By Violet Brown
A GROUP of stitchers brought a splash of colour to Portavogie during the VE Day celebrations and the ensuing weekend.
For weeks coming up to the event the Seaside Yarners were busy crafting tributes to all those who served during World War II to bring peace and freedom in Europe. The trail of displays was carefully planned to ensure the 80th anniversary of this momentous day was marked throughout the village.
Cathy Allen, of Seaside Yarners, explained the group of women met in Portavogie Orange Hall from 7-9pm on Monday evenings to crochet or knit while enjoying the camaraderie of fellow crafters. Experienced stitchers happily share their talents with newer members keen to learn new skills.
In the past they have worked on projects for premature babies and cancer patients. The VE trail was their way of paying tribute by adorning the village with their creations such as post box and pillar toppers and bunting, with displays depicting the services – army, navy and airforce – land girls and even the pigeons who carried messages.
A net of poppies was one of the focal points in the display and one of the women crocheted a Union Jack which has been donated to the local Orange Lodge.
“The women put in a lot of hard work to get the display ready for VE Day,” said Mrs Allen. “Every one of the creations are absolutely fabulous”.
The displays attracted a lot of visitors to the village over the weekend and the work of the Seaside Yarners has been commended by peninsula alderman Robert Adair.
“This is a relatively new group in the village and they have brought together women of all ages who create works of art”, he said. “Women from villages across the peninsula come together for a bit of craic and friendship”.
Commending the VE Day display around Portavogie Mr Adair described it as ‘a real labour of love’. “It is a wonderful tribute and the displays around Portavogie were very much appreciated,” he continued.
“Visitors have come from all over – people from Belfast, Carrickfergus and Larne have stopped me on my walks to ask where the items were”.
It has been a learning tool for children and young people, Mr Adair said, providing an opportunity for them to explore the story of VE Day. “Children have come out of the school and walked the trail round the village to see the different aspects of VE Day and it has got them interested to learn more,” he related. “The displays are absolutely lovely”.
