A Llandudno knitting group set up in memory of the first Welsh soldier to be killed in Iraq is doing its bit to help British troops.
The Ty Hapus Purl Knitting Group was founded by Theresa Evans following the tragic death of her son, Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans.
Llywelyn – known as Welly to his friends – was one of 12 servicemen killed when an American Sea Knight helicopter crashed in the Kuwaiti desert on the first day of the conflict.
As well as knitting hats for British soldiers, the group which meets at the Ty Hapus Community Resource Centre also make clothes for various charities.
Their work was praised by the North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner, Winston Roddick CB QC, who dropped by during a visit to the Ffordd Las estate organised by housing association Cartrefi Conwy.
The aim of the visit was to show firsthand how tenants are engaging with community schemes on offer.
Group member Gaynor Parker explained: “We knit clothes for African charities, items for homeless charities as well as making tiny knitted items for premature baby units at hospitals here in the UK.
“We also knit hats for British troops so they can be sent to where ever they are serving and we also knit blankets for dogs and cats on behalf of the RSPCA.
“We will tackle just about anything to be honest and we are currently even knitting woollen poppies for the Royal British Legion.”
She added: “Anyone can join Ty Hapus Purl Knitting Club. Most are tenants of Cartrefi Conwy while others aren’t, but it doesn’t matter, we really enjoy each other’s company and the fact we are able to help people less fortunate through our knitting skills.
“We meet up and just get on making whatever we need to produce. We do get some wool donated but mostly fund what we do through the sale of some items such as our range of baby clothes.”
After casting an eye on their work, an impressed Mr Roddick bought a couple of baby cardigans for his granddaughter.
He said: “Fantastic, it’s lovely to see such a wonderful community effort whereby tenants are putting their skills to such good use. It is groups such as this knitting group that are the fabric which hold a community together yet the work they do so often slips under the radar.
“You can’t help but be impressed by the sheer range, and the quantities, of items these ladies produce and the number of good causes they help in doing so.
“It’s heart-warming to see and just goes to show the community spirit that is clearly alive and well here in North Wales.”
Cartrefi Conwy Director of Operations Gwynne Jones was delighted to welcome Mr Roddick to the Ffordd Las estate.
He said: “I am really pleased Mr Roddick has shown an interest and wanted to see for himself some of the work Cartrefi Conwy is doing at ground level.
“The simple truth is it is our job, as a registered social landlord to manage properties, something we do well as we can prove by the fact we achieved the Welsh Housing Quality Standard ahead of time.
“However, what we can’t do is build communities on our own. That has to be done by people and is something our tenants must achieve although we can, and do, help. And it’s local residents who are doing just that, something that can be evidenced by what we see with groups such as the Ty Hapus Purl Knitting Club.”
He added: “I’m pleased to see groups such as this thriving and the ladies involved doing such a wonderful job supporting so many good causes.
“Those involved, whether Cartrefi Conwy tenants or local residents, are to be congratulated and I am sure the group will continue to go from strength to strength.”
