Record bid clicks with Portsoy knitters

A PORTSOY group has knitted a mammoth 3,800 squares which they have donated to a charity as part of its attempt to break a world record.

The Bothy Knitters have spent countless hours creating 38 blankets and given them to Alzheimer Scotland, which is attempting to beat the record for the largest hand-knitted blanket, which currently stands at 557 square metres.

The Portsoy group’s effort was bolstered by 90-year-old Dorothy Pointing, who knitted more than 800 squares for the cause.

Alzheimer Scotland wants to create a blanket measuring 710 square metres, made up of 71,000 squares, representing the number of people in Scotland in 2010 who suffered from dementia.

This record attempt is aimed at raising awareness of the illness, and encouraging people to pass on the skill of knitting to someone they know.

Alzheimer Scotland manager Janice Caine said: "We have had a fantastic response, and the Portsoy Bothy Knitters have done an amazing job."

Anyone with knitted squares who would like to donate can contact Ms Caine by calling (01261) 819066 or by e-mail at: JCaine@Alzscot.org, who will arrange collection.

The group are also holding a pub quiz at Banff’s Ship Inn at 7pm on Friday, May 11. Anyone who would like to donate a raffle prize should contact Ms Caine at the above number.