By Kit Danks

A knit and natter group from Dorchester was recognised in a national competition.

The group of eighteen elderly ladies of the group live in sheltered housing at Sandringham Court in Dorchester, and have been knitting for charity for almost five years.

Recently the group came second in a national competition and won a hamper of wool.

Sheila Burton, who started the group in 2013, said: “One of our ladies uses Deramores for her wool, and entered us into their competition.

“There was to be one winner who would win money and a hamper of wool, but there were so many entries they decide to give three prizes and we came second, I couldn’t believe it.”

The ladies’ sales of knitted poppies have previously raised £200 for the British Legion, and knitted Easter chicks raised £400 for the Somerset and Dorset Air Ambulance.

Other items they make includes twiddle muffs, which are given to care homes looking after people with dementia to help calm anxious patients and give restless hands something to fiddle with.

Sheila added: “I try to choose a broad spectrum of charities to support – I feel very much about dementia because I used to care for my mum who had it.

“It might not be thousands of pounds, but every little helps – I did hear on the news a while back that knit and natter is becoming more popular, and if elderly people feel useful and sit with other people, then that’s good.”

The group meets twice a week, with a donation of £1 from each member going towards wool purchases, and tea and biscuits.

Sheila explained that some ladies just go along for a cup of tea and a chat if they’re a bit lonely, and others knit their own projects to keep.

She said: “All of our ladies have different levels of ability, some can knit a cardigan or a jumper, some can only knit a square, but it’s all so helpful.

“If someone wanted to join a group I’d say go for it, we’re always looking for new members, and it’s quite therapeutic, it’s a really good craft to have.”

You can follow the ladies’ knitting adventures at ‘Sandringham Court Knit and Natter Group’ on Facebook.