Secret Hartlepool yarning group spreads joy with new pop-up display

The large display on Northgate has been created by Heugh Yarners in the Community who describe themselves as yarn guerillas.

The anonymous craft makers say they hope to raise a smile and bring some entertainment to the community.

A member of the group told the Mail: “We started off as a couple of disgruntled people who felt we wanted to help our community but couldn’t really find an outlet that was fulfilling enough.

“Hartlepool gets such a bad rap from both without and within the town, this was a way of us showing there are plenty of people who want to tell a different story.

“Using what skills we have we wanted to promote a positive message which we hoped would just make people stop and smile if nothing else.”

Many of their latest pieces have been inspired following the recent shocking Manchester and London terrorist attacks and aim to spread the messages of love, peace and hope.

The member added: “For our latest venture we had been thinking about the anniversary of the murder of the MP Jo Cox and wanted to commemorate that.

“Halfway through what we were doing the Manchester attack and the London attacks happened and we felt it was even more important to show we can’t be divided by fear.

“And hope for a better future is what we all want at the end of the day.”

The group have been together for two years and say they have had very positive reactions from people who see their work.

They often ask for donations from the public such as poppies, forget me nots which they incorporate into their work.