Pupils from Pinxton Village Academies see their artwork go on permanent display at Pinxton Village Hall

Three winning entries are turned into mosaics by professional artist.

Artwork designed by three children has been displayed on the outside of Pinxton Village Hall after a professional artist, Coralie Turpin Thomson, interpreted their drawings into mosaics.

The winning artworks were all submitted by children attending Pinxton Village Academies, made up of John King Infant Academy, Longwood Infant Academy and Kirkstead Junior Academy. Drawings reflected the children’s love of Pinxton and to mark the Queen’s Jubilee.

Presiding at the unveiling was Cllr. Julian Siddle (Derbyshire County Councillor and Pinxton Parish Councillor) who said, “I think this has been a great project to get the community’s children involved. They submitted artwork which celebrated the Queen’s Jubilee and also the

community of Pinxton. Recently the Pinxton Village Hall was painted with a huge mural on its gable wall, and 25 years ago now, we installed three mosaics on the front elevation. The three winning children’s entries now sit underneath these original mosaics, and we hope they will be here for the community to enjoy for many years to come.”

The winning entries were by Hunter Neal age 5, a former pupil at John King Infant Academy, Ruby Allard age 9 and Freddie Walkington age 8, who both attend Kirkstead Junior Academy.

Cllr Julian Siddle said, “We have all enjoyed looking at the submitted entries, they were fantastic! The three winners were chosen by Cllr Mark Hinman, Chair of the Pinxton Parish Council, because they really embody the Pinxton community. The art included the Pinxton Wheel, its mining heritage and also recognised the Queen’s Jubilee. I really hope that the children will come back in years to come and show their own children their artwork on Pinxton Village Hall.”

Jane Wells of Junction Arts, a charity delivering community art projects across Bolsover District and Northeast Derbyshire, helped Pinxton Parish Council to find an artist to create the permanent works. She said, “I thought the children’s artwork was amazing and Coralie has been able to create mosaics which are so true to the children’s drawings. I hope that the children are inspired to develop a love for art and that it becomes a big part of their lives.”

Attending was Victoria and Anthony Walkington, parents of winner Freddie. Anthony said that they were delighted that Freddie’s work was chosen. “We are extremely proud of Freddie. He has something of an obsession for arts and crafts, so for him to be recognised like this, and to have his work displayed on the Pinxton Village Hall is fantastic.”

Freddie age 8 years was modest about the accolade and said, “I feel happy about it. It came as a surprise because I don’t usually win things like this. I like to draw, and I have done sticker mosaics before too. The design does look like mine, except I think the Queens face is a bit better on the mosaic than the one I did on my drawing!”

Michelle Stain is mum of winner Ruby Allard and said. “I am really pleased, it’s such a lovely idea. It’s really nice to think that the children will be able to see this for many years to come. Ruby loves art and we are really pleased her work was chosen.” Ruby was excited to see her work displayed saying, “I am really proud of it. I did a crown with the number 70 to represent the number of years the Queen was on the throne. I did the love hearts because of the love and respect people had for the Queen. I think the mosaic is really good, it looks exactly like my design! I hope our mosaics will last as long as the others!”

Anne Ingle, Head Teacher of Pinxton Village Academies said she was proud of the children. “This is a wonderful display of our children’s flair for art and we are delighted to see how beautiful the finished works are. Coralie has done a magnificent job of interpreting the children’s work and we are so grateful to Pinxton Parish Council for giving our children this

opportunity. I think that the chosen works show a real love for Pinxton, the pride they feel for this wonderful community and its heritage. I sincerely hope that the works will remain for many future generations of children and families to enjoy. Our winners are great ambassadors for the Pinxton Village Academies, and we are so very proud of them!”