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Riverside Project - Editorial
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Riverside Project - Editorial
Location: Northumberland
Pupils from the North East have been showing how poetry can tackle any subject that captures the imagination. Using the local river as their inspiration, the youngsters wrote poetry couplets and the winning entries are to be carved into stone seats.
 The Riverside Project in Felton, Northumberland has been exploring the natural heritage of a stretch of riverside land in the village of Felton. Part of this work has involved making the site accessible so that it can be enjoyed by everyone via a path and disabled access point. Three stone benches have been carved and it’s on these that the poetry will become a lasting part of the local environment.
The pupils of Felton First School rose to the challenge and villagers voted for their favourite poetry when the entries were displayed in the window of the Running Fox, the local coffee shop.
The three that got the most votes were:
  Listen to the water, listen to the flow,
Listen to the ripples and listen very slow
David Smith, Year 3
I go to the river, oh the woosh, oh the clatter,
The river rustles like the wind hitting the trees
James Hood, Year 3
Rippling rappling Coquet, moving very fast,
Glittering, gleaming Coquet, shining in the sun
Robert Shilton, Year 1
Over two thousand people attended the Felton Summer Fair, held in the summer 2002, where visitors were able to see sculptor Gilbert Ward make a start to the carved stone benches. These will eventually be put in place in spring 2003, where they will form a welcome rest point for visitors. The team members are busy making preparations for the ramp to take wheelchairs as far as the first seat. Meanwhile, the Art Group is painting examples of the flora and fauna of the site, to be displayed on the Information Board.
Other plans for the team members include restorative planting, distribution of a free leaflet and the project will culminate in an exhibition and celebration day.
Runners-up:
The water is blue, sparkling with glee,
The water is nice, it likes you and me
Eleanor Thatcher, Year 3
The gentle sound of the water
While twinkling in the sunlight
Emma Brown, Year 3
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