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Knitted elephants honour zoo icon

Kidlington Women's Institute Knitted elephants of multiple colours in a cardboard storage boxKidlington Women's Institute
Kidlington Women's Institute has made more than 80 felt elephants

A team of knitters have created more than 80 woollen elephants in tribute to the animal which has become a mascot of the community.

The project, by Kidlington Women's Institute (WI), pays homage to Rosie the elephant who was the largest draw at the short-lived Oxford Zoo in Kidlington - it opened in 1931 but closed six years later.

The group made the decorations during August and September and have hidden them in the local area for residents to find and keep.

Lorna McCall, from the group, said: "If they do nothing more than bring a smile to faces then it has been worth doing."

Kidlington & District Historical Society A black and white image of Rosie the elephant. She is standing sideways on to the camera, looking to the right of the cameraKidlington & District Historical Society
Rosie died while in captivity, and according to Kidlington & District Historical Society, she is "widely rumoured to be buried somewhere in the near vicinity"
Kidlington Women's Institute A knitted pink, purple, white and grey elephant resting on a table with a piece of paper with notes onKidlington Women's Institute
Rosie was the largest draw at the short-lived Oxford Zoo in Kidlington

Each item comes packaged with a note saying: "I am not lost. Rosie Elephant is a gift to you from Kidlington Women's Institute".

Ms McCall admitted the WI's membership had more than halved since the Covid-19 pandemic and that the Rosie project was a way to entice new members.

Rosie died while in captivity and according to local legend is thought to be buried somewhere in the vicinity of the village roundabout, which is the site of a Rosie the elephant statue.

Kidlington Women's Institute A knitted elephant attached to a street sign for Croft AvenueKidlington Women's Institute
The elephant decorations have been hidden around Kidlington for people to find and keep

Ms McCall, 70, has lived in Kidlington all of her life.

She said: "The fact that Rosie existed in this zoo is something for us all to feel proud of."

She said she had collected elephants as a youngster as a result.

"Rosie is such a symbol of identity for Kidlington," Ms McCall said.

She added it felt appropriate for the WI too, because "elephants live in a matriarchal society which I think is a nice link to us".

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