Piecing together art and history, pupils from Ysgol Caer Drewyn, Corwen, took part in a mosaic project with local artist, Patricia Jones aimed at promoting the Iron Age hillfort, Caer Drewyn – a site which lies above the town of Corwen.

Since the beginning of the year, pupils from years 5 & 6 from the school have been hard at work with Patricia Jones of Classical Mosaic and the Heather and Hillforts Project to create a large mosaic, which will be displayed outside Corwen Leisure Centre.

Patricia Jones said “The aim was to incorporate imagery of the hillfort and its historical Celtic associations, as well as flora and fauna of the area and references to distinctive buildings from the town of Corwen.
“The Year 5 & 6 children from Ysgol Caer Drewyn really enjoyed their workshop sessions at the school in early 2009.”

Materials used included mosaic vitreous glass, Italian smalti, ceramic, recycled china and porcelain, glass beads, granite pebbles on within a frame of wind-blown, seasoned, locally sourced oak. The oak frame work and installation was by local carpenter Adam Ashworth.

Erin Robinson, Heather and Hillforts Interpretation Officer said “Caer Drewyn hillfort is managed by Denbighshire County Council’s Countryside Service and enjoyed and visited by many. We hope that this beautiful mosaic at the start of the trail to the fort will encourage more people to enjoy this spectacular and special place for years to come.”

The project was organised and funded by the Heather and Hillforts Landscape Partnership Scheme. Throughout the workshop sessions the children learned about what the Countryside Service does to conserve the archaeology and the ecology in the area and about the importance of the site as a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The mosaic was unveiled in a short ceremony attended by Vice-Chairman of Denbighshire County Council, Councillor Meirick Lloyd Davies, headteacher, Mrs Jayne Davies, head boy, Josh McCook, head girl, Libby Williams and Leisure Centre Manager, Adrian Roberts.

In his speech, Councillor Meirick Lloyd Davies said: “The students’ local knowledge of the site and artistic flair have worked hand-in-hand to create a work of art to show off this dramatic landscape - especially the Iron Age hillfort which keeps a watchful eye over the town.”