THE winners of Tonbridge’s Dementia Art Competition were announced at the Castle on Friday [May 25] as the finale of Dementia Action Week.
The Mayor, Pam Bates, handed out the prizes along with books donated by West Kent Freemasons, who were represented by Provincial Charity Steward Roland Stokes.
The works of art, submitted by children from reception up to Year 9, will be on display at Tonbridge Old Fire Station for the next two weeks.
Chris Parker, founder and Chair of the town’s Dementia Friendly Community, said: ‘The entries were outstanding – amazing, in fact – and it was very clear to me that those children had a personal relationship with dementia.
‘You felt it from the way they had drawn it, or from what they had written on the back.’
‘It’s brilliant that we’ve engaged with the younger generation – and with their parents. We’ve reached out to a lot of people in Tonbridge.’
She added: ‘We hope they will share the books with their friends and schools.
‘They are age appropriate and each has a character with dementia.’
Another highlight of the week was a sports taster session offered by tmactive, the leisure arm of Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council, at the Angel Centre on Thursday.
There were 32 people at the sports hall, trying out all sorts of different sports, indoor bowling, darts, golf, table tennis, basketball. It is hoped the event will become a regular feature.
Ms Parker said: ‘There are some real positives to take away from the week, I am absolutely delighted with how it went.’
Prize winners
Group 1 (Reception to Year 3)
1st: Alice Wheeler, age 7, entitled Old Memories Escaping,
2nd: Katie Ansell, 7, untitled
3rd: Isaac Wheeler, 5, Forgotten House
4th: Kaya Salwan, 6, Stormy Mind
Group 2 (Years 4-7)
1st: James Ansell, 12, untitled
2nd: Erin Oliver, Year 7, Drifting Away
3rd: Daniel Rowe, 10, I Know You Love Me
4th: Eve Deadman, 11, untitled
Group 3 (Years 8-9)
1st: Alicia Rowe, 13, All You Need Is Love
2nd: Auj Abbas, Year 9, untitled
3rd: Nial Varghese, Year 8, untitled
4th: Edward Waters, Year 8, untitled
PICTURE: ART FROM THE HEART: The Mayor Pam Bates and Roland Stokes of the Freemasons with the Dementia Art Competition winners, (back row) Auj Abbas, James Ansell, Erin Oliver, Megan Hayward, Edward Waters; (middle row) Alicia Rowe, Cleo Prangnell, Katie Ansell, Eve Deadman, Harrison Wheeler, Daniel Rowe; (front row) Kaya Salwan, Isaac Wheeler, Alice Wheeler. PHOTO: Rose Bainbridge
