Meet the Illuminated Flock!
Book your ‘Give as You Feel’ tickets to experience the flock of Illuminated Sheep after-hours on Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23, or Thursday 24 October, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
Find out moreNovember & December 2024 – Before planning your visit, please check our ‘Visitor Notices’ for accessibility updates and one-off changes to opening times. Click here to view.
Photos courtesy of Heaton Hookers, taken by Jonathan Buck
Newcastle Cathedral’s historic nave has been transformed by a unique and vibrant yarn bombing installation, an art form that enlivens public spaces with colourful, knitted and crocheted creations. Heaton Hookers, a local craft group, have infused their creative spirit into the columns, arches, seating, and other interior features ahead of our Harvest Festival on Sunday 20 October.
Founded in 2022, Heaton Hookers is a craft group from the East End of Newcastle dedicated to fostering friendships and community through their shared passion for crochet, knitting, and fibre arts. They were one of the community groups invited to decorate the cathedral’s life-sized model sheep – part of the flock that has made up the Illuminated Sheep Art Trail that spanned the route of Hadrian’s Wall over the summer– and asked if they could come back to do more.
Founded in 2022, the Heaton Hookers is a craft group from the East End of Newcastle dedicated to fostering friendships and community through their shared passion for crochet, knitting, and fibre arts.
They were one of the community groups invited to decorate the cathedral’s life-sized model sheep – part of the flock that has made up the Sheep Art Trail that spanned the route of Hadrian’s Wall over the summer – and asked if they could come back to do more.
The group’s Emma Fraser took to the Heaton Hookers Instagram page to say: “I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who has been involved in this project, donating their time, skills, energy and resources so generously over the last two months.
“This has been the most challenging, rewarding and life-affirming experience I’ve ever had, and I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many of you.”
The yarn bombing will be on display throughout October, including the Illuminated Sheep evenings on Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 October. This special event will showcase the full flock of 30 illuminated life-sized sheep, created by artist Deepa Mann-Kler and accompanied by a specially commissioned soundtrack. Inspired by the themes of light and pilgrimage in the Lindisfarne Gospels, the Illuminated Sheep have already appeared at some of the region’s most iconic locations.
The Very Reverend Lee Batson, Dean of Newcastle, comments: “We’re marking the Cathedral’s Harvest Festival service a little differently this year, with our Illuminated Sheep as an acknowledgement of our connection to Northumberland and its rich history of sheep farming.
“We wanted to do something a bit special that ties together wool and traditional skill themes – quite literally! The Heaton Hookers have embraced our values of sustainability and caring for the community by making sure the work can be re-purposed as winter warmers.”
Following the display period, the group plans to donate scarves and other creations to charitable causes, including Newcastle Foodbank and to members of the city’s homeless community, who regularly use the Cathedral as a place of sanctuary.
Book your ‘Give as You Feel’ tickets to experience the flock of Illuminated Sheep after-hours on Tuesday 22, Wednesday 23, or Thursday 24 October, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm.
Find out more