A Dalbeattie pensioner was present at the Royal unveiling of a special knitted installation.
Jessie Boardman contributed one of more than 9,000 squares which make up the patchwork mosaic at Dumfries House in Cumnock.
The 92-year-old is the oldest living person to take part in the project which Prince Charles came up with in an effort to get the world knitting and highlight the associated mental health benefits that practising the skill can bring.
And when The Duke and Duchess of Rothesay visited the historic property last week to officially unveil the artwork, Jessie was invited along.
So too was nine-year-old Sasha Bolt from Sanquhar, one of the younger contributors.
Knitters from as far afield as Tasmania and the USA made squares which were then sewn together by staff from The Prince’s Foundation, participants of the charity’s textiles programmes and prisoners from Cornton Vale Prison in Stirling as part of a rehabilitation initiative.
The patchwork is currently draped over the historic Adam Bridge at Dumfries House. It will later be dismantled into smaller blankets and distributed to charities in need.
Ashleigh Douglas, future textiles manager for The Prince’s Foundation, said: “It has been wonderful to see so many people come together to celebrate this dynamic craftform.
“Ayrshire was once home to a booming textile industry but lack of training in traditional techniques such as hand-knitting, sewing, pattern-cutting and weaving has led to a skills shortage in the area.
“Knitting is known to have multiple benefits for the mind and body including reducing depression and anxiety, relieving stress and helping improve motor functions.”
