A tree was given a multicolour makeover on Saturday (28) after an artist took to a village green to decorate it for charity.
Hana Early, of Redbourn, visited the village common in the early hours to ‘yarnbomb’ a tree - covering it in knitted patterns.
The textile artist recruited her close friends to knit and crochet various colourful patters to decorate the tree in yarn, which will be on display until June 11.
The exhibition is there to raise money and awareness for Tommy’s, a charity which funds research into the causes of miscarriage, stillbirth and premature birth, with more than £1,000 raised since Saturday.
The surprise display came following six weeks of work, and Hana spent three hours dressing the tree on Saturday from 4.15am with the help of her mother.
She said: “Some of my closest friends have lost babies, miscarried and have had stillborns and so I wanted this tree to be for them and for their loss.
“A baby born after a miscarriage or loss of a baby is referred to as a Rainbow baby and this rainbow tree remembers all babies born sleeping, or that we’ve carried but never met, those we’ve held but couldn’t take home, the ones that came home but didn’t stay.”
She continued: “I felt that the tree somehow represented the tree of life and therefore can mean different things to different people, but essentially the tree is something tangible that people can visit, they can spend time enjoying.
“While some are visiting to reflect on babies that they have lost and remember them and their hopes and dreams for them. This tree represents a lot for some individuals.”
Hana pointed out that the display was done with full permission and encouragement from the parish council and would not damage the tree.
She said: “Art can be so powerful and brings so much joy to everyday folk. It just proves you don’t need to go to a gallery, art is and must be accessible to all!”
She also took to Facebook with pictures of her tree and received a very positive response.
Hana added: “The response, the encouragement and donations given has been astounding and overwhelmingly amazing.”
If you would like to donate, click here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here