Local Crochet Queen recognised at Palace

Erewash residents may remember Jilly Crofts, who made and kindly donated a life-size crochet statue of a soldier to Erewash Museum. The 6ft statue was created for Remembrance Day and took 200 hours to make. It went on to form part of the Yarns of Valour exhibition at Erewash Museum in 2024, and now permanently resides on the first floor of the museum.

Jilly was nominated to receive the invitation to the Garden Party by the Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire, Elizabeth Fothergill, CBE and attended the party on 20 May 2025.

The Garden Parties have become a way to recognise people who work to support their community. Attendees eat, drink, hear music from two live military bands and get to enjoy the Palace gardens, as well as having a chance of speaking to a Member of the Royal Family.

When asked about the experience, Jilly said: “I was nominated in October 2024 and knew I’d find out if I could go by the end of January, so when it came through at the very end of January, I squealed!

“Who would have guessed back in November 2023 my woolly crocheted creation would culminate with me attending a Buckingham Palace Garden Party!

“You can only go once now so it really is a once in a lifetime experience. I saw Kate and William about 4 feet away. We were standing on the front row near the tent where the Members of the Royal Family had their tea, and we got to see them come out for the national anthem. 

“It was lovely. It really spurs you on to keep crocheting!”

Erewash Borough Council’s Deputy Leader Becca Everett, who is the Lead Member for Community Engagement, said: “The crochet soldier that Jilly created touched the hearts of people across our borough and beyond when it was put on display for Remembrance Day in 2023.

“It is lovely to see that her efforts to create the statue and the impact she has had on our community have been recognised through this invitation to the Buckingham Palace Garden Party.”