many people as possible will come and see the exhibition while it’s at St Giles. It’s been a wonderful project to be involved in, and between us all we must have put in hundreds of hours…and stitches!”

Ann De Max is another local volunteer who worked on the project, along with colleagues at the Broughton and Brynteg knitting and crocheting group.

Ann said: “It was quite tricky, but it was great fun and lovely to contribute to the project on behalf of Wrexham.

“I crocheted one of the airmen and I think the hat was the trickiest part! There were lots of tiny little details, so it was a challenge, but it was very enjoyable.

“Our group meets once a week and it’s as much about catching-up and seeing each other as it is about the craft, so it was lovely to work on something together.

“It’s nice to think the exhibition will go on to visit other parts of the country, and that Wrexham will be represented with these two panels. It was really nice to be part of it and I hope people will pop along to St Giles to take a look.”