A FESTIVAL commemorating a famous Whitchurch artist was held this weekend after months of preparation.

The Caldecott Festival, honouring Randolph Caldecott, took place in Whitchurch on Saturday, March 19 and was attended by North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan, the High Sheriff of Shropshire Anthony Morris-Eyton and Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire, Anna Turner.

There were a number of activities on offer, including workshops at School's Out Activity Club and Nursery, Green End, led by Chris Ryder.

Chris, a leading caricature artist who has worked for Liverpool FC, praised Professor Norma Raynes for organising the festival.

Whitchurch Herald: Caldecott Arts Festival workshop at Schools Out with caricaturist Chris Ryder (right). Photograph taken by Howard Barlow.Caldecott Arts Festival workshop at Schools Out with caricaturist Chris Ryder (right). Photograph taken by Howard Barlow.

Chris said: "I think Norma has done an amazing job to organise the festival.

"It is great that it is opening up art activities to young people and getting them interested.

"It is good to celebrate a local artist in Randolph Caldecott, that we are celebrating him and using that platform as a way of bringing art to young people."

Some families had travelled from well outside the area to attend the festival.

Laura Cahill, from Stockport said: "It has been really good, I have been very impressed.

"A fair few were really getting involved and pitching in.

Whitchurch Herald: Festival organiser Professor Norma Raynes, on the right. Photograph taken by Howard BarlowFestival organiser Professor Norma Raynes, on the right. Photograph taken by Howard Barlow

"I have got a son who is only really just getting into drawing and he has been upstairs for ages.

"My daughter likes drawing and when you ask her what she wants to be when she is older, she says she wants to be an artist."

Caldecott's work was on display at the Whitchurch Heritage Centre.

Staff at the museum felt the day had gone well and said they received complements from visitors.

Whitchurch Herald: Randolph Caldecott painting on display at Whitchurch Heritage CentreRandolph Caldecott painting on display at Whitchurch Heritage Centre

Judith Hoyle, creator at the Whitchurch Heritage Centre said: "People have been very complementary about the museum.

"We have worked very hard to raise a special Caldecott display to support the festival.

"A lot of his early pictures, they are actually are of around here.

"He wasn't just an illustrator of children's books.

"He was a talented sculptor, he did cartoons, sketches, he was a medalist."

Ms Morgan praised the organisers and was delighted to see young people getting involved

She said: "The organisers of the Caldecott Arts Festival really made it a day to remember, even managing to get the sun to make an appearance!”

"It was such a delight to see artistic drawings and dance performances from the children of Shropshire, and an honour to be invited alongside the High Sheriff & Lord Lieutenant of Shropshire."