The residents of Faulkner House, Fownhope, joined local primary school children to sing along to some funny and familiar songs in  a celebration performance recently.

The Reception Class of St Mary’s Primary School, Fownhope, performed songs and played wonderful, handmade instruments following five weeks of fun filled art and music workshops organised by WyldWood Arts. Funded by Children In Need for three years, WyldWood Arts is bringing children and vulnerable adults together through arts, crafts and music through the ‘River Roots’ project.

Following the theme of ‘River Roots’, the Fownhope group have been making their own instruments and decorating them. They have also learnt and adapted songs and actions.

Bym Welthy ran the music workshops supported by artist Lucy Baxendale. The sessions included visual arts and music based on a river theme, including collage, making and playing their own instruments, singing and movement.

Josie Rogerson, project coordinator and artist said: “We’ve absolutely loved running another term of activities with St Mary’s school, this time with Reception class. They’ve been such a wonderful, enthusiastic group, and have really thrown themselves in to our sessions. As with all of our projects, we set out to involve the wider community by also inviting residents of Faulkner House to the celebration – we believe that arts should be for everyone and bring benefit to the whole community. We hope to work with the brilliant St Mary’s School and their community again in the future”

Mrs Gibbs, deputy headteacher told the Gazette: “Projects like those produced by WyldWood Arts are great at teaching children confidence as well as about giving, caring and sharing. Two weeks ago on ‘Pudsey Day’, as the children call it, we raised money for Children In Need. The River Roots project has enabled the children to have a first-hand experience of where money raised by ‘Pudsey Day’ goes and what it achieves. It really brings to life what Children In Need is all about.”