Langport & Huish Episcopi Youth are flying the flags for the town

May 16, 2012 - PRLog -- Aged between 8 to 19 years old, approximately 25 children and young people took part in this art project to design flags that will decorate the town during the summer months when Langport will host a number of events.  It is hoped that the flags will fly for summer markets, The Friendly Society Walk, The Langport Walking Festival,The Langport Cultural Festival, celebrate The Queen’s Jubilee and other happy occasions.

The children and young people represented the youth club, together with ex members and additional local young people who came on board in response to local adverts asking for assistance to design the flag.

The ideas for the designs came from the children and young people themselves and their thoughts about their local community.  The following are just a few of the designers who created the 25 flags.
The idea of the flag representing The Battle of Langport came from Cameron, aged 12, whilst the illustration of the River Parrett came from Kerri who is 18 years old.
Lauren who is 17 thought up a glove themed one after visiting a house with a “gloving window”.  Lauren researched the history of this local trade to design this flag.  George, who is 13 years old, thought of doing a “Friendly Society” walk flag as his father takes part in the walk each year and George wants to as well when he is older.  The illustration of the willows and cricket game came from Will, 15 years old and his friend Rafi, 16 years old.

The project involved Somerset artist, Richard Godden who runs the organisation Play Art.  During his time in Langport, Richard worked with the young people in the youth club to create the designs over a period of four weeks. The designs have now been dispatched to Andy Hawthorn to be created into silk flags that will brighten up the town.
The funding for this collaborative project has come from a partnership between Somerset Community Foundation, the Langport Area Business Group (LABG) via individual sponsors, South Somerset District Council Arts Development and Langport Town Council.

Pedro Aparicio, Chair of the Langport Area Business Group and Pauline Burr, the Arts Development Officer from South Somerset District Council thought of this project, and approached Annie Shillabeer, who runs the Langport and Huish Episcopi Youth Club.  With the support of other organisations, the project came together with lots of enthusiasm from all those involved.  The town is now eagerly awaiting the arrival of the silk flags based on the designs of the local youngsters.

A quiz, relating to the flags is being produced by the young people of the area to help raise additional funds.

There will be an exhibition of the children and young people’s original artworks in the Ridgway Hall on 3rd June for all to see.