Attendance at the display exceeded expectations with many of the entrants, their families and friends attending to view the display. Although quiet at the 10.00am opening with only a few passer-by, by 11.00am it was busy with a steady flow of people until the close at 3.00pm.

At 2.00pm, prizes were awarded to the winners and runners up by Albert Ripamonti, President of the Rotary Club of Matlock and Geoff Stevens, Mayor of Matlock.  Geoff Kersey who had been part of the judging team with Pollyanna Pickering also attended to lend his support and voice his appreciation of the children’s work.

Our main sponsors Turners Art of Rowsley had donated paper, paints and brushes to all the schools and on the day, contributed to the prizes by giving vouchers redeemable at their outlet in Rowsley. Geoff Kersey and Pollyanna Pickering generously donated signed books, art paper, calendars and other assorted gifts.

A community painting was undertaken to add to the activities and to raise funds for the “Thanks for Life” - End Polio Now Campaign. Many colourful splodges were added by little and large fingers to form the background of the painting. When finished, the tape on the canvas will be removed to reveal the letters of ‘Thanks for Life, the theme of the painting Competition. A suitable location is being considered for its permanent display and we would welcome suggestions.

Jill Limmack, Managing Director of Turners Art was involved from the beginning and was able to give invaluable advice on the paints and pastels, paper and brushes that should be used. Geoff Kersey kindly visited one of the schools to offer advice.

Matlock Rotary President, Albert Ripamonti, gave his thanks to all the teachers at the participating schools, the Mayor and the competition judges and the sponsors, Turners Art.  He especially thanked the children who created some wonderful pictures that made the job of judging incredibly hard.

Rotary would also like to thank all the visitors on the day for attending - the visitors came from Brassington, Bonsall, Crich, Cromford, South Darley, Matlock Bath and Matlock.

Thanks for Life _End Polio Now Campaign

Rotary has been working to eradicate Polio from the world. When they started in 1986, the disease was prevalent in 125 countries. Now it exists in only 4 (India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria). Our international objective is to raise funds to immunize the children of the last 4 countries so that they have the same life chances as our own children.

A total of £350 was raised from the schools’, this will be added to the proceeds from the Sainsbury’s collection carried out by Matlock Rotary on the 19^th & 20^th February to raise the gross amount of £1228.00.  The net proceeds will be sent to the Polio Eradication Fund.

Awarded entrants are as follows –

Winners -

Runners up –

Highly Commended –

Commended –