Workshop will take townsfolk on a journey

Children and parents in Ellesmere are being invited to “come on a journey” as part of a project to mark the centenary of the Save the Children charity.

A creative family arts workshop will be held at the town’s library, Our Space, on Saturday, to celebrate the pioneering achievements of Eglantyne Jebb, who set up the international aid fund in May 1919 and was born in the town.

The workshop will be the first family event in an 18-month programme organised by the Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative in partnership with other community groups, including Bethphage, who run the library.

The Heritage Lottery Fund is providing a £21,000 grant to support the project, which will also include arts activities in seven local schools and the creation of a landmark memorial sculpture alongside the Mere in Ellesmere’s Cremorne Gardens.

Library assistant Sally Poynton, who is organising the workshop, said: “We want to create a colourful collage, using paint and other materials, to show how proud we are in Ellesmere of what Eglantyne has done for children all over the world who’ve been affected by war and famine.

“It will be a bit messy, which is why we’re asking children to wear old clothes, but it will be a lot of fun, especially as we’ll be using our hands and feet."

The theme will be ‘a journey’ to symbolise the plight of refugees and displaced children who are so often forced to flee their homes because of conflict, with no idea of where they’ll end up.

It’s also a journey of discovery for those of us who live in Ellesmere as we travel back in time to follow Eglantyne’s remarkable and inspirational story from 100 years ago.

The workshop is will be held between 2pm and 4 pm, there is no need to book and admission is free.

For more information, please contact Ellesmere Library on 01743 258555