
Children's nature drawings turned into mural at Devon school
A new mural unveiled in a primary school library in Devon aims to celebrate nature, community and sustainability.The artwork at Sherford Vale School and Nursery was created by Plymouth-based artist Ellie Johnson, also known as Mrs Murals.It was inspired by original designs created by pupils and incorporates elements of their artwork.The drawings of plants and animals were originally created for a nature-themed installation for the King's Coronation based on the book It's Up to Us: A Children's Terra Carta for Nature, People and Planet.
It was commissioned by the Sherford Consortium as a gift to mark the completion of the school building and create a lasting memento.Its completion coincided with the recent retirement of Sherford Vale head teacher Susie Evans, who had led the school since 2021.
Ms Evans said: "It has been a joy to see the children's original artwork transformed into this permanent mural in the heart of our school."It's about developing those individuals to become who they want to be and if they can make a change to this world, then that'd be brilliant."What's quite sad is that, potentially, some of those animals in their design may well be extinct in future years."Ms Johnson said of the piece: "It's been a privilege to bring the children's vision to life in such a beautiful space."Hopefully it will inspire them to love and learn to protect nature and understand that we are a part of nature."
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Edinburgh Live
9 hours ago
- Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh woman pleads to be reunited with Ukrainian husband 'too old to fight'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info An Edinburgh woman hopes to be reunited with her husband who was stuck in their war-torn homeland due to his age. Originally from Kherson in Ukraine, Liudmyla Sinelnyk, found refuge in Edinburgh in 2022. But despite her relief, she was forced to leave her husband, Oleksandr, after living together for 37 years. The 57-year-old is hoping she can be reunited with her husband after the pair 'cried in each others arms' when they were separated due ongoing conflict. Liudmyla moved to the first country to provide her a safe home but Oleksandr was forbidden at that time to join her due to rules meaning men under 60 are not able to leave the country. Speaking to Edinburgh Live, she said: "Since the Russian invasion in 2022, I have been living and working in Edinburgh. "I really need help in reuniting with my husband, Oleksandr, who is now 60 years old and currently living in Dnipro —a city that is under constant shelling and great danger. "In order to bring him to safety in Scotland, we need a UK-based sponsor. According to the requirements, the sponsor must have at least one spare room available for inspection by the Home Office. "This room will only be used to meet the application requirements—Oleksandr will live with me, as I have accommodation and a stable job. "Any support will help save my husband's life." Liudmyla arrived in the capital through the Homes for Ukraine programme and is hoping the same can happen for her husband. She added: "When I left my husband, it was very difficult, we cried for a long time in each other's arms, we lived as a couple for 37 years. "At the beginning of the full-scale war in 2022, I arrived in the first country that provided me with protection. "My husband and I were not able to leave together because men under 60 were not allowed to leave the country due to military service." Join Edinburgh Live's Whatsapp Community here and get the latest news sentstraight to your messages. According to the UK Government website, the Homes for Ukraine programme allows UK citizens to offer a home for those who are fleeing Ukraine. Contributors to the programme can be matched with a person or family who have already lived in the UK but needs a new home. Anyone in the UK can register their interest if they have not already been matched with a Ukrainian person or family. Participants are expected to offer a room for at least six months, they should not have a criminal record and if they are not a British citizen, they must have leave to remain in the UK for at least six months. Information about the Homes for Ukraine Programme can be found here.


BBC News
a day ago
- BBC News
Project offers 'extended family' to Plymouth foster carers
A project offering support for foster families has been described as being like an "extended family".Foster for Plymouth, a service run by the city council, said its mockingbird programme provided families with peer support, social activities and respite care in the form of parent and project leader Lydia Oliver said she had been fostering for 14 years and met up with other foster carers regularly to allow them to get to know and trust one said fostering was rewarding but also hard work. "I think to have someone else come alongside you on that journey is just amazing," said Ms Oliver."I have good friends and support who have loved us through that, which is why we have been able to do it for 14 years; and to be able to offer that to someone else is a real privilege and honour."Duncan and Joe Sargent, who have been fostering for 23 years, have also signed up to be leaders in the project. Mr Sargent said: "It has grown into our extended family. "We are there to support, not only the children, but the foster carers as well who can often struggle and find themselves on their own."The project was launched last year and, one year on, it has been extended and now involves 20 families. Jemima Laing, council cabinet member for children's services, said: "The success of the first mockingbird constellation has been astounding."It's clear that it has had real benefits for both our foster carers and our children and young people."I'm delighted that we're launching our second constellation so that even more of our fostering families can benefit from being part of a tight-knit community."Foster for Plymouth said only local authority foster carers could benefit from the programme and, to be a foster carer, people must be over the age of 21, have a spare room and be genuinely interested in the welfare of children and young people.


Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Chilling mayday call from pilot of doomed plane before it plunges into ocean
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