Bishop's Garden to host Norfolk Knitters open day 

Norfolk Knitters and Stitchers are holding a special afternoon later this month in the beautiful setting of the Bishop's Garden, Norwich, and everyone is welcome to come along. Tony Rothe reports.

The Garden has belonged to the Bishops of Norwich for over 900 years. Bishop Graham James and his wife kindly open their garden for the use of local charities every summer, and the Norfolk Knitters and Stitchers will be there from 1pm to 5pm on Sunday July 16.
 
 
Each Area Wool Loft - West Norfolk, South Norfolk, North Norfolk, Lowestoft and the East, and Norwich - will be represented. Each Area will have a different theme and will be inviting their own supported charities. There will also be a variety of other stalls, activities and music.
 
 
Organiser Linda Brown is very proud of the growth of the whole Norfolk project. “There is has been so much happening across the county that it is hard to find room to fit everything in. I am constantly amazed by the wonderful things done by individuals and by groups. There are over 120 groups now all knitting and stitching away, and many have their own special interests- we’re particularly proud to be helping those less fortunate than ourselves. This is clearly going to be the event of the season!”
 
Linda continues: “One amazing achievement was the recent recruitment of our 3,000th knitter, Jane Dean!  Jane is a very keen stitcher and was happy to meet up with others who were also keen on stitching – dresses, skirts, shorts and trousers for children abroad, bags for the foodbanks locally, and many other items needed by different charities.”
 
 
This is an open afternoon garden event and is open to the public.  There is an entry charge of £3 (wheelchair users and children free) and local dignitaries have been invited who have been extremely helpful in publicising the charity in the past.  
 
 
Charities supported by Norfolk Knitters and Stitchers have also been invited to come along as part of each Area’s theme – for example, the Norwich Theme includes the Norwich Food Bank, St Martin’s Housing Trust, the Norwich Puppet Theatre.  There will also have a display on how the knitters help others, not simply by donating knitted and stitched items, but other items and skills which they can use (for example, New Routes and Tools with a Mission).
 
 
Event organiser Elly Reynolds said “As well as raising funds, it is important that we get our message out – that we are not simply a group of retired ladies knitting and nattering over a cup of tea.  We do so much more”
 
 
Visit: www.norfolkknitters.org.uk
 
For more information, e-mail elly.reynolds@btinternet.com
 
 
Read the previous story on Network Norfolk about Norfolk Knitters and Stitchers here.
 
 
The picture of the Bishop’s garden is courtesy of https://www.facebook.com/dioceseofnorwich/photos/