Witney News - Marriotts Close poster winner

Marriotts Close poster winner

A colourful poster by Aston and Cote primary school pupil, Amber Hayler, is the winner of the Marriotts artwork competition. Amber’s painting was selected after being put to a public vote and can be viewed on the hoardings surrounding the Witney development site

Today, Dave Woolnough, Simons Group Project Manager presented the school with a cash prize of £200 and £50 for Amber.

Mrs Marjorie Ottley, Headteacher at Aston and Cote said, “We are very pleased and proud that one of our pupil’s paintings has won. It is a good representation of the quality artwork being done at the school. I’d like to thank West Oxfordshire District Council and Simons Group for giving children the chance to display their work in the town centre.”

The school will be spending the money to support a visiting artist in residence to work with their year 6 pupils before they move on to secondary school.

The competition was open to all primary schools in the District and paintings by pupils from six schools were shortlisted, enlarged and exhibited on the panels. Shortlisted entries came from: Aston & Cote, Hanborough Manor and from Witney: The Batt, Blake, Tower Hill and Witney Community schools.

Cllr Jill Dunsmore, Cabinet Member for Communities said, “There has been a lot of interest in this competition and it has been great to put some artwork up on the hoardings whilst the development is taking place. I’d like to thank the schools and all the children that have taken part. Special congratulations to Amber and I am very pleased it has given the school the opportunity to have a visiting artist in resident.”

Selected posters from secondary school pupils will join those already on the hoardings over the next few weeks. These are from Wood Green School, Henry Box School, the Kings School and Cokethorpe School.

The Marriotts development is due for completion in autumn 2009. It will include shops and restaurants, a multi-screen cinema and multi-storey car park plus a recreational area and new homes.

The photograph shows Amber Hayler, front with her painting. Dave Woolnough, Simons Group Project Manager and Mrs Marjorie Ottley, Headteacher look on.