A blanket, which is approximately the size of a patio door, put together by local crafters to mark the King's Coronation, is to be presented to the Mayor of Erewash after its recent completion.
Lauren Amber and Nikola Nelson, who run Ilkeston's Creative Hive have led the initiative as part of wider group activities and with pride for the community.
A letter has been written to His Majesty to detail the blanket and how it will be housed in Erewash Museum along with a book featuring the names of all of the people who have taken part and visited.
The story began during lockdown when hairdressers Lauren and Nikola realised that many of their elderly clients struggled with isolation along with many others in the community, and that their mental health and well-being was suffering.
As a result, the safe and on-line Creative Hive was created where creatives could encourage and support each other. What they they did not realise or expect, was how quickly the group would grow with around 2,600 now participating and with demand, there is now a monthly craft fair, where members can showcase their handy work.
In their letter to the King, Lauren and Nikola explained how the group is based in Ilkeston and added that the town was once named in the Doomday Book, and is historically known for its industry, and said that the decline of local firms involved in this industry, coupled with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown led to spirits dropping to a low and communities drifting apart.
Explaining the impact of the group, the letter to Buckingham Palace said: "We can all remember how things used to be how each home supported the next with friendship and kindness the social gatherings and events that local employers and groups used to organise, so we wanted to find a way to bring back that sense of community and belonging we have succeeded in bringing local crafters together but wanted to do something to bring the wider community together."
After a conversation about warm spaces between resident knitter Dorothy Bexton and Nikola Nelson one day, they came up with the idea of producing a community blanket and spoke with Lauren Amber who was immediately on board and then local baker Sarah Malpass which led to excitement about putting out a call to the local community, via radio and press, for anyone to contribute a six by six inch square, of fabric, knitting crochet, embroidery, or sew on badges, paint, or anything that could be sewn together to generate a blanket to celebrate the coronation.
The finished blanket will be presented to the Mayor of Erewash on Friday 28th April at 11am where members of the Ilkeston community will also be invited to take part in and sign the accompanying book to mark this most historical moment.