Pupils shine at Downham Market arts and dance showcase

There was a colourful scene at Downham’s town hall as pupils from three schools staged a new exhibition of art and dance.

Youngsters from the town’s Nelson Academy were joined by pupils from the schools in Emneth and Southery for the display last Friday and Saturday.

All three schools are part of the Eastern Multi-Academy Trust.

Emneth’s pupils have previously performed at Lynn’s Corn Exchange, so audiences were treated to their well rehearsed choreography.

The theme of the exhibition was ‘colours’ and each class was given a colour to work with, to produce artwork.

Nelson’s reception class painted the town hall red, quite literally, with their allocated shade.

There were various pieces on display including a giant strawberry.

A rare marine mammal also made an appearance, a large blue whale.

Gill Sekatawa, head of arts at Nelson, said: “The cardboard whale was too large for the car boot!

“So we travelled to the hall with it’s tail sticking out of the car. It was quite funny.”

Townsfolk and parents gathered in droves to admire the children’s artwork.

Gill said: “There wasn’t one child who didn’t have something to show their parents, it makes us very proud.

“We’ve been doing this for years now and we really see the pupils shine.

“Those who aren’t as confident academically find confidence in art, and that’s what we like to see.”

Visitors said that the expo was “very relaxing” to look around and had a kind of “rainbow effect”.

Gill said: “It’s so good to see the schools come together and we hope to be involved with more trust schools in the future.

“I would like to thank everyone involved on behalf of the school- right from the heads of the trust to the person who secured the whale in the boot.”