Our summer project with Ilmington Primary School has produced amazing artwork and encouraged new personal connections. We challenged the children to sketch some of the best-known features of Ilmington for our 2024 Calendar. From the Village Hall to the fairies at Bevingtons, the Red Lion to the church mice, their child’s eye view has brought brought the village alive. For some pupils who live outside the village, it was the first time they’d looked at their environment in detail. “It was a really good idea that everyone got their picture in there,” said Mia Shaw, (pictured left) admiring the calendars for the first time. “I drew the Howard Arms and I really enjoyed doing it. Before, I didn’t even realise the old school house was the old school house!” Mia’s from Ilmington, friend Lucy hails from Mickleton and the 10 years olds are on the school council. “It was fun,” said Lucy. “It showed us elements of the village we hadn’t noticed before.” They were both genuinely thrilled to see their own and their friends’ work in print. From our point of view, we get to enjoy the fruit of the children’s imaginations, which can also be seen on the Ilmington Images website: www.ilmingtonimages.co.uk, alongside photos taken by a team of volunteer photographers. The Ilmington Shop 2024 Calendars are on sale now for £8. And there will be an exhibition of all the children’s art in the café in January!
