TOWNSFOLK in Wiveliscombe celebrated the unveiling of the Children of the Great War Memorial Mosaic in Jubilee Gardens.

Local artists Jo Dove and Sara Fairfax worked with town children to produce a piece that drew gasps of admiration from a big crowd when the green veil fell back. It is hoped the mosaic will be the focus of commemorative events in future years.

The unveiling was the culmination of a two-year Heritage Lottery Fund project led by Wiveliscombe Civic Society. Former Wiveliscombe Primary School pupil Evelyn Cherry helped Nerys Watts, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in the South-West, with the formal unveiling. Mayor of Taunton Deane Cllr Vivienne Stock-Williams also attended.

Evelyn read her prize-winning poem ‘The Poppy Field’ and Callum Chapple received a prize for his artwork featured in the book and set of postcards to accompany the memorial, also launched on Saturday.

People had the opportunity to have Great War mementos professionally photographed as part of the project archive and the Mayor judged a ‘Great War Bake-Off’.

Civic Society chairman Pauline Homeshaw said that the Heritage Lottery Fund awarded the project £10,000 in 2014. Children would discover the memories and heritage of local people whose families lived through the First World War.

They researched the war’s history, visited Somerset Heritage Centre and St Andrew’s churchyard, and spoke with residents of local care home Pulsford Lodge to inspire their work on the mosaic memorial.

The Civic Society would like to thank everyone who made the project so successful.