Britain's official guide to canals, rivers and lakes

Friday 9th January 2009

‘Suncatcher’ craft session will brighten autumn gloom

27th Nov 2008

Stoke-on-Trent youngsters are being invited to bring a little sunshine into their lives under an exciting initiative to promote the city’s new look waterway network to local communities.

Caldon Canal

A two hour ‘suncatcher’ session is being staged on Saturday 29 November in the children’s section of Hanley’s City Central Library in Bethesda Street, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.

Young people will be given the tools to create decorative ‘suncatchers’, using the traditional canal style of artwork known as ‘Rose & Castles’ under expert tutelage. A 'suncatcher' is a small, reflective glass or mother of pearl piece that is hung at indoor windows, so that it catches the light from a nearby source.

They were first made by Native Americans as a mystical artifact centuries ago. 'Suncatchers' are traditionally created individually by hand, and can be of varying simplicity of design, from an arts and crafts project to a professionally handmade glass sculpture.

The drop-in craft session – part of the ‘Canals for the Community’ project – is open to primary school aged children.

Project Co-ordinator Cassie Weaver says the idea is to encourage young people to develop a taste for adventure on their own doorstep by visiting their local waterways. “The canals of Stoke-on-Trent have been transformed beyond recognition in recent years. Now over 17 kilometres of them provide a green community lung for people of all ages to enjoy,” said Ms Weaver.

“Many people may be unaware that they have a wildlife reserve within walking distance of their home. ‘Canals for the Community’ aims to show everyone who hasn’t visited their local waterway recently just what they are missing,” she added.

Youngsters can take home the colourful decorations they make – plus free waterway activity packs showing how the whole family can enjoy this wonderful free leisure amenity. The only stipulations are that children have adult supervision at all times and wear old clothes as the session involves using permanent marker pens.

‘Canals for the Community’ is a three year project that is supported by The National Lottery through the Big Lottery Fund, British Waterways, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, SAFE (Stoke Angling for Everyone) and Burslem School of Art.