King Charles III Coronation: Hertford yarn-bombers depict themselves

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Secret Society of Hertford Crafters topperImage source, Philippa Robertson
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The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters have made a postbox topper which shows members of the group putting up a topper

A group of crocheters have created nearly 40 coronation postbox toppers including one of themselves attaching a topper to a box.

The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters have made 37 royal-inspired creations over 14 weeks for pillar boxes in Hertford and Ware.

They also include portrayals of King Charles III, the Queen Consort and the Gold State Coach.

Marge Ellis, from the society, said: "People's imaginations have gone wild."

Image source, Secret Society of Hertford Crafters
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The Coronation ceremony itself has been crafted in crochet

Image source, Secret Society of Hertford Crafters/PA Media
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The society said it wanted to look at the King and what made him happy - hence a topper of the King and Queen Consort at Balmoral

The craft group, which has an age range of 19 to 99, have made toppers in Hertfordshire's county town based on five themes: coronation, celebration, the King, community and conservation.

"We thought it might be nice to actually look at King Charles himself and who he is and what he does and what makes him happy," Mrs Ellis said.

"So we've got his Jack Russell dogs and we've got the King fishing."

Image source, Secret Society of Hertford Crafters/PA Media
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Conservation is represented by the Black Cornish Bee project which the King is known to support

Image source, Simon Rice-Oxley
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The ceremonial crown, orb and sceptre can also be seen

The King's interests are also represented with him at Balmoral, in his garden at Highgrove and sailing.

She added that for the conservation theme, someone found out that Charles was keen on the Black Cornish Bee project.

References to local communities, charities and volunteering can also be found including one of the society itself as it is a fundraising group.

"I love it, I have to say," Mrs Ellis said.

"And I am even on it."

Money raised from the toppers, which will also eventually be auctioned, will go towards the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust, which is also referenced.

Image source, Simon Rice-Oxley
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The King and Queen Consort will travel back from the ceremony in the Gold State Coach

Image source, Secret Society of Hertford Crafters/PA Media
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The money raised from the postbox toppers will go towards the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance Trust

The group has also yarn-bombed the Priory Gates in Ware with a large golden King Charles crown, cypher, red, white and blue flowers, and flowers representing the four UK nations - roses, daffodils, thistles and shamrocks.

"It's not just a case of putting a topper on a postbox, it's a way of making people happy and it's a way of life," Mrs Ellis said.

"One woman said she was excited about the Coronation because of our toppers, it's fantastic, and some have even had tears in their eyes, which sets me off."

Image source, Philippa Robertson
Image caption,

The group has also yarn-bombed the Priory Gates in Ware with a large golden King Charles crown, cypher and flowers

Image source, Simon Rice-Oxley
Image caption,

The Gold State Coach waits outside Westminster Abbey

Image source, Secret Society of Hertford Crafters
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The Commonwealth is also featured amongst the 37 toppers

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