Pupils’ artwork gives centre of Hadleigh a lift (From Echo)

Pupils’ artwork gives centre of Hadleigh a lift

10:40am Friday 29th June 2012 in Castle Point By Jacqueline McMillan

Bright – the youngsters’ photos stretching along Hadleigh High Street

IMAGES have been unveiled in Hadleigh town centre to celebrate the Olympics.

Pupils from Westwood Junior School, in Beresford Close, Hadleigh, and Hadleigh Junior School, in Church Road, transformed sporting photos of themselves into artwork in commemoration of the 2012 Games.

The 50 Andy Warhol-style art boards were officially unveiled this week outside the Crown Pub and Hadleigh Old Fire Station, in High Road, Hadleigh, as part of Essex County Council’s Dressing Hadleigh Project.

Stephen Castle, Essex county councillor responsible for the county’s contribution to the Games, said: “With the start of the Olympic Games just a few weeks away, I think it’s great Hadleigh is starting to take on the Olympic look and feel that’s in common with the other Olympic venues across the country.

“With flags and other visual installations that are being placed throughout our Olympic venues, marking the start of this exciting and most spectacular of occasions.

“I’m looking forward to seeing Hadleigh dressed in all its spender.”

Pam Challis, leader of Castle Point Council said: “We have some fantastic young talent in the borough which is being showcased through the Dressing Hadleigh project.

“The choice of Hadleigh Farm as the location for the Olympic Mountain Bike event this summer will bring thousands of visitors, allowing these artworks to be appreciated by a worldwide audience.”

Jayne Baldwin, 30, from Leigh, wrote to the Echo in praise of the artwork.

She said: “They are absolutely lovely and really brighten up the area.

“Those young people should be really proud of their efforts.”

Hadleigh Farm will host the Olympic mountain biking event on August 11 and 12.