Theale Green School art student wins design competition and gets work put up in Theale Community Fire Station lobby

A Year 8 student from a Theale school had his artwork installed in the lobby of a fire station after he won the school’s design competition.

Theale Green School pupil Evan Rose visited Theale Community Fire Station on Monday, May 23, to see his work in place and he was congratulated by various members of the fire service.

The competition was run with art students from Year 8 and Year 11, and more than 40 artworks were submitted by students across both year groups.

A panel comprised of representatives from the fire station and the fire authority met in December to agree a winner.

Vice chairman of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority councillor Pauline Helliar-Symons said: “We were delighted with the contributions of the students at Theale Green School as part of this competition, which made the judging process very difficult, with very fierce competition.

“Overall, we felt that Evan’s artwork was a fantastic representation of emergency services partners working together from Theale Community Fire Station. It is very eye catching and creates a warm welcome to visitors at the station.”

Evan’s striking design is an abstract representation of emergency services, with triangles used to symbolise the station as a tri-service community fire station and the main colours of red, green, yellow and blue representing fire, ambulance and police partners.

Evan said of his winning design: “I was amazed how a small piece of paper had come to life on a wall.

"I was proud that something I had created would be seen by so many people and it might brighten up their day.”

He worked with professional designers from Apple Print and Creative, based in Newbury, who donated their services to help produce Evan’s artwork digitally and bring it to life at the new station.

Theale Green School deputy headteacher Charlotte Badarello said: “The competition was an amazing opportunity to forge links with the fire station and we are very grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with our local community.

“As a school we are very proud of Evan’s amazingly powerful mural, and Mr Wilson, our head of art, has worked closely with all students who were involved in the competition to get produce some fantastic pieces.”

Chief fire officer Wayne Bowcock said: “Evan’s great artwork really brings to life the importance and contribution of local young people and schools in this community fire station.

“The artwork is in a prominent location for all visitors using the community room at the station and will be on show for the official opening of Theale Community Fire Station, which is being planned later this year.”

Plans for the fire station were approved in December 2019 and construction began in January 2020.

Theale Community Fire Station has been operational since September of last year, and Theale residents can book the station's community room to use now.

The station is planning to have its official public opening this autumn.