Children get creative at Swindon park’s half-term kite event (From Swindon Advertiser)

Children get creative at Swindon park’s half-term kite event

4:30pm Tuesday 12th February 2013 in News By Emma Dunn

KITES will be soaring across town this week after dozens of children took part in a workshop at Lydiard Park.

Schoolchildren enjoyed hour-long kite-making sessions yesterday as part of the venue’s half-term holiday activities.

Kirsty Nichol, education and outreach officer at Lydiard Park, said the event had proved popular with families.

“Every holiday we do a series of craft activities, Lydiard has become renowned for that,” she said. “We like it to be as creative as possible. This activity will help them to get outside, too.

“We chose this activity because it involves cutting, sticking and hand-eye co-ordination. It is an educational activity. Some of the families are thinking about going home and extending their kites too.”

They used drinking straws, fishing line, 10m of kite string and tissue paper to make the kites.

“They get everything they need for the kite at the workshop and once it is dry they can fly it,” said Kirsty.

Among the children taking part was Rebecca Mason, eight, of Old Walcot, who was at the event with her nan, Terri Aldridge, of Wroughton.

Becky, who is a pupil at Laines-mead Primary School, said: “I am really enjoying it.

“When I have finished I am going to fly it in Lydiard Park.

“I am making mine red because it is my favourite colour.

“I have made a kite before and it was really hard because I was doing it on my own.”

Terri said: “We like to do things together and we like the activities at Lydiard. We have come back lots of times. We have really enjoyed kite-making.”

Also taking part was Hana Moyse, seven, of Haydon Wick, who was with her nan, Lin Moyse, of Rodbourne Cheney.

Hana, who is a pupil at Haydonleigh Primary School, said: “Making kites is fun but it is quite fiddly. They have been teaching us how to do them. I think my kite will fly. I am going to take it to Barbury Castle.”

Lin said: “We have been to similar things before. In the holidays we always look on the internet to see what is going on. Hana said she would like to take part in this. She absolutely loves making things.”

On Thursday, a Lovely Lanterns craft session will take place, which will give children the chance to make a painted glass tea light holder.

The session costs £3 per child and no booking is required. Children should visit the Coach House next to the Tea Rooms in Lydiard Park between noon and 3pm.

The State Rooms of Lydiard House are also hosting a new children’s quiz trail specially created for half-term visitors.

Children can follow clues in the paintings and photos on display to find out more about the pets and animals that were owned by the St John family in the past.

Lydiard House is open Tuesday to Sunday between 11am and 4pm. The quiz trail is included in cost of entry to the house and is available until February 17.