LOVERS of local history and creative art are being invited to join the community art project South Ockendon Reflects.
It is being organised by art tutor Pat Wakefield, and community worker Maggie Pollock, to commemorate this year’s centenary of the First World War.
Pat said: “Our intention is to create works of art that can kept as a lasting memorial at South Ockendon Centre and elsewhere.”
The accomplished artist and needlewoman who runs an art class at the centre, added: “One piece will be a large quilted scrapbook, and we also have contributors painting, knitting, taking photographs. The final collection will go on display in August.”
And Maggie, a trustee of South Ockendon Community Forum, said: “We have begun to collect memorabilia from families whose ancestors were involved in any way with the historical changes that took place 100 years ago.
“This was mainly an agricultural area at that time, and the war impacted in many ways – we want to hear the stories and see the pictures – bringing us all together to reflect, that’s the core of our project.”
The memorabilia and online research will help inspire poems, stories, drawings, paintings, collage. All art mediums will be used and every school, group and club, as well as individual residents, are invited to take part.
The three workshops held so far have been really successful with some wonderful collaboration across age ranges.
Future workshops will be held fortnightly at the centre, with the next scheduled for Saturday, April 5 between 1pm and 4pm.
They are free and open to all, although children under 14 must be accompanied by an adult.
Further information can be obtained by contacting Pat Wakefield on 01375 851064 or Maggie Pollock on 07776254191.
