AN UPCOMING event to honour the life of celebrated illustrator Randolph Caldecott has received a welcome boost in the form of Shropshire Council funding.
Caldecott was born in Chester in 1846 but spent many of his formative years in Whitchurch and will next year be the subject of a town-wide festival.
In the lead up to the festival various events will be held around the town, with assistance from the Shropshire Council Emergency Arts Grant.
The grant will allow various events to take place, which will be held in July, August and September.
Festival organiser Norma Raynes says the events will offer something for everyone.
She said: "Caldecott Festival has won one of Shropshire Council Emergency Arts Grant to fund events for the next six months.
"There will be something on offer for everyone, full of fun and all of it at no cost, i.e. all our events are free.
"You can watch professional story tellers from the comfort of your own home, take part in a community art project and a cartoon workshop.
"Go on a walk to the bank in Whitchurch where Caldecott worked for six months, with no effort on your part and in the company of a story teller with your map in hand."
Lezley Picton, portfolio holder for Culture and Leisure at Shropshire Council, added: “This funding is vital to the arts sector in Shropshire during this challenging time.
"The inspiring programmes on offer will keep our communities engaged in arts activity over the coming months and help build up new audiences for the future, which is fantastic."
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