Heron

The Beacons Lantern Parade had caught the attention of the Friends of Wardsend Cemetery and I was invited to do a lantern activity for their forthcoming anniversary event. Howard Bailey from the friend’s group was keen to involve Burton Street Foundation, a local project providing support for people with learning disabilities. I’d run puppet making and art activities for B.S.F. years before, so I was delighted about this collaboration.

I began by running a few workshops with small groups of adults attending Burton Street Foundation. We drew local birds and turned them as if by magic, into lanterns!

Meanwhile back at home, I set about making a willow heron to take along to the event for visitors to help cover with tissue paper.

We took the heron and my kingfisher along for support

My good friend Saleema helped run the activity and visitors helped cover the willow structure with tissue paper and made their own lanterns to take home – which were much smaller!

By the end of the day, we had completely covered the heron. It seemed only fitting to take it down to the banks of the nearby River Don for a photo shoot!

All in all it was a great day – a fantastic project!

The Sheffield Telegraph praised the event with a centre spread article