Free chicks are once again appearing in Bilton over Holy Week to bring some Easter magic to children.

Members of Bilton Grange United Reformed Church knit the chicks and leave them on the hedge outside the building each morning.

They will be appearing every day this week until Easter Sunday.

Children are welcome to take them for free.

The volunteers have run similar initiatives during other Christian festivals. For instance, they put out angels at Christmas and doves at Whitsun to spread joy.

The chicks are laid on the hedge at the junction of Skipton Road and Woodfield Road every morning until Easter Sunday.

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Members of Bilton Grange United Reformed Church pictured giving away the chicks last year.

A group of churchgoers in Bilton have knitted 330 Christmas angels in an effort to “cheer everyone up” this year.

The group, which attends Bilton Grange United Reformed Church on Woodfield Road, takes on the task of knitting angels every year.

Norma Trotter, one of the churchgoers, said the aim was to cheer people up during the festive period.

The angels will be placed on the hedge outside the church every day until the Sunday before Christmas.

Norma said:

“They’re sometimes gone within the first half an hour.”

Norma explained that they are sought after by the locals, asking if they can still have one after school when they are usually all gone.

She said:

“Some of the knitted angels have even ended up in Poland and North America.”

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Norma referred to her crafting group as “the natty knitters” as they come together every other Monday to get out of the house and catch up.

She added that the group may embark on another project at the church next year, which could make knitted fruit and veg for the harvest.

The Christmas angels will be free to take until Sunday, December 18.

Churchgoers in Bilton have delighted children each day during Holy Week by giving away free Easter chicks.

Members of Bilton Grange United Reformed Church have knitted 165 chicks and leave about 20 on the hedge outside the church each morning.

Each one contains a message saying, ‘Please take this free gift’.

The volunteers have run similar community-minded initiatives during other Christian festivals. For instance, they have put out angels at Christmas and doves at Whitsun to spread joy.

The gifts are knitted at their social gatherings.

Norma Trotter, who is one of the volunteers, said:

“There’s so many sad things going on in the world so we just hope it will raise a smile and make some children happy.

“It gives us pleasure to make them happy and it spreads the Easter message. If you do good you feel good.”

The chicks will appear on the hedge at the junction of Skipton Road and Woodfield Road every morning until Easter Sunday.

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