Spoonville brings winter cheer to Middleton beach

It is as simple as spoons on a fence, but it is already dishing out spoonfuls of happiness for people in Albany.

Spoonville has been established on a vacant block at the corner of Adelaide Crescent and Marine Terrace in Middleton Beach, and new residents are moving in every day.

The Southern Salties, a local group who swim at Middleton Beach every morning, decided to create the spoon village to spread a little bit of winter cheer during a very unusual year.

Southern Salties’ Mary-Jane Gibbs said they had seen a Spoonville story from England and wanted to bring it here to make people smile in a way that would not breach COVID-19 restrictions.

“It was created to improve people’s mental health in lockdown, particularly children,” she said. “It is a strong community here at Middleton Beach and it’s nice to give families and visitors something to smile about.

“People have been getting really creative and doing celebrities and politicians. Let’s create some winter joy for people.”

Anyone is invited to decorate a wooden spoon and hang it on the fence.

Passersby are asked not to touch the spoons for hygiene reasons.