Information on Loughborough

Sileby Community Day

Posted on 01/05/2008
P. Klein

a maypole

Charnwood Arts is working together with the community of Sileby to launch the 2008 Sileby Community Day on Saturday May 10th.

Everyone is invited to this very special day to celebrate the installation of new sculpture gardens at Redlands and Highgate Primary Schools.

This project started with the building of new flats on Swan Street, an area that used to have a lot of cottage industry. Inspired by this piece of local history, children from both schools have been learning about the shoe and hosiery industries in their village, including a visit to Starchild Shoes on Ratcliffe Road

Working with artist Louise Evans, the children then produced designs, which formed the basis of sculptural pieces now installed at the two schools. The project was funded by Charnwood Borough Council and Charnwood Arts.

The community day is an event for all. The day opens at 11.00am at Highgate Primary School where children from both schools will be dancing the Maypole and performing poetry inspired by the sculptures. These have been devised with performance poet Lindsey Warnes Carroll.

The children will then join with artists from Bill Brookman Productions to process down to Redlands Primary School, many of them in fancy dress.

From 12 noon the fun starts at Redlands Primary School with free ArtZone activities and many stalls selling everything from high quality children’s toys to hand knitted items. Local band Ska-Amanga will be performing at 12.30pm and a Hog Roast and other refreshments will be available.

A shoe-designing competition will be held on the day by Starchild Shoes of Sileby, after which one adult design and one child’s design will be selected and made up into an actual pair of shoes as a prize. Starchild will also be donating raffle prizes. Anyone else who can help with donating raffle prizes please contact Jemma Bagley at Charnwood Arts. All proceeds will be split between Redlands and Highgate schools.

If you would like to help with raffle prizes or need any more information about the day, please contact Jemma Bagley at Charnwood Arts on Loughborough (01509) 821035 or by e-mail to jemmab@charnwood-arts.org.uk