Knitting Together for Bark in the Park

By David Kingman

A very special splash of colour is coming to Bark in the Park, thanks to the talented knitting ladies from The Duchess of Cornwall Inn – The Knitwits.

Credit: The Knitwits

The group meets every Friday for a friendly get-together, enjoying plenty of conversation and laughter while their knitting needles are kept very busy. The group has been knitting at the Duchess for over 5 years now and is organised by Val Heywood. The group meet at The Duchess every Friday morning from 10am to 12 noon. Not all members knit, some prefer to bring their own hobbies, needlework, colouring etc. The main reason for the group is to meet others, mix and make new friends and of course chat !! Hence knit and natter !! 

Val has organised day trips, lunches, birthday celebrations and twice a year a break for those wishing to have a lovely 3 night break in Sidmouth at The Bedford Hotel.

Over recent weeks, they have taken on a wonderful challenge for the event – creating yards and yards of colourful hand-knitted bunting.

Their handiwork will be used to decorate the show ring at Bark in the Park, bringing a cheerful, homemade touch to the Great Field and helping to make the day look extra special.

This is not the first time the group have knitted for David Kingman , as back in 2024 they knitted bollard hats for the Summer Fayre held outside the Duchess and had been organised once again by Art at the Duchess in aid of charity.

It is a lovely example of the Poundbury community coming together to support the event and The Lexi May Trust.

Thank you, Val, Barbara, Brenda, Faith, June, Trish, Sue M., and Shirley

So, when you arrive at Bark in the Park and see the show ring dressed in its colourful knitted bunting, spare a thought for the many Friday mornings – and many, many stitches – that went into making it!

If you are interested, pop along to the Duchess any Friday and chat with Val.