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Yarn bombers have a ball with Cinderella display

The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters Cinderella and Prince Charming knitted, showing Cinderella in a white dress and ringlets in her hair. She is standing by a red carpet on stairs, next to Prince Charming, who is kneeling down. There are two Christmas trees to the side. The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters
Cinderella really did go to the ball in Hertford

A group of 150 yarn bombers said its latest creation was its most "magical, breathtaking and magnificent" display yet.

The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters has unveiled its latest work, based on the Cinderella fairy tale, in the middle of town.

Over months the group created Prince Charming's castle complete with 2,000 knitted bricks, a drawbridge, towers, 22 individually completed scenes, 42 dancers and two "scoundrels" named Liam and Noel.

Melanie Delaney, one of its members, said the group had "never done anything like this before", and it was about bringing joy to the community and raising funds for the Hertfordshire Breast Unit Appeal.

The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters A woman in a knitted blue dress sitting down, with a man on his knees proposing to her. He is wearing a black tuxedo. There is a knitted ginger cat to the right and a Christmas tree with mice on it. The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters
The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters Two knitted dancers completing a lift. The woman is wearing a pink dress and has curly hair. The man is holding her up from her waist. You can see lights behind and a wall. The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters
A marriage proposal was recreated, complete with a sparkling ring
Nobody puts Baby in the corner - even the lift from Dirty Dancing was created

Ms Delaney said since 2017 the group had created a number of displays, including Olympic, Remembrance and Coronation scenes, with every one getting "bigger and better every time".

She said over the past week the group had been "teasing" the town, with a number of clues placed when the town's tree was erected on 13 November.

"We've placed bells out of recycled bottles, clocks, mice crawling up the tree and invitations."

The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters Four women, smiling and looking straight at the camera, in the middle of Hertford. Three are wearing high-vis jackets, and one woman in the middle has a black beret on. A Christmas tree is behind them and a lorry is putting it in place. You can see shops behind and a monument. The Secret Society of Hertford Crafters
Members of the Secret Society of Hertford Crafters were on hand to place "clues" around the town

Ms Delaney said the main display appeared on Wednesday and showed an "entire castle ballroom scene surrounding the tree, with dancers at the ball".

The theme was chosen to mark the pantomime Cinderella being performed at the town's newly reopened BEAM theatre.

"It's a site to behold - we've knitted 2,000 bricks, complete with 22 vignettes, with 42 dancers, all individually made, with one couple celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary.

"It's the biggest ballroom scene. We've never done anything like this.

"People love seeing our creations. It brings joys and raises community spirit and funds.

"This display is the most magical and magnificent one we've done so far, it's breathtaking."

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