Mosses Banners a Big Hit at Theatre Severn Event
February 25, 2022
On Wednesday 23 February 2022, a group of some 50 guests joined in a celebration of the Marches Mosses Banners Project, “peat-surface-sky” at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury. Members of the Wem Youth Group worked with artists Sue Challis and Kate Johnston to create three, seven metre tall banners, which bring the Marches Mosses peatland to life.
The youth group members were joined at Theatre Severn by The High Sheriff of Shropshire Tony Morris-Eyton and Shrewsbury Mayor Julian Dean.
Wem Youth Group members with Shrewsbury Mayor Julian Dean 
Wem Youth Group members with The High Sheriff of Shropshire Tony Morris-Eyton
This project came out of a collaboration between the Wem Youth Group, Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Natural England. It is part of an overall project called “Mosses and Marshes”, led in the UK by local artist Andrew Howe, who is working with Australia-based artist Kim V. Goldsmith to make links with another wetland of international significance at the Macquarie Marshes in New South Wales. The project was supported by an Arts Council England grant.
Anna Martin, Marches Mosses Events Officer, Shropshire Wildlife Trust, collaborated with the artists and supported the youth group members to learn more about the Mosses. She is very proud of the work the group achieved: “What was wonderful about this project was that it gave local young people a chance to really get to know this important place on their doorstep. The project has had real depth, created lasting memories and a sense of connection to the Mosses for the young people involved.”
The banners remain on display until 28 February at Theatre Severn, where they can be viewed whenever the theatre is open. We encourage you to take a look!
