Crochet Hearts Celebrate Queen’s Jubilee

Crochet hearts in the colours of the Union Jack have been knitted by a volunteer in Harleston and given to local school children to celebrate the Jubilee.

The initiative was organised by Pam Spicer from Voluntary Norfolk’s Better Together service and Harleston Information Plus, in collaboration with Harleston’s Jubilee Committee.

A local volunteer from the community made 500 crochet hearts which were issued to pre and primary school children in Harleston.

Recipients included pupils at Harleston Primary Academy and all pre-school children in Harleston. Some have been also given to local childminders and shops in the town that have a Jubilee display.

This is just one part of the town’s Jubilee celebrations. There is also a Commemoration book made by volunteers from the local art group. This has been circulating in the community for people to add their message of congratulations to the Queen and will be present at the Jubilee picnic in the park in Harleston at the weekend.

The ‘All Together Cafe’, which seeks to help tackle loneliness and social isolation in the area will also be present at the Jubilee picnic and volunteers will be on hand to chat with people.

Furthermore, there is a ‘Jubilee Tree’ in St Johns Church in Harleston. This tree was first used as a local ‘Tree of Hope’ during the pandemic, but it has been redesignated as a Jubilee tree so that people can come together and add personal messages to the tree during the Jubilee weekend.

Pam Spicer said:

“It’s amazing to see the community coming together in this way. One of the wonderful things about Norfolk is the power and willingness of people to look after their neighbours, especially when they are in need. Sadly, given everything that has happened over the last two years, the need to overcome loneliness and social isolation has never been greater. That’s why I and my Better Together colleagues are delighted to be involved with grassroots initiatives like this that make such a difference to people’s lives.”

Better Together Norfolk is a project run by Voluntary Norfolk to help tackle the physical and mental health impacts of loneliness and isolation. The project covers Norwich, Great Yarmouth, South Norfolk and Broadland.