Margaret Seaman, a 93-year-old knitting enthusiast, has revealed her latest and, she claims, final woollen creation at a craft exhibition: an 8ft (2.4m) x 5ft (1.5m) knitted representation of Buckingham Palace. The Caister-on-Sea resident and great-great-grandmother believes this masterpiece will be a suitable follow-up to her impressive Sandringham House model.
Mrs. Seaman has raised £100,000 for various causes thanks to her knitting skills. She described her work on the palace as “so uplifting.” The elaborate replica took eight months to complete and is now on display at the Norfolk Makers’ Festival at The Forum, Norwich. Visitors have admired her handiwork, which she finished between two eye surgeries.
The great-grandmother of 13 is delighted by the reactions to her creation, even if the attention has left her a little hoarse. Mrs. Seaman’s efforts even caught the attention of the Queen in 2021 when she visited the Sandringham House replica that Mrs. Seaman had spent two years crafting.
Her daughter, Tricia Wilson, 74, expressed immense pride in her mother’s talent and charisma. After her husband passed away, Mrs. Seaman began making knitted models with a fundraising group. Her creations have benefited the Louise Hamilton Centre in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk’s NHS hospitals, and local causes.
In December, Mrs. Seaman received the British Empire Medal for her charitable work, and she estimates she has raised around £100,000 through group and individual projects. Although her Sandringham Estate model is still displayed in Birmingham, Mrs. Seaman has decided to retire her knitting needles after completing the Buckingham Palace replica, citing her diminishing eyesight.
As she concludes her knitting career, Margaret Seaman’s final masterpiece, the knitted Buckingham Palace replica, will help raise funds for a new children’s hospice at Addenbrooke’s Hospital. The intricate and detailed work has drawn admiration and awe from many Norfolk Makers’ Festival visitors.
Seaman’s remarkable talent and dedication to her craft have brought joy to countless people who have seen her creations and made a significant difference through her fundraising efforts. Her impact on various charitable causes, especially her commitment to healthcare institutions in her community, has been noteworthy.
Although she’s hanging up her knitting needles, Mrs. Seaman’s legacy will live on through her magnificent creations, undeniable talent, and considerable financial contributions to various causes. Her work is a testament to the power of creativity, passion, and determination to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
