A COLOURFUL tribute to local community and hope has been created in a Scottish town centre, thanks to local pupils.
Youngsters from eight local schools in the area joined forces with Your Kirky – Kirkintilloch Community Council – to create a Rainbow of Hope in Kirkintilloch’s Regent Gardens.
The tribute – which will remain in place until next spring/summer – features small stones, with each one painted by budding artists from Holy Trinity, Lairdsland, Holy Family, Merkland, Hillhead, Oxgang, Gartconner and Harestanes schools.
Nigel Rooke, of Your Kirky, said: “The aim of the Rainbow is to create a positive message of hope and support for the wider community. We’ve been honoured to work with local schools to help bring a bit of extra brightness to the town as the days grow shorter and the nights longer.
“Each year group was allotted a different colour and their efforts have been incredible. I hope everyone who sees it can take a few moments to reflect on the Rainbow and its message. A total of 1750 children, eight schools, seven colours, one rainbow, one message – we’re all in this together.”
Pupils carefully collected suitable stones as part of a homework task, with paint supplied by Your Kirky. The stones were then gathered together and mounted on a large board, accompanied by messages of positivity.
The project has been supported by East Dunbartonshire Council with joint council leaders Andrew Polson and Vaughan Moody calling it an “inspirational sight for all” and a “magical piece of art” respectively.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here