A PROJECT to create rugby-themed crochet pieces for an exhibition ahead of this year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup has enjoyed some creative input from Exeter’s Lord Mayor and Deputy.

Lord Mayor Cllr Anne Jobson and her Deputy, Cllr Gemma Rolstone, joined volunteers from across Exeter and Devon to help prepare for an exhibition of rugby-themed yarn art.

The exhibition is being held at Exeter’s historic Guildhall on Wednesday, August 27 to celebrate the global sporting event coming to the city. The exhibition is part of the nationwide Red Roses Yarn Art initiative from England Rugby.

The Women’s Rugby World Cup starts on August 22, with Sandy Park hosting seven games, including two quarter-finals. As a result, the city will welcome players and fans from nine countries as Exeter is put on the international stage.

Earlier this summer, crochet enthusiasts were asked to make rugby-inspired pieces for the exhibition at the Guildhall and Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM).

More than 200 members of the public popped in to find out what was happening and Lord Mayor Cllr Anne Jobson was seen sat down on the Guildhall floor creating pieces for the exhibition. Deputy Lord Mayor Gemma Rolstone helped out serving teas and coffees and one of the Mace Sergeants got involved with the designs too.

The pillars outside the Guildhall are set to be decorated for the exhibition. The outer pillars will be wrapped in granny squares, designed to form three roses with green stems surrounded by white. The inner two pillars will feature silk roses attached to a green crocheted ‘vine’, representing the individual players. Each pillar will have 16 roses on them.

Organisers have created lengths of bunting with roses sewed into them. These will be hung outside the building, including the balcony, creating a colourful display.