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England’s Lane Crochet Team: Liz Finegold, Catty Hannam, Caroline Chan, Lucy Telfer and Mey Jansen
NEIGHBORS in England’s Lane have teamed up to weave their latest arrival into the fabric of the community – a phoenix called Joaquin.
Crafty crocheters helped knit the resplendent red bird that sits atop a postbox near the junction with Primrose Gardens, above a knitted base of sunflowers.
The group meets for a weekly craft session at Belsize Library, Antrim Grove on Wednesdays. The current installation is their third, having created one in March with sunflowers and the word “peace” around the edges after the invasion of Ukraine.
Caroline Chan, who is part of the group, said they had hoped to brighten up the neighborhood and that Joaquin represented a revival of previous attempts which had been sabotaged by vandals.
She added: “It’s really good to do something that brings people together. It’s like you’re connecting with the local neighborhood. We hope it sparks some thoughts or a conversation. You’re never going to please everyone. world, but at least 90% of people say how beautiful and beautiful it is when they say that.
Joaquin Phoenix, named after the parenthood and Joker actor
“I always prepare something, I do something. I’m involved in different things, and we started when Ukraine was invaded. I just thought if it could send a message, get people thinking and talking, then it was worth it.
Ms Chan has been running music lessons for children and babies for 25 years, and her son Oliver recently helped set up ‘talking benches’ in Chalcot Square. A group of 15-20 people at the Wednesday lunchtime sessions helps bring them together, although the weekly club is suspended until the end of the summer.
The bird was named after the Hollywood actor of the same name, to help people deduce that it was a phoenix.
Ms Chan, 64, said: ‘I just couldn’t let go, and I just couldn’t let people destroy things and not respond. It’s heartbreaking to hear that someone destroyed it. Most people asked why I would do it again, but it’s important to replace it and make sure people don’t get away with it.
“The sessions are great because it’s like recreation for adults. You get a project, like doing something like Joaquin, but you also have the social aspect of people talking while they crochet and that helps people tremendously.
