Midhurst Magazine. Issue 31, Spring, April 2020. The 60th year edition.
A Modern Midhurst Myth: Yarn Bombers by a roving reporter “And what's the pyramid?”
There are many myths and mysteries swirling around in the woods that close in on Midhurst, most of them dimly seen through the mists of time, but there is one modern mystery. On occasion, Midhurstians wake to find that the town has been visited in the night. The only evidence is a tree, bollards, or railings clad in wool.
“That is an 8-foot Christmas tree!” she replied witheringly. We had this idea about a year ago and have been researching how to make it. Over the last 6 months we have been crocheting “granny squares” and have made in the region of 300 squares plus lots of smaller decorations.
Intrigued, we set out to solve the puzzle, and discovered a pattern. These nocturnal visitations took place around the time of MADhurst, or other festivals. We lay in wait, but we couldn't keep watch on the whole of Midhurst and time and time again we were foiled. If we lurked near the bus station woollen decorations would be found the next morning in Market Square. If that's where we were, it would happen by North Mill Bridge. Eventually we were lucky. One night, weaving our way home from the pub, we saw shadowy movements on the Stag Garden Roundabout. Cautiously, we moved closer, and we clearly saw bright-eyed bushy-tailed creatures with knitted face masks erecting some kind of a woollen pyramid. We called out softly:
It has been a real collaborative project for the beginner and more experienced Wool Technician”. “But wait! Let us photograph you. Let us tell your story!”
“We mean you no harm, but could you tell us what you are doing?” Startled, they bolted, making for the trees that border the water meadows. But from a safe distance one of them stopped, half turned. “We are the MADhurst Yarnbombers” she whispered. “We just want to put a smile on people’s faces and help to make our great little town of Midhurst a fabulous place to live and visit” 38
