Mosaics designed and made by local people and school children from across Haverhill will be officially unveiled on Wednesday and will take pride of place in a £460,000 enhancement project.
A series of mosaics created as part of a National Arts Extend Project have been set into the new planter installed in Jubilee Walk as part of the enhancement project carried out by St Edmundsbury Borough Council.
Suffolk County Council's Extended Schools Development Officer Marion Higgleton, who led the project, opened it up to pupils from schools in the town, its surrounding rural areas and the Glyders Youth Club after securing funding from the Arts Council of England and St Edmundsbury. Members of the U3A (University of the Third Age) Art Group and 'Activities for Pensioners', run by Haverhill Town Council, also took part.
The mosaics, some of which were made by children aged as young as 10-years-old, are based on the theme 'then and now,' and show images relating to Haverhill's past and present. One even shows a ghost train crossing over the viaduct.
Marion Higgleton, Extended Schools Development Officer for the Haverhill cluster, said:
"The Arts Extend Project has been taking place throughout July and the young people and community taking part have worked really hard and gained a real-life experience of what it takes to produce a piece of public art. The project has also proved an excellent opportunity to be part of history in the making that has both inspired and excited those who have taken part."
Cllr John Griffiths, Leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, said:
"We're delighted that Haverhill's young people and wider community have been given the chance to get involved in the Jubilee Walk project. They have created some truly unique mosaics which will make this already special scheme even more appealing."
ENDS
Note to editors: The schools which took part in the project are: Thurlow, Wickhambrook, Hundon, Clare, Kedington, Westfield and Coupals Primaries; Clare, Parkway, Castle Hill and Chalkstone Middles; Castle Manor and Samuel Ward Uppers. Also involved were Glyders Youth Club, which meets at the Burton Centre, members of the U3A Art Group and 'Activities for Pensioners,' run by Haverhill Town Council. Black and white Roman borders were made during an open workshop on the Market Square in the summer by members of the Haverhill public.
The National Arts Extend Project is designed to help promote arts and culture into extended schools. Extended schools provide a range of services and activities, often beyond the school day, to help meet the needs of children and the wider community.
ISSUED BY LIZ HEARNSHAW, COMMUNICATIONS UNIT, ST EDMUNDSBURY BOROUGH COUNCIL. Tel 01284 757033. liz.hearnshaw@stedsbc.gov.uk
