The competition received over 300 entries from schools, groups and individuals across the borough, all of whom expressed their ideas on the importance of local high streets and shopping safely, covering topics such as the importance of local high streets and shopping safely on the high street: wearing face coverings correctly; how to get to the high street safely; social distancing; smaller groups/reduced capacities; hygiene; being patient, respectful and kind.
Mrs Janette Gregg (Head Teacher at Gorsewood Primary School) & Miss Sam Oakley ( Year 2 Teacher & Creative Curriculum Lead) said “Gorsewood children were keen to take part in this exciting competition focusing on their local area. They thought carefully about how the important message about keeping safe could be promoted. We are delighted with their results and the children were justly proud of their hard work.”
The winners were selected by Joseph Venning, a contemporary painter who specialises in both large scale, wall mural commissions for business, schools, domestic and public spaces including those that can be seen in the Borough and Rachael Prime, Community Development Team and Hazlehurst Artist as well as Mia Ridehalgh Zine Project and John Bucknall., Halton Borough Council.
Judge, Rachel Prime Said “I was so pleased to be asked to be involved with this project and I was blown away by the creative solutions Halton’s young people developed, to help encourage the community safely back into our highstreets. The talent on show from the children and young people who entered was amazing and I can’t wait to see how they may grow their skills, building on their talents for the future.”
High Street Vouchers of £100 were awarded to 3 winners, and the judges praise all the entrants for their interpretation and talent, listing 10 entries as highly commended.
The winning artwork is on display now within the Joe Venning Mural in Runcorn Old Town, the Winners and Highly Commended are displayed at Widnes market and ALL winners, highly commended and entries are displayed at Culture HQ, Runcorn Shopping City from now until the 19th July.
Steph Kidd, Headteacher of Beechwood Primary school added “We couldn’t be prouder of the artwork created by all of the children, it’s lovely to have two of the winners and so many children’s work being highly commended by the judges. The arts are a vital part of the curriculum at Beechwood and to have this hard work celebrated means a lot to the whole school community.”
The Winners
Olivia Grace Davies – Year 6, Beechwood Primary School
£100 high street vouchers
Sophie Poland – Year 2, Beechwood Primary School
£100 high street vouchers
Ava Lawrence-Rimmer, Age 7
£100 high street vouchers
Highly Commended
James Jolleys – Age 5, Beechwood Primary School
Daisy Hives – Year 2, Beechwood Primary School
Jessica Romano – Year 4, Beechwood Primary School
Chloe Baker – Year 4, Beechwood Primary School
Arianwen Ap-Carreg – Year 5, Beechwood Primary School
Rennee Edwards – Year 1, Beechwood Primary School
Ciara O’Neill – Age 9, 17th St Lukes Brownies
Mason Sturge – Year 5, Gorsewood Primary School
Grace Sharp – Year 6, Gorsewood Primary School
Ava Morrissey – Year2, Gorsewood Primary School