AN end-of-term Easter celebration at Hindhead’s Amesbury School saw a decorative new addition take centre stage.

As pre-nursery, nursery and reception pupils enjoyed an Easter egg hunt in the Early Years Garden, the visual art department unveiled the school’s very own ‘Haslemere Hare’, one of a limited edition of 75 fibreglass models that have been snapped up by eager sponsors of the town’s fundraising project in aid of good causes.

Members of the jewellery-making and fashion and textiles clubs pitched in to create ‘Arty the Amesburian’, to celebrate the school’s centenary year..

Using a combination of drawing, painting, collage and hand stitching, Arty tells the story of Amesbury’s move to Hindhead in 1917 – and how the school developed over the years.

Tracing its evolution from the traditional to the contemporary, Amesbury’s history is illustrated through images of some of the school’s best loved buildings, from its Edwin Lutyens-designed chapel, to the most recent addition to the estate, the Thomas Visual Art Centre.

School spokesman Natalie Holmes said “A big thank-you to art teacher Kerry Tristram who co-ordinated the design and production of Arty, who pays beautiful homage to everything Amesbury,” .

“Early years children had a great time on their Easter Egg Hunt. They each had to find an Easter chick, a carrot and a flower hidden in the garden and then they received their Easter egg.

“It was quite a blustery day but they all went home very happy.”

Haslemere Hares is the successor to the town’s Hogs community arts project, which raised £35,000 for good causes last year.

The finished artworks will go on display together later this year, followed by a ‘March of the Hares’ auction of any models not purchased by their sponsors.

The proceeds will go to the mayor’s nominated charities and other good causes in the town.

The community arts project is masterminded by former town mayor Brian Howard, who founded the Hogs event last year.

The Lord Lieutenant of Surrey Michael More-Molyneux joined current mayor Malcolm Carter, and sponsors, at a reception at Lythe Hill Hotel, last Monday, as reported in The Herald.

Guests heard the project had got off to such a good start, all the models now had sponsors and decorating was well under way.