Added: Monday, July 17, 2006

The Artist was brought out in everyone Saturday, 8th July when Colden School held their "Big Fun family Art Day". Children and Adults let their imaginations run wild as they took part in art workshops and craft activities. Potter Barbara Miskin was on hand to advise the children as they created pen pots, plaques and models from Clay. The workshop was so successful that Barbara had to bring in more clay supplies to meet demand!

Lots of fun was to be had making butterflies and peg dolls, masks and mobiles. children also painted Roman plaques and coins , and also had the opportunity to try on the Chain Mail made by Colden parent Steve Welsh.

Golden birds were seen flying through the Nature Area

An Exhibition by Local Artists, including Watercolours by Peter Stanyer and Bronzes by Ed Cronshaw was held in the School's new ICT Room, where members of Blackshaw Head Arts & Crafts group were demonstrating Waterclour Painting as they continued with their commission to create illustrations for the Colden Clough Nature reserve guide. Dorothy Sutcliffe, Pat Beechill and Shirley Olsen encouraged children to try watercolours, helping them with technique and brush skills. The Art & Craft Group, who meet every Wednesday at 12:00 at Blackshaw Head Chapel, will be opening their sessions to interested children during the Summer Holidays. For more information please contact Dorothy Sutcliffe on 01422-844893.

The Sculpture Trail, which followed a route from school, over the ancient Packhorse Bridge at Strines and down to the Colden Nature Area was a big hit with everyone, especially the children, who discovered many delights en route! A Golden Bird and Flying Pig could be found in the Nature area, along with sculptures made from recycled materials and a gremlin, who had avoided being bottled, hiding behind the Blue Door! Bottled gremlins tried their hardest to persuade the children to release them -but to no avail. Guinevere waited patiently by the bridge for her "Knight in Shining Armour", but he had unfortunately fallen asleep in a nearby field. Luckily the Dragon he was supposed to be defeating was on the other side of the river, grounded due to the south westerly wind conditions!

Parents and children alike expressed their artistic talents in contributing sections to the "Big Picture", a large scale copy of a painting by Spanish Artist Jose Manuel Merello - chosen as the Colden children recently held an extremely enjoyable Spaish Day! The picture is very nearly complete - awaiting one final section which we hope will be completed by the Headmaster before it is unveiled at Sports Day on Friday!

Potter Barbara Miskin advises Gunnar Ford in the Pottery Workshop

Above: Guinevere waits patiently for her Knight in shining armour Right: Here there be Dragons!

Added: Saturday, July 1st, 2006

As part of the Hebden Bridge Art Festival Colden School are holding a "Big Fun Family Art Day" on Saturday 8th July.

The belly of the Dragon is a wonderful place to share stories

Open from 11:00 to 4:00, friends of Colden School will be offering lots of Arty, Crafty activities for all the family to try. Local Potter Barbara Miskin will be on hand to help children and adults create their own masterpiece, which will then be glazed and fired for you. Dorothy Sutcliffe and members of the Blackshaw Head Art and Crafts Group will be demonstrating more traditional crafts and showing us how to make bowls from scraps of fabric and string!

The Blackshaw Head Art & Crafts group meet every Wednesday from 12:00 at Blackshaw Head Chapel. It is an informal group for anyone interested in starting a new hobby or who has a talent to to share.

The Big Fun Family Art Day will offer a creative experience for every age group and ability. Activities include making Peg Dolls, Face Painting, Venetian Masks, Peg Butterflies, and Bun Decorating. You could come along and join in the "Big Picture", or perhaps paint a Roman Plaque or medallion. Younger children might like to help give our peacock a new tail with hand printing! Whilst you are visiting why not add your dreams or memories to our "Memory Tree", made by pupils James Kay and Alex & Tom Hutchinson.

As well as the many activities on offer, Colden School Children have also created their own Sculpture trail through the beautiful countryside that surrounds their school. A short walk (approximately half an hour)starting at the Dragon (a wonderful Willow Den in the Early Years Garden) will take you from the school, through open countryside to the old Packhorse Bridge at Strines and then Back down to Jack Bridge via the to the School's 'Nature Area'. Sculptures and Scarecrows created by the children, both during and out of school will give the walk added delight.

The school will also be hosting an exhibition and sale of art work by local Artists including Peter Stanyer and Ed Cronshaw.

Refreshments will be on sale all day, along with homemade Cakes and Buns.

The area around Colden School is not only beautiful at all
times of the year but it is also a wonderful wild-life habitat

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