Crime & Safety
Flock of clay birds set to take flight in special exhibition
Pupils from Beckley CofE Primary School in Oxfordshire created their own ceramic birds as part of a pottery workshop led by artists from The Art Barns at Bernwood Pottery in Horton-cum-Studley.
The artwork will form part of the Oxfordshire Artweeks exhibition running from May 9 to 17.
Elizabeth Murphy, a ceramicist at The Art Barns, said: “Every year The Art Barns at Bernwood Pottery creates a curated exhibition of work by local artists who are passionate about what they do.
“This year for Artweeks we wanted to do something more than just show our work: we wanted to give back by engaging and inspiring the community with art. We are therefore very pleased to be collaborating with Mr Houston and his team at Beckley CoE Primary School to create a very special installation by the children to present during Artweeks.”
On March 23, Ms Murphy and fellow artists Rachel Kelly and Charlie Leech spent the day at the school running a pottery workshop for all pupils, who each created a clay bird. The project was inspired by the natural murmurations of starlings over nearby Otmoor and the school’s vision to “soar on wings like eagle”.
Ms Murphy said: “Each child from Reception to Year 6 made their own bird out of clay. Though we led the children in how to make, every single one turned out completely different and as unique as the child that made it.
“Ranging from beautiful textures to elongated beaks to fighter jet birds to dashing birds in top hats, each and every bird has its own distinctive personality.”
The clay birds will be fired and suspended as a murmuration-style installation at The Art Barns throughout the Artweeks festival.
Rick Houston, headteacher at Beckley CofE Primary School, said: “This project has been a fantastic opportunity for every child in the school to be engaged in a shared art work.
“Each bird had a similar starting design, which was then personalised by each child. This linked to themes we have been learning about in school; how each of us is the same and each of us is unique and different, and how both of these things can be true at the same time.
“We come together to form a larger whole as a school community which has the same ephemeral, ever changing nature as the starling murmurations over Otmoor.”
After the exhibition, the installation will be dismantled and each child will receive their clay bird as a keepsake.
Cotswolds Distillery, based in Stourton, has announced the upcoming launch of The Hidden Still, a brand-new distillery bar, alongside the launch of new product Cotswolds Wild Spritz.
The business became the first full-scale distillery in the region since it began in a derelict barn in the North Cotswolds in 2014.
READ MORE: Bicester fire heroes remembered during memorial service
It has grown to now incorporate a warehouse, cafe, shop and terrace, and will soon include The Hidden Still bar as its newest addition.
The bar will open to the public on Saturday, May 23, and then be open every Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 9pm until the end of September.
Designed as a ‘summer destination’. the bar will host events and tastings led by the company’s head of mixology, Ollie Morris, who has worked with the Cotswolds Distillery for more than a decade.
READ MORE: Henley death sparks calls for meningitis vaccine rollout
Just ahead of the bar opening, the company will launch Cotswolds Wild Spritz, a new bittersweet English aperitivo with notes of bright citrus, soft florals and layered botanicals.
The distillery recommends serving the dry, refined aperitivo with chilled sparking wine and a splash of soda or poured over ice with tonic or soda, finished with a twist of citrus.
As well as the newest spirit, guests will be able to choose from a curated selection of cocktails and light snacks at the new bar, including ‘timeless’ house classic with Cotswolds Distillery Dry Gin and Signature Whisky, spritz and long drinks, a daily-changing Cotswolds slushie and low or no-alcohol options.
Mind & Muscle Gym in Witney has donated £1,000 to the South Central Ambulance Charity following a fundraising event, and has installed a public-access defibrillator outside its premises.
The defibrillator is now fully registered on the Circuit, meaning emergency services are aware of its location and it can be accessed by the local community if ever needed.
Mind & Muscle describes itself as “a place built for people who want more from their gym,” focused on mental health, community support, and strength training in a welcoming, ego-free environment.
It promotes the message: “No fluff. No egos. Just graft.”
Now celebrating 40 years of service, Andy’s milestone also highlights a remarkable family connection to the business, with his older brother David having joined the company in 1968 and the pair contributing more than 60 years of combined service.
Mr Seeney, from Eynsham, joined Oxford Bus Company as a teenage apprentice body builder straight from school in September 1985. He is now the company’s body shop and asset improvement manager.
He said: “It was good to follow in the footsteps of David and come and work with him. It meant I knew it was a good company to work for.
“I got to work with David for four years, working with him and learning a lot from him.
“That could be challenging, with him being family, but I enjoyed it.”
During his time with the company, Mr Seeney has witnessed major changes across the industry and within the workplace.
He said: “The vehicles are different to when I started and how they’re put together has changed.
“It’s always good to learn new techniques, but it’s just as important to know the older ways of doing things.”
He also reflected on the growth of the company and the evolving nature of his role.
He said: “There’s a lot more staff these days and it’s a much bigger business. I enjoy the changes as they bring new challenges.
“My day tends to start off in the garage office, seeing if there are any new vehicles off-road, and then working a plan of action from there.
“Facilities is a big part of my job, along with refurbishments and improvements. Each day is a new day in this job, and I like that.
“I like to have a new challenge to come into rather than be doing similar things each day.”
In recognition of his long service, Mr Seeney was honoured at the company’s recent Really Amazing Awards.
He said: “It’s always been a good team effort and never been about just me or someone else.
“People always get together to help each other, and it’s a real team effort every day.”
Luke Marion, managing director of Oxford Bus Company, praised Mr Seeney’s loyalty and dedication.
He said: “Andy has given an exceptional number of years’ service to the company and should be immensely proud of what he has achieved.
“A real team player, Andy has a brilliant can-do approach, always getting stuck in and delivering.”
-
Oxford News4 weeks agoBanbury cake company with 400 year history shut down
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoBicester man denies sexually assaulting two young girls
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoBicester crash: Motorcyclist ‘seriously injured’ in hospital
-
UK News4 weeks agoStarmer says it ‘beggars belief’ he wasn’t told about Mandelson vetting failure as he faces Commons – UK politics live | Politics
-
UK News4 weeks agoTV tonight: Shetland meets CSI in a new drama about a disgraced cop | Television
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoYoung farmers club hosts fun farm competitions in Bicester
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoOxfordshire ‘hidden trap’ pothole leads to compensation payout
-
UK News4 weeks agoFears over rogue parking by sunrise-chasers at national park after overnight ban