People in Bath and beyond have been crocheting roses to raise money for charity.
As part of Bath in Fashion, the city will be decorated with these brightly coloured roses, and for every one made Bath-based company Cloud Direct is pledging 10p to Kids Company - this year's Bath in Fashion nominated charity.
For the past two months, Emma Leith has been holding regular workshops, showing people how to make the roses. But not only have they led to thousands of the blooms being made, but the workshops have also brought people together and lifted their hearts as Ben Franks finds out.
"We must have made over 2,000 roses," said crochet guru Emma.
Before I can flip open my notepad, Emma is already cheerily introducing me to the people of all ages around her and they all shake my hand with their own beaming smiles.
A moment before, I hadn't known what to expect. It was the first time I had ever been to Carluccio's restaurant and I know very little about crochet. Yet I felt welcome as soon as I walked in. The large Italian restaurant felt alive and homely. A group of people of all ages were chatting and laughing over a pool of vibrant colours, fuelled by a supply of coffee and pastries.
This was the final session and nearly 40 people's fingers were eagerly threading away with balls of yarn.
Emma's project began earlier this year to create hundreds of crochet roses for the Bath in Fashion 2014 festival, which are to go up all over city. For each rose made Cloud Direct, a company based in Bath, will donate 10p to Kids Company, Bath in Fashion's nominated charity.
Eliza Rawlings, managing director of Cloud Direct said: "We're really glad to be supporting Kids Company in such a positive and beautiful way. Hopefully our support will in some small way help empower these children, and help them see there's more in them."
However, for a lot of those attending a good cause is a good excuse to make new friends, open up and get creative.
Angela Hyde, from Bristol, heard about the workshops through the Bath Chronicle Weekend Magazine and she has been commuting to Bath for the events ever since.
"The atmosphere is just buzzing," Angela said. "I've met some great people and I have been lucky enough to go to some beautiful places."
The events have taken attendees to the stunning Royal Crescent Hotel - Bath in Fashion's main sponsor, The Porter and the stylish Carluccio's.
"All the hosts have been lovely. We've had homemade biscuits and I even bought my Easter eggs from Carluccio's – and I'd never been before!"
Sheila Jones agreed: "I've loved coming and doing our little bit, meeting new friends and enjoying the community vibes. We've even been taking it home and some have been bringing in bags full of roses!"
Dawn Carroll, a local author who had come along due to unusual appeal of the event, described it as "being full of amazing energy." She loved how much energy was going into raising money for charity.
Most touching of all was Jayne De Vaux Duggan's story. Jayne, who suffers from Fibromyalgia, a condition which leaves you feeling fatigued and in pain, said ordinary day-to-day activities had been difficult.
"Coming here has shown me a true community," Jayne said. "It transforms people – it's transformed me."
Jayne is involved with Fibromyalgia Awareness (FMA) and is hoping more people will learn about the condition on May 12, which is FMA's national awareness day. She said events like Emma Leith's workshops have been invaluable, allowing her to open up and talk about it.
"Events like this inspire you to make the extra effort and it really helps keep you social. It can be quite a lonely thing, having Fibromyalgia, but activities like this stop that feeling creeping in.
"Best of all I've been able to talk about the condition, because there's so much understanding at a community group like this."
When I asked her how many roses she had made she estimated it was near one hundred before Emma protested it was even more and cheerfully congratulated her. Even as a bystander I felt eager to jump in and get involved, which is testament to Emma's passion and inspiration.
Another lady, Patricia, agreed. "You walk in here and everyone is so valued. You have got to give Emma thanks for that, she's been so enthusiastic.
The final lady I spoke to was an inspiration. Pat Bull, who sadly lost her son recently, had never thought to go along to something like Emma's workshop until her daughter's friend suggested it.
"It's been very therapeutic," she said. "There's always a lovely atmosphere and it's lovely to know you're giving something back too. I've been stimulated in my creativity; the installation is going to look great."
Pat, Jayne and many more of the ladies are keen to nab Emma after its all finished and keep the workshops going.
"Nobody wants it to end," Emma beamed.
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