Talented health care worker Diane Walker has received a first class stamp of approval for a crocheted masterpiece celebrating the 75th anniversary of the NHS.
Diane, a team secretary at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, spent months crafting an intricate post box topper to mark the special occasion.
The design – which features a whole host of NHS staff as well as a stethoscope, ambulance and even a hospital polishing buffer – is now wowing the people of Thirsk.
“The NHS is close to my heart, and I wanted to represent everyone I could,” said Diane, who works in the Community Learning Disabilities team in Northallerton.
“It takes a whole team to keep the NHS going. Not just doctors and nurses, but secretaries, health care assistants, maintenance, psychologists and many others.
“I wanted to honour as many as possible. The NHS is such an amazing and inspiring institution, and I wanted to mark the special anniversary in a special way.”
Arts and crafts passion
Diane, who lives near Thirsk, took up crocheting just a few years ago and, together with her friend Andrea Maloney, has now created a whole host of crocheted marvels.
Their first public design marked the Queen’s Jubilee and featured Windsor Castle. It was placed on a local bench, so that children could sit and have tea with the Queen.
Other amazing designs created by the pair include:
- A spooky Halloween post box topper with a giant spider, Dracula’s coffin and a 4ft skeleton – as well as a skull and hands coming out of a nearby planter.
- A Christmas nativity scene – complete with stable – followed by a big basket of daffodils to mark Easter
- Almost life-sized figures of Charles and Camilla for the Coronation – together with a gold carriage and horse post box topper
“We don’t usually talk about what we do, we just set up our displays as a surprise. People really seem to like them, and get a lot of pleasure from them,” said Diane.
“I’ve always loved arts and crafts and find making things very therapeutic. It’s my wind down – I’ve always got a crochet hook in my hand and a project on the go.
“We are always planning new things, and I’ll be crocheting for months to make our next design. It’s worth it though – as it helps to put a smile on people’s faces.”
Creative challenges
Each project taken on by Diane and Andrea takes an astonishing amount of planning – including solving problems such as holding each structure and figure in place.
“It requires quite a bit of problem solving, some engineering and lots of inventiveness – otherwise things could be ruined if figures fall over when soggy or such like,” said Diane.
“We design and plan each figure, building or vehicle – right down to making sure it can balance properly on a post box. I never realised how complicated it could be!”
Celebrating the NHS
Although the designs can be tricky, Diane – who has worked for the NHS for almost six years after 30 years in the civil service – is delighted with the end results of her latest work.
“Everyone benefits from the NHS and we’ve had some great reactions. I think people are pleased to see something a bit different marking the anniversary,” she said.
“Our NHS doesn’t discriminate, it’s open to all. It has cared for generations of my family, and generations of people in Thirsk too. I think we are all proud of the NHS.”
