A NEW Forest church has continued its unique way to commemorate national events through the use of crotchet.

As the nation mourns Prince Philip, a quirky crochet version of the Duke of Edinburgh has joined other community art on Pennington Church’s hedge, to celebrate his life and service to the country.

The Pink Vicar, Revd Rachel Noël, speedily recreated him in crochet and included him in the artwork on the hedge.

Many people from across the community have been involved in making items across the last year included in projects on the hedge.

The project aims to help mental health across the community, giving a reason to keep going out for daily exercise, to see the new items on the hedge.

Pennington photographer Helen Renouf has been capturing photos as the project unfolds.

Helen said “Walk down the road to the chemist, school and pharmacy not only do you get to see a new art work has appeared, the amazing growing tree and the advent calendar last year.. items marking events as we emerge from lockdown.

"You get to see people stop, look and smile feeling proud they are part of something bigger.

"And everyday there is something to look forward too.”

Rev Rachel has led community crochet and knitting projects over the last year, including a 25ft Christmas tree and life size crochet nativity.

For VE75, local war veteran Bill Matthews was celebrated in crochet, and there was a full Easter story, including a crochet Ascension Day cloud and Jesus feet suspended from a tree.

Local school bubbles each created advent calendar boards to help the community countdown towards Christmas.

At the start of lockdown last March, there were more than 1,500 knitted and crochet items at the vicarage, preparing for an Easter yarnbomb.

These were used to spell out "Pennington Stands Together" on the hedge.