Most of you should know by now that there is a project to install a mosaic in Swindon Playing Fields.

The idea was first launched at the Church summer fete in 2002 - we had a marquee showing samples of work by the artist Martin Cheek, who enjoys a national reputation for his work in mosaics, a display of related work by Swindon Village Primary Schoolchildren and a full-size mock-up of the inter-active sundial which will be the central feature of the mosaic.

The idea of the sundial is that a child will stand on the appropriate month in the central area of the mosaic and can see the time from where his/her shadow will fall.

The sundial feature will be surrounded by sixteen mosaic roundels produced by Martin Cheek following a series of Design Workshops held at Swindon Village Primary School and at the Star Centre for disabled children in Ullenwood. At the summer fete in 2002 and in a subsequent "Village News" article Swindon parishioners were invited to submit what they thought of as their favourite images of Swindon Parish - and these were to become the subjects for the various mosaic roundels. Children from the local school and from the Star Centre were able to learn more about how mosaics are made in sessions led by Martin Cheek, Jane Bywater (an Arts Co-ordinator provided by the Cheltenham Arts Council) and the Head of Art at Swindon Village Primary School.

The whole feature will be 'framed' by an irregular hexagon in the plan of St Lawrence Church tower - possibly with a small viewing platform which will bear information notes and sponsorship recognition.

Although the sundial is aimed towards children, the project is all about celebrating our local heritage. People of all ages viewing the mosaic will be able to learn from the information notes such things as why we have certain road names and where the name "Swindon" originates.

Originally, the sundial mosaic was to be installed on the Playing Fields near Church Road and the Village Hall together with play equipment as a joint project with Cheltenham Borough Council. However, the mosaic and play equipment had to be separated into two different projects in 2003 when CBC announced it had no funds available for play equipment in the near future. Another reason for the split was that neighbouring residents had expressed their concerns about noise and possible vandalism generated by children using play equipment close to their homes.

(It is now proposed to install the play equipment near Mary Godwin Pavilion, as was agreed when the idea was first brought up early in the 1990's. The latest news is that CBC now seems to have some funds available!).

In its new form, the Mosaic Project seems to be progressing well; the design is approaching final stages and we have been given encouraging news about a grant from the Local Heritage Initiative (Lottery money administered by the Countryside Agency).

All the mosaic roundels have been completed now. They will be on show at the Swindon Village Society meeting on 17 March and a larger display is expected at the back of the School Hall during the Parish Assembly on 30 March.

We are always looking at ways to engage the wider community in the project and our latest scheme is "Sponsor a Brick". Although most of the cost will come from grants and up to £1000 from Swindon Parish Council we are seeking a small amount from parishioners. It would greatly help our project if you would consider paying £10 for an incised brick to be positioned within the feature - if, say, only 25 people did this it would help us show other potential sponsors that we have wider support than just the people directly involved. Why don't you consider paying £10 and then come along to one of the next Design Workshops?

Please get in touch if you would like to do this or if you would just like to know more about the project.

Regards

Stephen Holley

Secretary, Swindon Village Mosaic Project

and Clerk of Swindon Parish Council