I like to think of myself as good with my hands. I can draw and paint and pretty much sew anything you like out of fabric. However, I know my limits, and my limits are definitely anything to do with knitting or crochet.

Those of you with a long memory may remember the story of my ill-fated handmade Christmas many years ago. For the purpose of recap, let’s just say the hat I knitted my Dad had more in common with a sleeping bag than an item of headwear. So, it is with awe every year that I stand and appreciate the knitted post-box toppers that have become so much a feature of summer in Exmouth, and this year the lovely knitters have truly excelled themselves. Organised by Bryony Crump, the toppers don’t just look good, they do good - raising funds for Hospiscare. If you haven’t taken full advantage of the trail this year, make sure you head over to the dedicated website www.mailtrail.org.uk to buy a map and set out to find all 43 toppers.

An amazing feat of creativity, achieved by a group of volunteers coming together through something they love, to raise money for a charity close to everyone’s hearts. But the amazing doesn’t stop there. The toppers trail emerged from the Exmouth Yarn Bombers group meetings, which in themselves were another example of Exmouth’s community spirit at work.

It all goes back to the dark days of lockdown - which seem like a distant memory now, but I’m sure you’ll agree were a very scary time for many. Local legend Gillian Barrett could see how isolated people were and came up with the idea of a community knitting project. Quite simply, she suggested on the Exmouth Community page that people could make a 6” square which could be symbolically (and eventually physically) joined together. Some months later Gillian became the proud custodian of a 23’ x 11’ wall hanging, which is so large it’s never been properly displayed anywhere. Before long an informal arrangement was made for those who wanted to meet up at 10am in Ocean on a Monday morning. What started as a group of people who didn’t know each other is now a thriving community with people pitching in for different projects such as the Pride Arch or the Exmouth in Bloom display. The group is super welcoming - no rules, no leaders just people coming together to celebrate community and make a connection with others.

If this sounds like something you’d enjoy you’re more than welcome to drop in, and if anyone has any suggestions for somewhere large enough to display the Lockdown piece, Gillian would be most keen to hear from you. As for me, I’m waiting for the day they need post-box shrouds that reach the floor as I think that’s where my talents lie!