Thirsk

This is a post that I intended to publish last year. But, as is often the case, time and stuff got in the way. This is from April, 2024.

Last year we were invaded by a contingent from our Australia based rellies. They arrived mid April and we elected to take a trip up to York for a few days.

We spent a lovely few hours in Thirsk, a pretty market town located about a forty minute drive north of York in the Vale of Mowbray. Thirsk is the hometown of renowned vet and author James Herriot. Thirsk is depicted as Darrowby in the TV series.

We parked in the market square and were immediately immersed in a friendly, genteel atmosphere harking back to past times. A reflection of rural england at its finest.

We were, however, pulled back to modern times, surrounded as we were by numerous knitted or crocheted “toppers”, a much more historically recent creation.

These toppers are knitted or crocheted. I think they became popular during the Covid pandemic. Initially appearing on top of pillar boxes.

They were originally designed as a tribute to NHS workers.

Subsequently, they have been installed as a form of commemeration, or even just for public enjoyment.

A new name has become popular for the folks that create and install these pieces of art.

They are known as “Yarn Bombers”

Although a couple of years ago a Daily Mail jornalist branded the perpetrators as “Wooly Delinquents”

Personally I think we should embrace them as a bit of fun. They do no harm and some of them are really quite intricate. They truly are works of art.

I think the last word should go to this creation.