Seven swans a-swimming: WAY’s festive yarnbomb wings its way to Chester

December 2024

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WAY Widowed and Young’s creative community have been weaving their magic once again – braving Storm Darragh to bring Christmas cheer to Chester with a fabulous yarnbomb featuring seven handcrafted swans a-swimming.

Perched proudly on a postbox on Bridge Street in Chester’s historic city centre, the seven festive swans are already attracting attention and admiration from passers-by and on social media too. The installation is the latest creation from WAY’s crafting subgroup, blending creativity camaraderie – and a touch of mischief.

“We were on a mission to do it, and far too excited for a little thing like a storm to stop us!”

says Jodie, the chief creative mastermind behind these fabulous swans – and an earlier swan spectacle in Ambleside.

Building on the success of the first swan creation, the team couldn’t resist bringing their feathered friends to Chester, adding even more festive fun to the mix.

The seven swans a-swimming were unveiled during a weekend gathering of WAY members without children, who braved gusty weather to perch the swans in prime position in the centre of Chester. 

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“Our fingers were frozen by the end,” admits Jodie. “But it was so much fun! One of our members, Ailie, had to store the swans in her hood to keep them safe until they were ready to fly. And Keith dropped all the cable ties on the floor! It was chaos, but the best kind.”

The swans aren’t just spreading festive joy to the good folk of Chester. The yarnbomb comes with a tag explaining more about WAY’s work, including a QR code linking to our website. It’s a fun, creative way to raise awareness about the support WAY offers, helping those who are widowed at a young age find connection, understanding and friendship.

The swan’s story

WAY has used a swan as our logo since we were founded in 1997. The image of a serene swan paddling furiously beneath the water’s surface resonates deeply with our members across the UK, symbolising the balance between outward calm and inner resilience that often accompanies grief.

Local WAY member Tom shared how the charity has helped him: “Previously, the thought of joining a national support network was not for me. Yet I came across WAY just weeks after the sudden death of my partner, and it was exactly what I needed to share and hear from others who just ‘get it.’ Having that space to be able to connect with others – whether it’s when I am riding a grief wave or just catch-up with friends that I've made through WAY – has been an ongoing comfort and part of the healing.”

After the swans were safely fledged, a group of nearly 30 WAY members explored the city over the weekend, navigating Chester’s streets using the swans as a landmark.

“It was great catching up with old friends and seeing new members forming bonds,” she adds. “It reminds me of when I first joined WAY – those connections have been life-changing.”

For Jodie, crafting with WAY has brought laughter, joy, and a sense of purpose: “When you lose your partner, you lose your partner in crime for your niche hobbies. We loved walking together in nature, although it has to be said that Allan tolerated rather than enjoyed my crafting hobby – he felt forced to wear a Christmas jumper every year despite him hating wool because it had taken me six months to make!”

“WAY has lots of subgroups that can help you connect with like-minded people,” she adds. “One of those groups is a group for people who love crafts and walking. It was with this group that the idea to create the swans was born – I’ve made life-long friends in that group.”

Pictured (left to right): Keith, Jess, Ailie, Nicola and Jodie

So, if you’re in Chester this Christmas, look out for the seven swans a-swimming. They’re more than just woolly wonders – they’re a symbol of hope, resilience and the magic of community and peer support.