Praise for children's artwork on utility boxes

School children who designed art murals to decorate utility boxes in an area of York are "thrilled" to see their work on show, teachers have said.

About 120 children from five schools in the Holgate area created art depicting local landmarks, including the Severus Hill water tower, windmills, trains and animals.

Their work was sprayed onto five utility boxes in May and coated in anti-graffiti resin in June.

Lee Haynes, head teacher at Acomb Primary School, said: "Projects like this are vital to show children how important it is to be part of a community and to care about where they live. The children are thrilled with the results."

Artist Tom Jackson, of Wood Street Walls, ran the project and said it was particularly rewarding to be working so close to home, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He said: "As someone who has been creating murals across the UK for more than 15 years, I've had the opportunity to work with communities, schools and organisations nationwide, but collaborating with Holgate schools in Holgate makes this project especially meaningful.

"It's a privilege to create something that the wider community can enjoy for years to come."

Neil Brookfield, Year 4 teacher at Poppleton Road Primary School, also said his pupils were "thrilled" with the results, which they see every day on their way to school.

"My class all designed their own work and Tom has done an incredible job at combining and bringing their ideas to life," he said.

The project was backed by City of York Labour councillors Lucy Steels-Walshaw and Jenny Kent.

Kent said: "People of different ages have already said they have been for a walk to spot them all, which is a great reason to get outside, look at our local area with fresh eyes, maybe spark ideas for further improvements, and be more active.

"They have received a lot of love and spread cheer."

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