Young Blackburn resident crafts VE Day tribute

In a heartfelt tribute to the heroes of World War II, 20-year-old Aaminah from Blackburn has unveiled a vibrant crochet postbox topper to commemorate Victory in Europe (VE) Day.

The handmade creation, featuring miniature soldiers, red poppies, and red, white and blue trim, now adorns the postbox on King William Street capturing the attention and admiration of local residents.

Aaminah, who learned to crochet from her grandmother during the pandemic, spent several weeks designing and crafting the topper. Her work reflects a growing national trend of “yarn bombing,” where communities decorate public spaces with knitted or crocheted art to mark significant events. Similar initiatives have been seen across the borough and the rest of the UK, including tributes for Armed Forces Day and the D-Day anniversary.

Cllr John Slater, Armed Forces Champion and former Navy sailor, came to see the creation being installed and praised Aaminah’s dedication:

This is a touching reminder of the sacrifices made during the war. It’s inspiring to see younger members of our community engaging with history in such a creative way. Thank you to Aaminah for spending so much of your time to create this for all to see.

The topper has become a focal point for community reflection, with many residents stopping to admire the intricate details and share stories of their own family histories related to VE Day.

Aaminah hopes her work encourages others to learn about the significance of VE Day and to find creative ways to honour the past.

VE Day 80^th Anniversary commemoration events are taking place Thursday, May 8 outside Blackburn and Darwen Town Halls at 11am. Everyone is welcome to join in.

You too can share your own tributes by tagging us into your photos on our social media accounts or emailing a picture over to: prandcommunications@blackburn.gov.uk