Colourful displays of yarn art celebrating the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 coming to Exeter have been unveiled in the city.
Crocheters and knitters from across Exeter and Devon came together to create rugby-themed art in two key locations in the city.
Lord Mayor of Exeter, Cllr Anne Jobson, officially launched the artwork at Exeter’s historic Guildhall and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery (RAMM).
The displays feature rugby-inspired yarn art, including metres of bunting and Red Roses, celebrating the England Women’s team, known as the Red Roses.
Even Exeter’s famous Gerald the Giraffe got in on the act and will be wearing a colourful scarf at the RAMM, alongside his elephant friend! The artwork, on the pillars of the Guildhall and inside the museum will stay up throughout the tournament for people to see.
The displays are part of the nationwide Red Roses Yarn Art initiative from England Rugby.
The Women’s Rugby World Cup runs until 27 September, with Sandy Park hosting seven games, including two quarter-finals. As a result, the city has welcomed players and fans from nine countries as Exeter is put well and truly on the international stage.
Making pieces for the displays started earlier this summer, as crochet enthusiasts were asked to get creative and come up with rugby-inspired pieces.
Among those taking part have been individuals and community groups, including residents from Exeter’s Extra Care Home, Edwards Court.
Caroline, a Media Studies and Journalism lecturer at Exeter College, even made a yarn version of Claudia Moloney-MacDonald, rugby union scrum-half and winger who plays for the England national team and club rugby for Exeter Chiefs Women.
And Holly, a member of the Women’s Institute (WI) in the city, created 32 silk red roses, to represent each player, which will be wrapped round the Guildhall’s pillars.
Even the Lord Mayor Cllr Jobson and her Deputy Cllr Gemma Rolstone got involved, decorating the Guildhall in advance of the display.
Cllr Duncan Wood, Lead Councillor for Leisure Services & Healthy Living, said it was great to see so many people coming together: “Events like the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 bring communities together. The rugby is exciting but it’s events like the yarn exhibition that bring so many people together, not just rugby fans but those who want to make a difference to the atmosphere and togetherness of the city.”
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