The Priestley 250th anniversary celebrations continued in the Pocket Park this weekend where a special collage was unveiled.
The 'Oxygen For Life' collage has been made by the Calne Reconnecting Group, a group that supports Calne seniors to reduce social isolation, helping with mental health and wellbeing.
The group is run by volunteers, including the Older Person and Carers Champion for Calne, Diane Gooch who came up with the idea of the collage. Members of the Reconnecting group each had a square that they then designed to fit with the concept.
Gus Gooch, of Calne Men's Shed, designed a custom frame and the work is now mounted on the side of the shed at the Pocket Park.
Cllr Tim Havenith was there to cut the ribbon, he said it was 'a privilege' to stand in for the mayor to unveil the artwork and thanked members of the Reconnecting Group who had contributed to the collage, celebrating Priestley's discovery of oxygen. He then cut a celebratory cake before Calne Samba Band drew the crowds with a performance followed by a workshop for children.
Throughout the afternoon volunteers at the Pocket Park ran a pop-up cafe with homemade cakes.
John Boaler, Chairman of Calne Pocket Park, said it had been a really enjoyable afternoon and thanked the volunteers for making the visitors so welcome.
The next event at the Pocket Park is ‘Oxygenfest’ on Tuesday 13th August. Family activities will run from 10.30am-4.30pm including ‘The Secret World of Gases’ by the British Oxygen Company (sessions at 11.00, 12.00, 1.00 & 2.00). Joseph Priestley will be present, telling his story and performing experiments. There will be an opportunity to make fizzy water (which Priestley also invented) and to see and practise life-saving CPR, in addition to some art and craft activities related to oxygen.
All activities are free and the Pocket Park volunteers will be running a pop-up cafe throughout the day.
If you'd like more information about the Calne Reconnecting Group, please email
Photo credit: Tim Havenith
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