PRINCE Charles worked with a Cumnock Rugby team to turn an art installation into blankets for homeless people.

He met those learning to knit parts of the project, including a rugby team.

On his visit to Dumfries House in Cumnock, on Sunday the Duke of Rothesay spoke to those helping create the 112m by 3m patchwork, including members of Cumnock Rugby Club, Boys’ Brigade and Brownie groups, school pupils and others taking part in craft classes.

The initiative is organised by his charity, The Prince’s Foundation, to promote training in sewing and textiles and bring communities together.

Once complete, the artwork will be installed on the A-listed Adam Bridge at the centre of the Dumfries House estate, then used to create smaller blankets to be donated to homeless people in Glasgow.

Ashleigh Douglas, who runs the Future Textiles education scheme at the venue, said: “We already engage with so many members of Ayrshire communities through our regular classes at Dumfries House, but it was so heartening to see even those with no previous experience in knitting getting to grips with it and contributing to what we hope will prove a significant and worthwhile piece of work.The aim was to encourage more people to knit and enjoy a wellbeing afternoon with the social interaction of like-minded people or to introduce people to a new craft.

“The group are knitting squares using a variety of techniques to allow beginners and advanced level knitters to work on the same project. These will all get joined together to create a community artwork that will form a textile installation on the Adam Bridge. The group has thoroughly enjoyed exploring colour, pattern, yarns and techniques.”

Contributions towards the artwork can be sent to Ashleigh by post to Future Textiles, Dumfries House, Cumnock, KA18 2NJ by the end of March.

Knitwise groups meet fortnightly at the Health and Wellbeing Centre on Dumfries House estate. School staff interested in finding out more about Future Textiles and other education programmes on the estate should email education@dumfries-house.org.uk

The chief objective of The Prince’s Foundation is to create harmonious communities. The charity aims to achieve this by developing and managing places to visit, running a diverse education curriculum for all ages with particular focus on traditional and heritage skills, and offering employment, most notably at its headquarters at Dumfries House in Ayrshire and in London.