YOUNGSTERS from Burton schools have been praised for displaying their creative flair — by turning rubbish into art.
More than 60 children and staff from 13 schools attended an awards ceremony to recognise their involvement in the Art Is Rubbish campaign.
The scheme was set up by the Inland Waterways Association, organiser of a major canal festival being held at Shobnall Fields at the end of the month.
Children were asked to create some waterways-themed artwork from waste materials, with the aim of raising their awareness of the environmental impact litter and waste have on wildlife and water quality.
Betty Chapman, IWA school project coordinator, said: “We want children to understand the importance of the UK’s waterways both historically and in the modern day.
“This year’s theme has really allowed the schools to use their imagination and we enjoyed seeing their creations at the ceremony.” At the event, at Shobnall Leisure Complex, pupils from each school were invited to talk about their artwork, how they came up with the idea and the waste materials they used.
The overall winner, Winshill Village Primary School, scooped a trip to the National Forest Adventure Farm in Tatenhill, while Belvedere Junior School, Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Primary School and Holy Trinity C of E Primary School were highly commended.
Meanwhile, all the schools taking part received a framed certificate, a £50 Waterstone’s book voucher, a family ticket to the National Brewery Centre and 10 free tickets to the Waterways Festival.
East Staffordshire Mayor Patricia Ackroyd, who presented the prizes, said: “The festival organisers set the children a fascinating project to challenge their creative skills as well as getting them to think about recycling waste materials and get them involved and excited about this year’s festival.”
The scheme was run in conjunction with the adventure farm, brewery centre, Planters at Bretby garden centre, Pupils Schoolwear and Workwear and tyre giant Pirelli.
A selection of the children’s work will be displayed in the IWA Premier Marquee at the festival, which runs from July 29 to 31.
Tickets for the festival are available from East Staffordshire Borough Council’s Customer Service Centre, in Market Place, Burton, or the Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre, at Sharpe’s Pottery Museum, in West Street.
More information is available online at www.thewaterwaysfestival.co.uk or by calling 0844 800 6583.
