Witney News - PM praises community art project

PM praises community art project

Rt Hon David Cameron, Prime Minister and MP for Witney, paid tribute to an art project that brought together different generations in a West Oxfordshire Village.

Mr Cameron was unveiling a mosaic at Stanton Harcourt Village Hall, which was designed by artist Becky Paton.

Becky was commissioned to create the mosaic, as part of a project coordinated by West Oxfordshire District Council and Stanton Harcourt Parish Council. The venture was funded by Burys Dryanstore as part of developer contributions.

Becky, who grew up in West Oxfordshire, visited Stanton Harcourt and asked local people about what should be included in the design.

This included chatting to older residents at their weekly lunch group and visiting the local primary school to get a flavour of how the mosaic could capture the village’s special history.

The final design focused on the Harcourt Peacock surrounded by violets, poppies and daffodils (flowers specific to the village) and incorporating text from 18th century poet Alexander Pope, who stayed in Stanton Harcourt.

David Cameron said: “Stanton Harcourt has great history and heritage and it is really important that we celebrate it through art. It’s great that the District Council can support art projects that reflect the tradition and history of its community. This is one of those occasions that I’ve been able to stand next to a successful local artist who has produced a great piece of work for our District.”

Becky said: “It’s a great honour for me as an artist to be chosen to create a piece of work that will hopefully become a legacy for the village. The process of speaking to various members of the community from schoolchildren to the older residents played a huge part in shaping the mosaic and it has been an amazing experience that has been capped off with the unveiling carried out by our Prime Minister.”

Cllr Warwick Robinson, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, said: “This project has brought together the different generations in Stanton Harcourt and will provide a piece of art that gives an insight into its rich heritage and history.”

Picture: Rt Hon David Cameron with artist Becky Paton and her daughter Izzy