A community of crafters transforms a town – with no budget and no politics, just generosity of spirit, yarn madness and collaborative fun.
This summer, Rugby Yarn bombers launch their first extravaganza of displays by celebrating the 160th anniversary of the first publication of Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland. For four weeks, you can come and see over 30 scenes from the Alice stories as they appear in shop windows and public spaces, inspired by the strange and delightful world created by one of Rugby School’s most famous schoolboys, author Lewis Carroll.
Expect a mad tea party, a croquet ground with grinning cat and flamingos, roses painted red, a White Rabbit or two, and even an interpretation of a lost chapter from the Through the Looking-Glass sequel. Nearly 100 bollards will blossom with handmade roses, 40 giant playing cards will be scattered around the town, over 50 trees will don colourful coats crafted by local groups, and curious characters will peek out from unexpected places. The quirky and charming installations invite visitors to look closer, smile more, and maybe even lose track of time. just like Alice.
Behind the scenes is a quietly humming force of some 200 local makers, brought together under the banner of Rugby Yarn Bombers. Formed by the local natural and eco-products shop Wild and Free, the yarn bomb community was founded not for profit or publicity. Its purpose is to bring people together in a post-pandemic world that can often feel isolating. It also aims to show how things can be shared and re-used to create something magical.
“It’s about joy, really,” says Ceri Line, the event’s lead organiser and co-owner of Wild and Free. “Joy in making, joy in community, and joy in turning heads when someone rounds a corner and sees a nonsense sign or colourful character .”
Uniquely, the entire event is fuelled by generosity. No public money has been spent. Every metre of yarn, every pin and needle, every space for working and storage, from spare shop space to the local library, has been freely given. No one paid to take part, and no one was charged. It’s a case study in what a town can do when ego, branding, and budgets are put to one side.
Wonderland is more than a spectacle; it’s a statement. It’s proof that a community, given encouragement and just enough nonsense, can stitch together something quite extraordinary.
Preview exhibits will be on display in Art at the Alex on James Street as part of the Warwickshire Open Studios Summer Art Weeks, and trail maps will be available from Wild and Free on Bank Street, from the 12th July.
The Rugby Yarn Bombers have other plans up their woolly sleeves with smaller events planned around Halloween, Christmas and Easter, all leading up to a much bigger event in 2027. Until then, we invite you to fall down the rabbit hole, come to Rugby, and share what you find.
