Calendar launched to knit the community together

A CALENDAR recalling the Knitting the Community Together project, which earlier this year saw the town’s sculpture trail dressed in knitted items created by volunteers, has been launched at the Clare Volunteer Centre.
Volunteers and supporters who got involved in the project from Cahercalla, Carrigoran, ClareCare, Clare Haven Services, Caring for Carers, Clare Youth Service, Clarecastle Daycare Centre, Clare Crusaders, Cystic Fibrosis Clare branch, Kilmaley Day Centre and Stella Maris Day Centre came together at the Clare Volunteer Centre on the Kilrush Road to launch the calendar recently.
The limited edition calendar features colour photographs of the dressed sculptures on the Ennis Sculpture Trail that were part of the National Day of Volunteering event, organised by the Clare Volunteer Centre on the September 30. Eleven well-known sculptures were dressed in knitted items from Clare jerseys to knitted hats to bow ties and headdresses.
The idea behind the project was to showcase how vibrant and closely knit the communities are, explained Sharon Meaney, co-ordinator of the Clare Volunteer Centre.
“The groups had three weeks to come up with creative ideas on how to dress their allocated sculpture and even though the timeline was tight, the knitted items that were produced were absolutely amazing.
“The project would not have been possible without the commitment and hard work of the groups and volunteers. The project was a huge success and it was felt by all a real celebration of Clare volunteers. Clare County Council and Ennis Town Council supported the project, enabling us to publish enough calendars to present each group with 50 calendars.”
At the presentation of the calendars, the groups got the opportunity to see some of the additional 600 images, which had been taken by Helen McQuillan, volunteer photographer.
“Helen really captured the good humour and enthusiasm of the day, which was not dampened by the heavy rain. The feedback from the groups and members of the public who got to see the decorated sculptures was overwhelmingly positive and this is something we will be thinking of doing again for next year’s National Day of Volunteering,” said a delighted Ms Meaney.