Sprites ensure spring has sprung in Ellesmere this weekend

Ellesmere’s popular Cremorne Gardens has been invaded over the Bank Holiday weekend by over 50 sprites and a towering goddess, to celebrate the arrival of spring.

BORDER COPYRIGHT SHROPSHIRE STAR STEVE LEATH 01/05/2021..Pic in Ellesmere where in the park, local arts group: Fizzgig, had an event with Sprite characters and music. Competition winners who came up with a name for a Sprite. L-R: Joshua Humphreys 6 called his: Jebbadiah, and Evie-Rose Rodenhurst 8 called hers Rainbow Rosie. Numbers below..

The magical scene, called The Sprites of Spring, was created by Fizzgigs, Ellesmere’s community arts group. The central twelve-foot figure was based on a famous painting of the goddess of spring and was clothed in purple and green robes with a flowing headdress. The sprites were made by members of the arts group and the community.

Fizzgigs chairman Ian Andrew said: “The restrictions mean that we can’t organise our usual events at the moment but we wanted to do something to celebrate May Day.

The massive figure of Primavera played a central role

“The figure of Primavera is based on the angel that was outside St Mary’s Church at Christmas. We wanted to surround her with a gathering of fun-loving sprites, some of them dancing around a maypole, others playing musical instruments and some just getting up to mischief.”

The installation was formally declared open at 2pm on Saturday when Fizzgigs’ artistic director, Tony Lewery, welcomed the first visitors, and two young people were presented with prizes for winning a competition to name two of the sprites.

Tony Lewery of Fizzgigs with one of the cheerful sprites

Joshua Humphreys, aged six from Tetchill, won the prize in the four to seven age group with the name Jebbadiah.

"I knew the name of the lady who is famous for doing something special, Eglamine [sic] Jebb. So I added on to her name," he explained. He also revealed that Jebbadiah likes to fly over the Mere at night!

Mary Lewery, who came up with the idea for the sprites, said: "How appropriate that he should choose that name, especially as the installation at the Bandstand is so close to the artworks installed last year to celebrate the founding of Save the Children Fund by Ellesmere sisters Eglantyne Jebb and Dorothy Buxton."

Cheeky sprites of all kinds populate the gardens BORDER COPYRIGHT SHROPSHIRE STAR STEVE LEATH 01/05/2021..Pic in Ellesmere where in the park, local arts group: Fizzgig, had an event with Sprite characters and music. Competition winners who came up with a name for a Sprite..

Evie-Rose Rodenhurst, aged eight and from Oswestry, won the prize in the eight to 10 age group with the name Rosie Rainbow. She said: "The stripes in her dress are like some of the colours of the rainbow. And I like the alliteration."

Rosie Rainbow is playing a clarinet and Evie-Rose was delighted to learn that its maker – Anna Hayes – would be playing her own clarinet for real after the prize giving.

The installation was in place from 2pm-5pm on Saturday and is available 10am-5pm Sunday and Monday, with live music from 2pm on each of the three days.