Winners of first world war-related art competition announced
AN ARRAY of artistic talent has been showcased and celebrated as part of events to commemorate 100 years since the end of the first world war.
The Royal British Legion (Granby Barnstone and District Branch) held a Grand Art Competition with the theme of ‘The Poppy’.
Entrants’ work was on display at Granby Village Hall.
Among the exhibition judges were Air Chief Marshal (Rtd) Sir Andrew Douglas Pulford, the Chief of the Air Staff - the most senior RAF officer, and Steve Odell, plant manager at Barnstone Cement Plant, which is operated by Tarmac, the main sponsor of the project.
The competition was open to all local residents, uniformed youth groups, art groups and school groups in three age ranges – 11 and under; 12-18; and adult.
More than 100 entries were received across the three art categories - drawing and painting; photography and graphic design; textiles and sculpture.
Eileen Harrison’s textile picture of a field of poppies was chosen as the ‘people’s choice’ winner; Margaret Sibley won the painting category and dedicated her win to her uncle James Carr, who died in the Great War on March 21 1918, at the age of 32; Jim Bettles was the photography winner; and Geraldine King won the textiles and sculpture category and was also chosen to receive the ‘best in show’ award.
Other winners were: Under 11: Ben Lucas of Langar Primary School; Runner up- Lily Owen-Jones of Cotgrave C of E Primary School.
The runners-up were Carole Rainbow in textiles and sculpture and painting and drawing and David Powell in photography.rganiser Julie Powell of the Granby Barnstone and District Royal British Legion said: “All of the funds raised through this competition are going towards the work of the Royal British Legion, bringing hope and support to serving individuals, veterans, and their families across the UK and beyond.”
Mr Odell said: “The standard of entry was very high, and it was a difficult job to single out winners."
Andrew Charlett, also of the Granby Barnstone and District Branch of the Royal British Legion, said: “The next event to raise funds for the 2018 Poppy Appeal will be a Quarter Peal bell ringing, also being sponsored by Tarmac.
"This is a rare occurrence and the last one recorded in Granby All Saints' Church was for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee in 1977.
“The event is to honour the 1,400 bell ringers who lost their lives in world war one, and to keep this traditional British art alive. It will involve bands of ringers going through a series of ‘changes’ which follow mathematical permutations on tuned bells and must include 1,260 changes, which is both arduous and beautiful.”
David Powell is organising this event, which will take place in Saint Giles’s church, Cropwell Bishop at 3pm on Saturday October 27 and in All Saints' Granby on Saturday November 3, also at 3pm.
For more information or to sponsor these events, contact David on dvpj123@me.com