Help needed in designing Ellesmere's Labyrinth walkway

The garden by Ellesmere Sculpture Initiative, will be situated by the mere and will commemorate the pioneering achievements of Ellesmere-born Eglantyne Jebb and Dorothy Buxton, who launched the international aid agency in 1919.

It will include a landmark art installation, and an intricate labyrinth walkway – symbolising the harrowing journeys made by children fleeing conflicts around the world over the last century.

Two leading sculptors are being commissioned to create the art installation near the main entrance to Cremorne Gardens. Local people are being asked to come up with ideas for the labyrinth.

Trudi Graham, artistic co-ordinator, said that local children had been asked to put themselves in the shoes of refugees and describe what they would do if they were made to flee their home.

“Earlier this year, we held art and writing sessions at the schools when we asked children to imagine what it would be like if they were suddenly forced to leave their homes because of war,” she said. “Where they would go, what they would take with them and how they would find food and shelter.

“Their response, in words and pictures, was touching and impressive.

“Now, we’re taking the exercise a step further by asking children to think about ideas to develop a labyrinth.

“Hopefully, this will provide more inspiration for what people will see when the whole art installation and the new garden area are completed next spring.

“We want it to be a poignant reminder of the suffering that so many refugee children have faced in places such as Syria and Yemen, and how the visionary efforts of Eglantyne and Dorothy have resulted in Save the Children providing much-needed aid and support.”

An art workshop will be held at Ellesmere library between 10am and 12noon on Saturday, November 2 when parents and children can try out different designs, discover more about this ancient symbol and put forward their own labyrinth patterns.