Jenny Wren’s Yarns wins regional title

Award winners Jenny Wren's Yarns, of St Peter's Street. Lois Mickleburgh and her mum Sue Newbery (Image: Archant)

Family business Jenny Wren’s Yarns, in St Peter’s Street - is a winner.

The independent wool and craft shop, which is run by Lois Mickleburgh with the help of her mum, Sue, was voted top independent yarn shop in the South East of the country in a nataional poll.

The competition, run by magazine, Let’s Knit, saw craft shops and stores across a region that included London, nominated and then voted for by customers.

Lois Mickleburgh said: “We are absolutely thrilled.

“This is the first time we have been nominated and we were up against some tough opposition, including London businesses, with a lot of customers and followers. They have a massive following,

“We have to say a big thank you to our customers for voting for us.”

Jenny Wren’s Yarns has been open for three-and-a-half years now, and it is part of a revival of interest in traditional crafts and making unique items.

Sue Newbery said: “It is lovely to receive a gift somebody has made especially for you. It is also very rewarding to make things.”

They received the award at a special ceremony at Alexandra’s Palace which was part of the Knitting and Stitching Show.

“There were a lot of awards, including best designer, best pattern and yarn maker.a

“It was nice meeting the other independent store owners too. We had a clean sweep for East Anglia with the runner-up in our award from Cambridge and third place going to Braintree.”

Sue is also part of the craft group responsible for the Yarn Bomb decorations in the street earlier in the year, which were so impressive.

“It went very well and coincided with Pigs Gone Wild which was great for the town, and brought so much interest here.”

“It was lovely, it was a great community effort and we had visitors who had come here, for Pigs Gone Wild, from all over the country.

“The town must do it again.”