Redrow encourages children’s artistic vision

Budding young artists painted their vision of their hometown when they took part in a competition run by Redrow Homes. Redrow’s community liaison officer Anne Tillett invited schoolchildren from Devonport, Plymouth, to show off their artistic flair by painting pictures of their vision for the town.

The winning artwork has now been reproduced onto the hoardings outside the marketing suite at Vision at Devonport for all to see.

The competition was run in conjunction with the launch of the award-winning house builder’s Vision at Devonport development, which will see the transformation of a former MOD stores enclave, which had been surrounded by a three-meter high stone wall.

Anne says: “The site originally formed part of Devonport town centre, which was heavily damaged in the Blitz.

“It was requisitioned by the MOD shortly after the Second World War and enclosed by the wall, which stood for 50 years.

“The development has attracted a lot of interest from people in the town and we wanted to get local children involved in the regeneration of the area.”

More than 200 pupils from Marlborough and St. Joseph’s RC primary schools took part in the competition entitled “My Vision of Devonport”.

Anne – herself a former teacher - went into each school and gave a presentation during assembly about the development, the history of the site and what it will look like when it is finished and talked to them about what a vision or dream is.

Jack Griffiths, head teacher at Marlborough Primary School, says: “The children enjoyed taking part in the competition, which raised their awareness of the long-overdue redevelopment of the Devonport area.”

Brendan Gill, head teacher of St Joseph’s RC Primary School, added: “The paintings were done before the wall came down so the children were asked to paint their idea of what the area would be like.

“The children enjoyed taking part and it gave them a feeling of some input into the development.”

Each school was given £100 towards arts materials for participating and all of the entries were put on display in the marketing suite at Vision at Devonport.

A separate “people’s choice” award was held so that visitors could pick their favorite piece from the exhibition and the artists of the top 10 paintings were awarded prizes.

The entries were judged by Alan Lemin of Plymouth College of Arts and there were three age categories, with first, second and third place being awarded in each.

All of the winners were given art materials and vice chairman of the Devonport Regeneration Community Partnership Board, Dave Brown, joined Redrow in presenting the prizes at the official launch of Redrow’s Vision at Devonport development.

Vision at Devonport will eventually feature more than 450 homes including one and two–bedroom apartments and two, three and four-bedroom houses.

The transformation of the area has attracted a lot of interest from families, young professionals and down-sizers alike.

For more information on Vision at Devonport call the sales team or log onto Redrow.co.uk.