Children's Festival event in Pelham Square

Held on 14th April 2008

By Jackie Fuller, Friends of Pelham Square

An event was held in Pelham Square as part of the Easter holiday Brighton & Hove Children's Festival on 14th April 2008 and proved a great success.

Graffiti art

Gazebos were erected and large canvases were hung onto the railings for the children to try their hand at graffiti art. Pens and paper were provided so that they could first plan their creations and then some experienced street artists helped them to realise their drawings onto one of several large canvases. All the children were given masks to wear so that they didn't breathe in any fumes from the spray paint. Some of the creations were truly magnificent and were later taken to the Komedia to provide a backdrop for Children's Festival events being held there, so giving them a longer life and enabling others to admire them.

Badge making

Other children had a go at badge making and some just enjoyed running round the Square. Orange squash was provided for the children to drink.

The mateials ran out

Far more children came to this event than had been planned for, so much so that we soon ran out of the initial supply of spray paint provided by the Council. Very many thanks to David Samuels from Rarekind for donating another generous supply, which kept us going for the rest of the afternoon. Sadly we were not able to replenish the badge-making materials, which also ran out, because the Resource Centre, which had provided this equipment, was not open on the day of the event.

Use the garden!

We would like to encourage North Laine residents to use Pelham Square for your children's parties or picnics over the summer. Even though the Pavilion Garden is not far away, this is the only open space we have that is actually in the North Laine.

[Previously published in the 'North Laine Runner', No 192, May/June 2008]

All photos by Jackie Fuller