Children from nine schools in and around Redruth have taken part in a series of exciting arts workshops producing large brightly coloured flags to decorate Fore Street for this years Murdoch Day Festival.
Artists Tony Minnion, Caroline Cleave, Claire Armitage and Colin Curbishley visited the different schools and told the story of William Murdoch, his inventions and the important part he has played in the history of the town using videos, pictures, scale models and a range of different machine parts supplied by Redruth's own 'Murdoch Boys' - the William Murdoch enthusiasts responsible for building The Murdoch Flyer.
The children then designed there own flags and screen printed them with the artists onto large fabric triangles. These will now be sewn up and reinforced ready to hang across Fore Street for Murdoch Day and across the summer months.
Children taking part in the project were from Infant classes at Pennoweth, Pencoys, St Day and Carharack, Treleigh, Portreath, Trewergie and Lanner Schools, a Junior class at Treloweth School and 3 to 11 years old at the Curnow Special School.
Kathryn Garwood, Teacher at Lanner Primary School said: "The machines and artefacts were a great starting point and really enthused the children. Their finished screen prints were really great - very bold and colourful and the children really enjoyed the whole experience."
Katie, a Year 1 pupil at the school said: "I liked printing with the squeegee and I thought my picture of the Murdoch Flyer looked really good on the flag once it was printed."
Alex, a Year 1 pupil at the school said: "I liked it when we painted patterns on the flags. I printed a steam engine and a big cog on top of my pattern... I was really pleased with how it looked." Jordan, a Year 1 pupil added: "I liked printing the best and pulling the squeegee. When I had finished my picture was wonderful."
Tony Minnion from Cloth of Gold said: "It was great to give the younger children in the town a chance to take part in the celebrations for Murdoch Day - many of them had seen the procession last year and had older brothers and sister who had taken part but not many knew who William Murdoch was. They were spell bound by the artefacts that we were able to show them and we were delighted with the artwork that the objects inspired."
The Murdoch Machine Project was set up by Redruth Education and Economic Arts Partnership (REAP) working with the arts organisation Cloth of Gold - based at the old Grammar School in Redruth. It was funded by grants from West Cornwall Together Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, Kerrier District Council and Redruth Town Council.
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