By Nina Cooper, Community Builder for Kings Ash and Collaton St. Mary

Torbay knitters are at it again – and dozens are preparing to decorate the streets.

Look out for the yarn bombing around Torbay for the Platinum Jubilee celebrations from May 12 to 15.

Robbie Lynch and her friends long since came up with a creative solution to the Bay’s scruffy buildings – yarn bomb them.

Weeks of preparation go into the colourful blitzes on venues in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham with literally hundreds of – exclusively – women hours taken up.

And their creations go beyond the colourful with hand-knitted seagulls, lighthouses, fishes and boats as well larger pieces used to cover up peeling paint and rusting railings.

The first yarn bomb took place around seven years ago on a shelter on Paignton seafront, and since then the team have been targeting not just council venues, but privately owned businesses as well.

Fans love them so much they often contribute money which is then spent on a variety of good causes around the area.

What is yarn bombing? Yarn storming, guerrilla knitting, urban knitting, graffiti knitting are all names for this fun creative street art.

Showing up on trees, lamp posts, post boxes, benches and beachfront shelters, it can vary greatly in colours, styles and meanings and can be used at celebrations or just to brighten up towns and spaces.

Our very own Torbay Yarnbombers have decorated at local summer events, Christmas markets and as mentioned, have spruced up some beach shelters in the past.

They are planning a red, white and blue display during the royal celebrations and have already started knitting and crocheting the pieces.

Anyone is welcome to join in, let me know if your knitting group has similar ideas? Or you may want to take part as an individual.

Please call me if interested or if you’d like to donate some wool – call 07929 335 915.