As the Red Roses return to Allianz Stadium this weekend, we wanted to share news of a recent addition to the collection. This fabulous postbox decoration was made by the Whitton Woolies to celebrate women's rugby ahead of the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
In recent years, the England women's rugby team has embraced crochet as a calming hobby during their downtime between training sessions. Abby Dow, Tatyana Heard and Hannah Botterman formed their own "Red Roses Crochet Club", and in June 2025, with a home World Cup approaching, England Rugby called on the nation to take part in Yarn Art Installation projects near them. Rugby-themed yarn art soon started appearing in each of the tournament's host cities.
The Whitton Woolies are a community craft group who knit and crochet seasonal decorations for postboxes and railings in the area around Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. Their projects to date have included themes such as Christmas, Remembrance Day and Halloween. With the Rugby World Cup final being played at the stadium on their doorstep, the group decided to make a series of Red Roses-themed decorations. In July and August 2025, they met at Whitton Community Centre to make bunting, tree decorations and postbox toppers that would put smiles on faces and get the local community talking about women's rugby.
Bunting featuring red roses was installed on railings opposite Twickenham Station, and outside nearby Kneller Hall. Strings of red roses were wound around the trees outside and opposite the stadium, while nine postbox toppers - each a slightly different design - appeared on postboxes from Whitton High Street to London Road, Twickenham. The topper donated to the World Rugby Museum features a rugby ball, rugby posts and a rugby player, all encircled by a ring of red roses. It was installed on a double postbox outside the Post Office in Whitton.
The Whitton Woolies began in April 2024, when Jennifer Rutherford started a group that would spread joy through creative art and encourage friendship through crafting. She recognised the health and wellbeing benefits of knitting and crochet - creative outlets that reduce stress, boost mental health, and foster a sense of connection. Her craft group would be a place where people could connect, share, and feel less alone. Their work is supported by the council, the stadium, local businesses and Whitton Community Centre; they have been nominated for a Community Hero Award and invited for tea with the local mayor. Following a recent stroke, Jennifer has handed over the reins to other members of the group, and the yarn installations continue, with the group meeting regularly at Whitton Community Centre and St Augustine's Church.
The decorations remained in place throughout the tournament. Following the Rugby World Cup final, the postbox toppers were removed and dried, and the museum is delighted to have received one for the collection. It is representative of the way the local community came together to celebrate women's rugby during a record-breaking tournament.
