A VOLUNTEER has worked hard to breathe new life into Preston Tower and doo'cot, one knitted pigeon at a time.
Eileen Bonnington, from Wallyford, has hand-crafted a staggering 116 pigeons to be displayed across the 17th-century doo'cot and grounds following a £1.1 million renovation of the historic site, which is now in the running for a prestigious architecture award.
The project, led by Friends of Preston Tower, invited knitters and crocheters to help fill the doo'cot with colourful handmade birds following its reopening in August 2024.
Since then, donations have flown in from across the country and more than 462 original nesting boxes have been filled with knitted pigeons.
Eileen, also a volunteer with Prestonpans Beach Clean and Musselburgh Street Clean, said she "hates being idle" but never expected to make more than 100 pigeons when she first picked up her knitting needles.
The 71-year-old grandmother said: “When I first started, I thought I would only be doing one or two, but little did I know at the time that there were so many spaces to be filled.
"I really enjoy doing them and thought I would carry on until I had no wool left; however, I have just carried on.
"I set my target at 100 but think now my target should be 200.
"So much of my life has been involved with young children and I feel that they would get real pleasure seeing the doo'cot full."
The grandmother said that, after seeing the initial call for knitters, she thought it would be a “wonderful thing to do”.
She explained that she enjoyed knitting in the evenings while watching TV and felt a particular connection to Prestonpans, having worked at Preston Tower Nursery before retiring.
Friends of Preston Tower are now launching a 'Name the Pigeon' sponsorship scheme.
Supporters can name one of the knitted birds for a small fee and receive a photograph and information card about their chosen pigeon.
All funds raised will go toward future restoration and community projects at the doo'cot.
