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A Time and a Place - Editorial
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A Time and a Place - Editorial
Location: East Sussex
Hands-On-Art is a creative project celebrating the old traditions and history of two areas in the South East. The aim is to forge creative links between the elderly and the young based on local and historical traditions.
 Two schools in two towns, Uckfield and Tonbridge took part in this project. The project’s success is proof that history and local traditions are an interesting and fun way to learn about the past and the elderly are ideal people to tell these stories to the young.
School children from Harlands Primary School in Uckfield worked with artist Jackie Summerfield designing and making a series of clay murals depicting how Uckfield used to be. Members of the Uckfield art club joined the children at their school to take part in this project.
Over 30 children from Year 6 began by listening to the older people about how Uckfield used to be and how their school used to be a farm. The artist then showed everyone how to carve onto a clay tile and use coloured slip to create their tiles.
“It was great to work with the children and learn about a new technique in using clay", said Tom, a member of Uckfield Art Group. Another member, Freda, commented: “It was a lovely idea to bring two age groups together and I think that the children have really benefited from working with us”. Everyone involved in this project had a lot of fun making their tiles – even though they all got a bit messy!
The finished mural will be permanently displayed at Utopia Leisure Centre in Uckfield.
  The elderly people said that to be able to talk to children was a great experience and to be able to share their memories was very special.
School children from Woodlands school in Tonbridge have been working along side the elderly at Townlock Age Concern Day Centre in Tonbridge. Year 6 visited the centre for a series of workshops and listened to the older people telling them stories of how Tonbridge used to be. The children learned former residents used to take herds of cows down the high street which was then just a dirt track.
With their new found knowledge the children worked with artist Liz Major in designing and creating an embossed foil mural which captured how much Tonbridge had changed over the last 100 years.
The mural is going to be permanently positioned at Tonbridge Castle for the public to see. It's hoped the artwork will bring back many more memories about the town.
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