Four winners in children up to 12 years old from Stonham Aspal Primary

Stonham Barns Park at Stonham Aspal – one of Suffolk’s premier retail, leisure and holiday venues – has sparked a wave of creativity among Suffolk’s young people by launching a special mug design competition celebrating everything that makes the county unique.  The venue has just announced the winners of the competition after receiving almost 100 entries to the competition.

Open to children of Stonham Aspal Primary School, the competition asked the under 12s to create a mug design that captures the spirit of their village or Suffolk as a whole through their eyes.

The 50 entries received from the children were diverse and varied as expected. First Place was awarded to Scarlet Dodd of Pettaugh (aged 7), who put together a delightful Suffolk village scene featuring Stonham Aspal Primary School, the village of Debenham and the River Deben along with a church, windmill, cornfield and animals. Jenson Connor from Earl Stonham (aged 7) was awarded Second Prize having submitted a drawing of a windmill, while joint Third Prize was awarded to Maisy Fiddamam from Stonham Aspal (aged 9) who featured a single red tractor in a field and Mabel Harrison also of Stonham Aspal (aged 9) who featured the tearooms and toy shop at Stonham Barns Park beside a creatively designed ‘technicoloured’ shop.

While Stonham Barns Park planned for there to be three winners the entries were so inspired that the family venue decided to award four prizes.  As well as having their designs made into mugs, winners will receive cash prizes of £50, 25 and £10 respectively.

By organising this competition, Stonham Barns Park – and renowned local teapot pottery Carters of Suffolk – have given the local children a unique opportunity to share what they love about their home through art – and see it brought to life on a real product – a mug together with a matching teapot for the winner!

The winning designs were professionally printed on the items by Carters of Suffolk, turning children’s creativity into something lasting and tangible.

‘We are proud to provide a platform for local children to celebrate where they live and to see their imagination turned into something real,’ said John Baldry from Carters of Suffolk.  ‘The range of entries was stunning.  The children really do see the county in such different ways, each choosing a different viewpoint on what is one of the most beautiful counties in the country.’

‘The entries show just how much Suffolk is imprinted on its young people.’

Said Headteacher Ben Hemmings from Stonham Aspal Primary School, ‘We were delighted to be asked by Stonham Barns Park to take part in this competition which was rolled out over the summer holiday period.

‘We are always looking for opportunities to link with the local community and offer extra-curricular opportunities to our pupils and this competition was the perfect fit for the children.’

‘The competition has given the children a unique chance to demonstrate their artistic skills and I am excited to see the winning work bought to life by Carters of Suffolk Teapot Pottery.’

‘It is clear that children feel proud to be able to call the county of Suffolk their home.’

The winning mugs will soon be available to buy at Carters of Suffolk at Stonham Barns Park, giving visitors the chance to take home a piece of Suffolk as seen through the eyes of its next generation of artists.

Stonham Aspal Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School is a school for children aged 5-11.  It is a pyramid school for Debenham High School.