PUPILS from Stratton School in Cirencester will be busy decorating a special hare over the next few weeks, which has been sponsored by Stratton Post Office and Abbey Way Services, as part of the town’s Hare Festival.

Led by local mosaic artist Jo Moreman, who has studios at Cirencester’s New Brewery Arts, pupils from every year group at Stratton School have already been hard at work pulling their creative thoughts together ahead of the actual effort that will go into applying the mosaic itself.

Jo explains: “The pupils have done some lovely drawings of things that remind them of Stratton. I think this will be the first hare to truly tell a story of the local community.”

Stratton church, post office, play group, horticultural society and the petrol station are all likely to feature on the finished hare mosaic.

So far the hare has green mosaic legs, which represent Stratton Meadows, and the school’s Reception class have designed fish to ‘swim’ along an illustration of the River Churn which will meander from the base of the hare up around its belly. The head of the hare will feature bunting and blue sky.

Kim Lafford-Taylor, manageress of Stratton Post Office and Stores, said: “The children’s designs are really lovely and I can’t wait to see the hare when it’s finished.”

Mike Hughes, head of Stratton School, said: “It is super that the children have the chance to take part in this Cirencester team project and also come to see all the elements that make Stratton a very special community. Thank you to Abbey Road Garage and Stratton Stores for giving us the opportunity.”

When complete the Stratton hare will sit proudly outside Stratton Post Office and Stores, visible to everyone who walks or drives along the Cheltenham Road throughout the summer months.

Festival organiser, Florence Beetlestone said: “The March Hare Festival is about the youth of today and it is great to have another local school involved. We now have over forty hares for families to go and find.”