School and Charity create unique ‘Meeting Space’ art sculpture in Leicestershire

Arts Council Funding helps School and Charity create unique “Meeting Space” Art Sculpture in the grounds of the Grade I Listed building, in Appleby Magna, Leicestershire.

Youngsters from the Sir John Moore School in Appleby, have been putting the finishing touches to the art sculpture that has been built in the grounds of the Sir John Moore Foundation.

Plans that started last year are now well under way with a fantastic metal and willow creation named ‘The Meeting Space’. Local artist Tom Hare has worked with the Sir John Moore Primary School, other local young people and youngsters on Alternative Provision as well as community members to design and build the space. It includes bespoke and very funky lighting, poetry benches and giant arches representing the community, the school and the Foundation coming together.

Youngsters from the school and youth club came up with ideas to add a water feature to the scheme and a ‘make a wish’ area. Further funds have been raised to design and build this from ‘Innovative Museums’ and this will be created early in the new year.

Yesterday school pupils were helped by local teenagers Arran Marshall and Paddy O’Connor to create the ‘willow wall’, they then went on to complete it with the artist. Arran (18), former pupil of Sir John Moore said “I really enjoyed that – and quite surprised myself with what we achieved in one day, it was great working with the little kids!”

“The meeting space was based on ideas from over 300 youngsters and local people; it has been well worth waiting for. A grand opening will be planned in the new year which will mark the 10th anniversary of the restoration of the site” Deana Wildgoose (Foundation Manager) continues and says “Its incredible what has happened since 2004, the Art Sculpture and the water feature are the icing on the cake – and there is still so much more in the pipeline to get excited about – Watch this space!”

To find out more about the Sir John Moore Foundation, please visit http://www.sirjohnmoore.org.uk/ or email deana@sirjohnmoore.org.uk