Knitted exhibition tells yarns from D-Day
An 80m-long (262ft) display made by knitters across the world recreating the scenes of D-Day has gone on display in Peterborough.
The Longest Yarn was created with the help of about 180 crafters across the world, to recreate 80 scenes from the 1944 landings of allied troops in Normandy, France in World War Two.
The exhibition is being held at Peterborough Cathedral from Tuesday until 1 April and will be the last time it goes on display in the United Kingdom.
"The Longest Yarn is a moving tribute to the courage of those who served in the D-Day landings," a spokesperson for the cathedral said.
"This knitted and crocheted installation captures the significance of that day, offering a respectful space for reflection.
"It serves as a reminder of the bravery and sacrifice that shaped the course of history as well as a chance to remember those currently serving in our military."
The exhibition has previously been on display in France before touring Britain.
On social media, The Longest Yarn team said it would be the last display in the UK before it is taken on tour in the United States, after which it would return to its permanent home in northern France.
In February, it was due to appear at the American Library based in the Millennium Library in Norwich, however, the event was cancelled due to safety concerns and a lack of space.
At the time, Norfolk County Council said: "As potential visitor numbers began to grow, concerns emerged about the ability to host such an important exhibition in a relatively small space in a way that it could be fully and safely enjoyed by those wishing to view it."
Entrance to the exhibition at Peterborough Cathedral is free but those behind the event "would be very grateful" for a suggested donation of £2.50 per person to go towards the upkeep of the venue.
Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Knitted D-Day display cancelled over safety fears
Army of knitted soldiers raise awareness for D-Day
Cartoonist's 'mission' to get more men knitting
Queen of knitting's glorious treasures rehomed
Globe attracted 'thousands' to cathedral
Giant scale model moon hangs in cathedral
The Longest Yarn
Peterborough Cathedral
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
Township to unveil new Veterans Memorial site, honor resident D-Day hero Jim ‘Pee Wee' Martin
Sugarcreek Township will be honoring one of their own and celebrating the brave individuals who serve our country when they unveil a new Veterans Memorial in August. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The memorial, located on the corner of Pine Court and Upper Bellbrook Road, will feature flags and monuments for all the branches of the armed services and the POW/MIA veterans. Specifically, the memorial will feature a statue of Jim 'Pee Wee' Martin. Martin was a paratrooper in World War II, including on D-Day. He served in the 101st Airborne Division and was a member of the 'Screaming Eagles.' Martin lived in Sugarcreek Township from the late 1940s until he died in 2022 at the age of 101 years old. TRENDING STORIES: Solicitor doesn't have required permits, resists arrest after reports of suspicious behavior Conner Smith hits, kills 77-year-old woman walking in crosswalk, police say Invasive stinging insect that could cause death spotted in Ohio The statue of Martin will depict him in his gear on D-Day as he was jumping out of the plane into Normandy, France. According to Sugarcreek Township Administrator Barry Tiffany, the statue will stand 7 to 8 feet tall and will be positioned on top of a platform block in honor of all the veterans who served in WWII. 'The Veterans Memorial has been a vision item for the community for many years, and we have the funding now to make it a reality,' Tiffany said. The memorial has been in the works since 2022, as previously reported by News Center 7. The memorial will honor all Sugarcreek Township residents who have served in the military, past and present. 'Veterans and families can order pavers engraved with veteran information or family messages in support of our veterans,' Tiffany said. The dedication and unveiling of the statue and the official opening of the Memorial are scheduled for noon on August 16. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
D-Day anniversary events remember the ‘Bedford Boys'
BEDFORD, Va. (WFXR) — The anniversary of D-Day is a particularly somber one for the Town of Bedford, which has been home to the National D-Day Memorial since 2001. The town lost 20 young men while they were storming the beaches of Normandy, giving Bedford, a town of just over 3,200 at the time, the highest per capita death toll from D-Day. Executive Director of the Bedford Boys Tribute Center Ken Parker says 19 of those men were killed within the first nine minutes, without ever having fired a shot. 'They gave up all their tomorrows for our today,' said Parker. 'They perpetually teach us that freedom is not free.' At the National D-Day Memorial, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin spoke in front of hundreds, including 10 of the few surviving World War II veterans. He called on listeners to remember the sacrifices of those who gave their lives that day, many of whom, he pointed out, were barely old enough to graduate high school at the time. Clarence 'Bill' Wenzel was one of those men, just 17 at the time he joined the Navy during World War II. On Friday morning, he recalled the moment he was notified that he had been drafted. National D-Day memorial in Bedford commemorates 80th anniversary of D-Day 'I didn't like being drafted to go to war, because I was raised by a pastor,' said Wenzel. 'I was taught to love everybody and now here I'm being trained on how to kill another human being.' Later in the day, dozens gathered outside the Bedford County Courthouse for the annual wreath-laying ceremony for those 20 'Bedford Boys.' On the 10-year anniversary of D-Day, roughly 5,000 met at the courthouse for the dedication of a memorial stone shipped from France to honor the boys. Every year over the next four decades, two of the surviving 'Bedford Boys,' met at the stone to lay an ivy wreath at its base in honor of their fallen brothers. On the 81st anniversary, the town carried on that tradition, as relatives of those two men had the honor of placing the ivy wreath by the stone, while the descendants of the fallen 'Bedford Boys,' looked on. 'It's without a doubt the highlight of our entire year,' said Parker. 'To pay homage and respect to our beloved Bedford Boys.' Finally, at 6:44 p.m., a nod to June of 1944, all the church bells in town rang for one minute, while the bell atop the courthouse rang once for each of the 'Bedford Boys,' that laid down their lives in service of their country. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Charles tells veteran to ‘keep drinking whisky' during Lancaster Castle visit
The King has praised a 101-year-old veteran as 'amazing' and told him to keep drinking whisky during a visit to Lancashire. Charles met Richard Brock, who served in the D-Day landings, at a reception at Lancaster Castle on Monday and remembered him from a visit to Normandy last year. After asking Mr Brock's age, the King said: 'You are fantastic.' As he left, he added: 'Keep drinking the whisky.' Mr Brock, who served with the East Lancashire Regiment, said: 'He just told me I was amazing for my age.' His son Tony Brock, who attended the reception with him, said: 'He mentioned a nip of whisky and said to keep taking it.' Charles arrived at the castle shortly before 11am and was greeted by crowds of well-wishers, some who had been waiting since 5am, waving Union flags. Anti-monarchy protesters were also awaiting his arrival and could be heard chanting 'Not my king' as he left his vehicle. The group had a yellow banner which said 'Abolish the Monarchy' and held signs saying 'Not my King' and 'Ditch the Duchies'. Among those keen to see the King were friends Joan Hardcastle, 103, and Barbara Graham, 93, who had come with staff and two other residents from Laurel Bank Care Home. Mrs Hardcastle held a framed photograph of Charles presenting her with her MBE for voluntary services 40 years ago. She said: 'I've seen him several times since. He was fine when I met him, very chatty.' Care home manager Lyndsay Scott said: 'It was Barbara's idea to come. We got here at 9am, we've had flasks of tea and croissants.' Charles took part in a ceremony of keys outside the castle, a tradition which dates back to 1851 when the keys were presented to Queen Victoria and which Queen Elizabeth II participated in in 2015. Once inside the grounds of the castle, which was a prison until 2011, the King met local business owners who were showcasing their work. He expressed his love of cheese, telling Gillian Hale, from Butlers' Farmhouse Cheeses, he loved sheep's cheese on a digestive biscuit. He smelt some of the cheeses she had on display but did not taste any. She said: 'We're going to send some to him later in a goody bag. He was so gracious.' The King was also gifted a neck tie and some gloves for the Queen from Northern Yarn. Business owner Kate Makin said: 'He was really interested in the regenerative farming and the local wools we use.' Lancashire County Council leader Stephen Atkinson, who was elected last month when Reform UK took control of the authority, spoke to the King about his new role. Mr Atkinson said: 'He asked about my business and how I'm managing now, whether my job is full time.' A Fijian choir formed from the First Battalion of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment – made up of serving Fijian Kingsmen, veterans and their family members – performed for the King, who told them he was sad not to have been able to visit the country last year. He said: 'They wouldn't let me go, I was desperate to go there.'
