Pupils artwork tracks secret river

Pupils from Hareclive Primary School in Hartcliffe will be marking the passage of an underground route of the Malago River by installing mosaic river tiles at Spacemakers in Wilmott Park, Hartcliffe on 24th July 2008.

The pupils created the mosiacs with local artist Sarah Round as part of two "Finding the River" fieldwork days in March this year. The pupils used what they had learnt during the field work and a poem about the Malago as inspiration for the mosaic designs.

Executive Member for Culture and Heathy Communities Cllr Rosalie Walker said:

"The project is a great example of how parks and green spaces can be used by schools as outdoor classrooms. Through involvement with the project the pupils have learnt about the world on their doorstep and helped enhance the park as a space for all the community to enjoy."

During the field day pupils found out about the River Malago and its tributaries, one of which flows underground through Willmott Park, adjacent to their school. A local expert taught pupils the ancient art of water dousing to find and mark out the course of the underground river with handmade river flags. Staff from the Environment Agency helped pupils to test and record water quality and look at the ecology of the stream.

The fieldwork was organised by the Living River Project as part of the Neighbourhood Renewal funded Bristol Parks Improvement Programme which has been working to raise the quality of Willmott Park through improvements including dedicated park keepers, tree planting a new paved seating area and games area.

For more information about Living Rivers Project, please view