Pupils' art to decorate buses (From Swindon Advertiser)

Pupils' art to decorate buses

2:30pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in News

ARTY schoolchildren from Swindon have pulled out the stops to decorate a bus with pictures of their favourite places.

The colourful Thamesdown Transport single-decker sports the winning creations from a competition involving more than 500 pupils.

The seven winners and runners-up went with their families to the unveiling at the company’s depot, in Cheney Manor, yesterday.

Jennifer Langman, 10, of Lethbridge Primary School, won the judges’ special award for her vibrant painting of the Old Town bandstand.

Mum Alison, 42, said: “It’s brilliant, we’re chuffed to bits by it. She has loved art since she was little and would sit in front of the TV with a pen and paper. We’ve told all our friends to look out for the bus.”

Kiera Marie Rawlings, five, of Tregoze Primary School, was reception class winner with her picture of Lydiard Park.

Mum Georgina said: “Kiera had a problem with her eyes for a long time, and she drew this picture before it was treated.

“She has always liked drawing and colouring. We’re really pleased.”

First place in the Years One and Two category went to Adam McCarthy, seven, of Lawn Primary School who drew Swindon Town Football Club and top spot in the Years Three to Six category was awarded to Courtney Jones, nine, of Even Swindon Primary School, who drew Lydiard House.

The runners up were Millie White, four, of Lawn Primary School for her picture of the Polo Ground, Gabriela Sojkawska, eight, also of Lawn Primary School, who drew The Oasis, and Talia Hayward, six, of Grange Infants School, who drew her own school.

As well as seeing their pictures on the side of the bus, the winners received money for their school to spend on art equipment.

Paul Jenkins, managing director of Thamesdown Transport, said: “We were overwhelmed by the standard of entries from all the schools.

“The children had obviously put a lot of time and effort into their pictures. It was very difficult to choose the winners.

“There are a lot of talented budding artists in Swindon and we are pleased to show their work on this very colourful bus.”

The bus will be on services 1/1A, 13, 14 and 17.