County gets creative for Jubilee
Communities across the county are set to get creative to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee thanks to the Herefordshire Community Foundation which has announced almost £28,000 in funding from Arts Council England’s Lets Create Jubilee Fund for local projects.
From street parties and art displays to a fun run and a giant lion parade, Herefordshire will certainly celebrate in style after seven projects have been awarded funding.
Among the projects is a giant,10 foot lion puppet who is set to make his grand entrance at The Leominster Roars Fun Day. Made by the local Fetch Theatre, he is expected to parade through town, operated by professional puppeteers and students from the local secondary school. With some £6000 of funding, other festivities in the town include a tea party, a paint blast fun run, an open mic for local musicians, art and dance workshops and choir performances.
Herefordshire Community Fund CEO Bridie Sullivan said: “The Platinum Jubilee weekend is one which will last long in the memory of Herefordshire’s residents. We are thrilled to support creative and cultural activities right across the county. Not only will the Jubilee weekend be a fantastic showcase of skills and talents but it will also introduce our communities to different art forms and build confidence in creating, exhibiting and performing.”
Youth centre Close House Projects has been awarded almost £10,000 to lead on a series of creative workshops and celebrations in Hereford and Ledbury which will span poetry, visual arts, photography and drama. The project will culminate in a street party and exhibitions, bringing together young and old.
To the west of the county, the Dorstone Jubilee Committee is investing more than £4000 from the Hereford Community Foundation into the creation of a community artwork celebrating 70 years of village history. A photographic artist will work with local residents to create a final piece of artwork which will be on permanent display in the Parish Hall.
Meanwhile, residents of Pembridge will be part of a documentary-style film as they hope to capture and bring to life the story of the village from 1952 to 2022. An audio-visual exhibition, as seen through the eyes of the community, will be created in the village hall during Jubilee week, thanks to funding of almost £3500. A concert will also be staged celebrating local folk songs, poets and composers. Photographs and other public records will also be on display.
For 125 years, the focal point of Wellington Heath was its grand oak tree, planted in 1897 to commemorate the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria. After the tree died earlier this year, villagers have been keen to turn it into a sculpted work of art. With funding of £1500, leading artist Ed Eliot has been commissioned and the finished wood carving will have a seating area around it for the local community and visitors to enjoy.
A giant Platinum Jubilee Creative Picnic will be the order of the day in Eardisland on Sunday 5th June. Everyone will be encouraged to decorate a small canvas which will form a large wall mosaic to be displayed in the Village Hall. Those attending the picnic will also have the opportunity to design a mug to keep as a memento. This project has been awarded £1180 from the Herefordshire Community Foundation.And in Bromyard, families and children are painting, printing and collaging their own pieces of artwork in a series of workshops. Receiving £1180 in funding, the designs will feature in a Jubilee Hunt; an art trail through the town. Their artistic talents will also be on display in a Jubilee banner which will be placed in the local library.