STUDENTS at Finchampstead schools can now admire their work at a nearby construction site.
Nine Mile Ride School and Gorse Ride pupils and parents were joined by Mayor of Wokingham Cllr Caroline Smith and executive member for housing Cllr Stephen Conway as their work was unveiled at the Gorse Ride regeneration scheme in Finchampstead.
The event was also attended by representatives from appointed contractor Wates, vicechair of the Gorse Ride steering group Matt Sales and families living in the area.
The council and Wates had organised art sessions for children in Finchampstead to create autumnal artwork and self-portraits, which are now mounted on the hoarding around the site and will be in place for the duration of Phase 2A of the plan.
Cllr Caroline Smith said: “The children have worked hard to produce these wonderful artworks and I am delighted to unveil this project at Gorse Ride.
“This is one of many projects the council has run with the local community for the Gorse Ride regeneration scheme, helping to include residents and spark their imaginations. I have enjoyed meeting and speaking to our young, local artists and their families at the unveiling.”
Cllr Stephen Conway said: “It is fantastic to see local children attending the artwork unveiling, having fun, getting creative and most importantly, feeling involved in our regeneration project at Gorse Ride.
“For many local families, the Gorse Ride community is their home and will continue to be as the phased regeneration takes place over many years, providing 249 new modern homes where 75% of them will be affordable to meet growing local demand.
“The displaying of the artwork enhances our vision to engage and involve our communities through arts and culture, creating a sense of identity which local people can feel part of.”
The art session took place during the October half-term at St Mary and St John’s Parish Centre, Finchampstead, and saw youngsters tracing around their hands and sticking paper leaves onto hedgehog-shaped moulds.
As part of the redevelopment, the council must maintain the welfare of hedgehogs on site and is advising residents living on the Gorse Ride estate to reach out to ensure they are moved safely and relocated by a rescue centre.
Five artificial nesting boxes will be provided on site and hedgehog highways, a cut-out at the bottom of garden fences, will be installed to allow hedgehogs to freely visit other gardens.
During the session, the autumnal themed artwork was collected and arranged onto a two-metre-tall paper tree. Wates provided a weather-proof frame to display the artwork.
