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A giant collage is brightening up the construction hoardings around Bath Abbey proving they do not need to be bland. School children have teamed up with the abbey and local charity 5x5x5=creativity to produce the unmissable artwork that will greet passers-by while building and restoration work is carried out as part of the Abbey’s Footprint project. The hoardings inside the abbey will be adorned with a handstitched altar frontal by Stitch Friday, a needlework group from St John’s Foundation, and designs by pupils from Three Ways School in Bath. Rather than leave the hoardings bare while essential repair works to the collapsing floor are carried out, staff decided to invite children and the community group to spruce them up. Ollie Taylor, head of interpretation, learning and engagement at Bath Abbey, who worked with the schools and St John’s Foundation on the artwork, said: “We’re so grateful to the St John’s stitching group, the artist, Stephen Magrath, and the pupils and staff from the various schools for their hard work and creativity. They really understood what the Abbey represents, and we hope people enjoy the wonderful artwork they’ve produced.” The artwork displayed on the hoardings inside the Abbey, closing off the east end, is inspired by the service of Holy Communion. Jill Perry, leader of the Stitch Friday group said they were delighted to be involved: “I’m so proud of our combined efforts, both the students and my fellow stitchers have really worked hard on our different pieces to create something that’s bright, colourful and eye-catching but is also meaningful, and we can’t wait to see it all come together.” Also inspired by the Abbey’s role as a church in the centre of Bath, the artwork outside the Abbey is shaped like its stained glass windows and is made up of many individual drawings representing the Abbey’s core values of worship, hospitality, and justice. These collages are the combined talents of pupils from the Year 5-6 year group from St Andrew’s Church School (Bath), a Year 9 class from Ralph Allen School (Bath) and the Reception class at St Vigor and St John Church School (Chilcompton). Charlotte Buckley, a teacher at St Andrew’s Church School, said: “The children have really enjoyed working on this wonderful project. Some of our pupils were already familiar with the Abbey having either visited it with the school or their family. “Through this project they have all learnt more about this beautiful and historic church and the various roles it plays within the city. “Above all, the class is proud to see their pictures on display right in the centre of Bath.” In addition to the children’s artwork, the outside hoardings will be decorated with information and graphics about the Footprint project featuring a series of characters based on real life residents who are commemorated in the Abbey, from Mr Chilton, a local plumber, to Sarah Fielding, who wrote the first full-length novel for children.