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Festival sculpture makes a grand entrance
THE movers and shakers of tomorrow danced and drummed their way through the Sir Harold Hillier Gardens at Ampfield to celebrate the launch of the Festival Youth Arts Project.
The stainless steel Festival Arch, a grand entrance in the form of natural plants, was opened at the Hillier Education Garden. It was created with the help of more than 400 local schoolchildren, under the guidance of resident artist, Elizabeth Hodgson.
A Romsey Arts Festival initiative, it was co-ordinated by Gordon Clark and Jan Lefley, from Mountbatten and Romsey community schools, and the education team at Hillier Gardens.
Festival chairman, Malcolm Creese and Cupernham Infants pupil, Dylan Lewis, cut the ribbon across the archway before a procession of all the children went through.
Pupils from six primary schools, with senior school students, were invited for workshops in dance, music, costume design and art. With their new-found skills, they devised an environmentally-friendly performance for guests and visitors before the arch sculpture was unveiled.
Paul Midgely, of Drumrunners, used recycled containers to make the rhythmic music and song and supermarket carrier bags were put to good use by Vicki Hodgson, from Inner Image Community and Festival Workshops, as she worked with the children to devise colourful costumes. Donna Smith and James Page of Soul Patrol taught the funky dance moves.
Artist Elizabeth praised the contribution of the children, who created aluminium leaves with help from Mountbatten and Romsey School pupils, in "making the education garden even more special".
The archway was unveiled exactly two years after Sir David Attenborough opened the dragonfly archway, said director of gardens, Robin Kealy.
Education officer, Carla Thomas-Buffin, congratulated the children and thanked pupils from Ampfield, Braishfield, Cupernham, Lockerley, Romsey Primary and Romsey Abbey, along with Mountbatten and Romsey School students, for attending.
She also thanked Elizabeth Hodgson, Jan and Gordon, the workshop leaders, the Arts Festival committee and the borough council, especially Michael Johnson, for their support.
Donna Jones
8:15am Friday 18th July 2008
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