YOUNG ART PROJECT 2008. Our Young Art Representative, Viv Mills, has promoted a fascinating exercise in art, for a class of 10 to 11 year olds at a local school, Friarswood CP in Newcastle-under-Lyme. Having a previous contact with the school, she was told of an ongoing school project, which had established connection with a school in Goredema in Zimbabwe. Friarswood has set up regular contact with the Goredema school and its pupils, who are desperately in need of help. Money has already been raised and sent, to facilitate the construction of a roof on the classroom and books and stationary for everyday use have also been sent. Present efforts are devoted to raise £3,000 in order to provide electricity. Under the enthusiastic guidance of Mr Tony Selby, Headmaster, and Mrs Margaret Davies, whose class became directly involved, Viv made contact with a local artist, Philip Hardaker, to direct and help the Y6 children to produce a suitable piece of artwork, to commemorate their contact with the Goredema school. It took the format of a large ceramic wall mosaic in the shape of the continent of Africa. Funds from North Staffs DFAS were matched from the School and its PTA. Their work was unveiled at an afternoon school fete, where the children raised over £700. The plaque will remain in the school entrance hall.

A cheque was presented to Mr Philip Hardaker by Viv, and photographs were taken by the local newspaper to publicise the work of Friarswood school in the help and support for Goredema. The photographs below show what has been achieved.