Young designers give Bovey Tracey World Cup window a colourful kick-off
With World Cup excitement building mid-tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, we created our own World Cup crowd pleaser here in Bovey Tracey, with local children’s kit designs stealing the spotlight.
Our Mare and Foal Sanctuary shop in Bovey Tracey became a gallery of children’s artwork this summer, thanks to a simple idea that has brought the community together.
At our shop on Fore Street, we invited primary school pupils from Bovey Tracey Academy to design and colour their own World Cup football kits to feature in a special window display.
Families were able to spot their children’s creations every time they walked past, adding a personal touch to the town’s World Cup celebrations.
Our Shop Manager, Cassie Wheaton, first approached the school with the idea earlier this year. Our shop team then created and printed special colouring sheets, which went home in school bags. The completed designs soon came back to the shop, ready to take pride of place in the window.
The result was a bright, eye-catching display of unique football kit designs, each one labelled with the child’s name. Children have been visiting the window with family and friends to point out their work, turning a quick trip into town into a moment of pride.
Cassie feels the response from children and parents has been very positive. She said: ‘It’s worked really well and we thought it would be a nice way to involve the local community in the charity and our window displays. We have loved working with Bovey Tracey Academy and hope to involve them again soon for another one or two window displays, possibly for the summer carnival.’
Mrs Spindlow, a teacher at the Academy said: ‘The children absolutely loved getting stuck in and creating their own football art for The Mare and Foal Sanctuary window. They were buzzing with excitement and put so much effort into making their designs as bright and colourful as possible. We had such a great time joining in with them!’
We are the South West’s largest horse welfare charity, with four sanctuary sites in Devon. Our four charity shops in the South Devon area play a key role in raising funds to care for more than 550 rescued horses, ponies and foals, as well as supporting our education and outreach work.
Residents who stopped to admire the window were encouraged to step inside, find out more about our work and support the charity by donating or buying good quality items. Even small purchases help us to continue providing expert care for horses and ponies in need, both in the South West and through our wider welfare work.
