Pupils get busy with knitted nature

Pupils from St. Edwards C of E Primary School, Castleton taking part in a creative knitting workshop at Touchstones Rochdale with artist Alison Cooper

A group of pupils from St. Edwards C of E Primary School, Castleton recently took part in a creative knitting workshop at Touchstones Rochdale with artist Alison Cooper.

The children also worked together with Touchstones Rochdale's Knitty Gritty group who are busy knitting blossoms, butterflies and birds to decorate a blossom tree in Broadfield Park, Rochdale.

The project is inspired by the delicately beautiful exhibition 'Bloom' on display in the Heritage Gallery at Touchstones Rochdale. This exhibition celebrates the significance of flowers and explores how floral motifs feature within the Museum and Art Gallery collections.

Sarah Hodgkinson, Museum Resource Officer for Rochdale Arts and Heritage Service commented: “The wonderful knitted installation that will soon be attached to a tree in Broadfield Park and is an exciting addition to our current knitted garland which has already been installed above the entrance of the Touchstones building. The project has been filmed and will be added to the footage already on display in the Bloom exhibition for all to see”.

Head Teacher at St. Edward’s C of E Primary School, Mrs Coxell said: “The workshop was excellent. All the children were captivated by the knitting activities and it was very relevant to our creative curriculum approach to learning. The children were inspired by the fun art activities and are looking forward to seeing their work on display”.

The pupils will see their nifty knitting displayed alongside the work of more accomplished knitters in Broadfield park. Members of the wider community are also invited to donate knitted blossoms, butterflies and birds to add to the art installation.

Knitted items are being collected at Touchstones Rochdale reception and should be handed in on or before the 22 May 2013. Please contact Alison Cooper on 01706 924492 or email alison.arts@yahoo.co.uk for further information.

The knitting will be installed in Broadfield Park, Rochdale by mid June for everyone to enjoy.

The exhibition Bloom runs until Spring 2014 at Touchstones Rochdale. Opening hours are Tuesday to Saturday 10am-5pm.