Artistic youngsters have added a splash of fresh seaside colour to brighten up The Ham.

They all took part in a Climate Conversation event which saw local activists and project groups coming together with academics and artists specialising in these fields.

To mark the occasion, Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub invited young people to roll up their sleeves and help revamp the town’s popular Fish Wall Mural.

Louise Cole, Director of Sidmouth Coastal Community Hub said: “Given that it has been 10 years since the wall was created, it was in need of some TLC and we wanted to invite children to take part once again.

“Unfortunately, due to coronavirus, it wasn’t possible to organise any hands-on activity until now, and so, in order to include as many as possible we asked Sidmouth CofE Primary to create new designs in class.

“They did this brilliantly and created fantastic vibrant new designs – some of which are quite complex. We invited the community to help us to realise their designs on the fish once we had grouted them and painted them white ready for the new designs. We have been so pleased by the response to help out, from all generations.”

Louise said the project was still work in progress with just a few more fish left to paint.

She added: “We have had so many comments about how much people love the fish wall. It was hard to make the decision to paint over the original designs and know that the children who painted them – some of whom are now in their 20s – may feel a pang of loss for their designs.

“However, we hope that this provides a long new lease of life and inspires people to get creative and that it gives as much joy again to everyone in the community and visitors to Sidmouth.”

As part of the event, families enjoyed craft activities including a pot making demo with Dave French from East Devon Withy Pots and story-telling from the Coral garden.

Climate Conversations is funded by East Devon District Council and Art Council England.

Sidmouth Herald: Fish mural repaintingFish mural repainting (Image: Sarah Hall)

Sidmouth Herald: Fish mural repaintingFish mural repainting (Image: Sarah Hall)

Sidmouth Herald: Fish mural repaintingFish mural repainting (Image: Sarah Hall)

Sidmouth Herald: Fish mural repaintingFish mural repainting (Image: Sarah Hall)

Sidmouth Herald: Fish mural repaintingFish mural repainting (Image: Sarah Hall)

Sidmouth Herald: Fish mural repaintingFish mural repainting (Image: Sarah Hall)

Sidmouth Herald: Fish mural repaintingFish mural repainting (Image: Sarah Hall)

Sidmouth Herald: Fish mural repaintingFish mural repainting (Image: Sarah Hall)

Sidmouth Herald: Fish mural repaintingFish mural repainting (Image: Sarah Hall)

Sidmouth Herald: Fish mural repaintingFish mural repainting (Image: Sarah Hall)

Sidmouth Herald: Fish mural repaintingFish mural repainting (Image: Sarah Hall)

Sidmouth Herald: Fish mural repaintingFish mural repainting (Image: Sarah Hall)

Sidmouth Herald: Fish mural repaintingFish mural repainting (Image: Sarah Hall)