Visitors to Boscombe's Sovereign Centre over the past couple of weeks have thrown themselves into the spirit of Bournemouth's 'Pride in Bournemouth' event with great gusto, helping the Centre's resident artists Natalie Guy and Carol Childs create a unique piece of public art.
The Centre is taking part in the Bournemouth-wide initiative which culminates in a splendid gala night and auction on September 18th and which organisers hope will raise thousands for Julia's House and the Born Free Foundation. Indeed, the Centre has thrown itself wholeheartedly into supporting this project, asking the public to help with the creation of a unique 'Sovereign' lion designed especially for the Centre by local community artist Natalie Guy with artist Carol Childs. Tenants have also been participating with members of staff coming along to add their support and stick on a 5p!
Natalie and Carol have been working on the lion in the Centre since the start of August with the first week dedicated to creating the lion's distinctive mane, with a little help from the Centre's visitors. The lion's mane was created using over 4000 5p pieces and some special sixpences donated by former local postman Philip Fradley and members of the public who visited the lion were encouraged to stick on their own 5p pieces and share in this unique project.
Visitors to the Centre ranged in age from 11 months to 87 years and came from all over the region: Boscombe, Christchurch, Bournemouth & Poole and from further afield, Berkshire, Hampshire, Somerset, Aberdare, North Wales, Scotland, Nottingham, Huddersfield, Cotswolds, Milton Keynes, London, Hertfordshire, Tunbridge Wells, Bexley Heath, Blackpool, Cardiff, Minehead, Norfolk, Surrey and Ireland. There were also plenty of visitors from more exotic locations, such as: Ukraine, Latvia, Holland, Germany, Romania, China, Hong Kong and Japan and they also added their 5p and good wishes for the project!
The Centre has also arranged for a colouring competition for children and families and is asking the public to help give him a name! Centre Administrator, Joan Neale said, "The response from the public has been overwhelming and exciting for the Centre. We have received hundreds of entries for our colouring competition and it has been fantastic to welcome so many visitors to the Centre and to see them participate in the creation of our lion."
For more details on both these charities please visit www.juliashouse.org & www.bornfree.org |
The Sovereign Shopping Centre 600 Christchurch Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 4SX Telephone: 01202 392721 | Fax: 01202 392723 | E-Mail: Joan.Neale@eu.jll.com |
