PR06.012
26th July 2006

Malthouse Project captures the imagination of school children

Tomorrow sees the culmination of many months of after school work for pupils of Westley Middle School in Bury St Edmunds who have been working on artwork for St Matthew Housing's Malthouse Project. Their will be exhibited on the outside of the Malthouse building this Thursday.

The Pupils' efforts, marshalled by lead art teacher Mrs Jill Anderson, will portray the activities of the malthouse in its operational days, showing the characters in their period clothes, and the tasks that they would have performed, using their knowledge of the malting process. The art boards will be hung on the exterior fence of the project site for public viewing.

Allan Scott-Davies, Heritage Project Manager for St Matthew Housing said “Both children and teachers have put their heart and soul in to the project. They have brought enthusiasm, skill and a unique historic angle to the paintings. Their paintings have magnificently captured the life and times of the Malthouse in years past.”

The unveiling of the children's work will take place at the Malthouse Project tomorrow [Thursday 27 th July] at 1pm.

The Malthouse Project, based at Elsey's Yard on Risbygate Street is focused on the complete transformation of a Grade II listed derelict former maltings. Upon completion this innovative development will provide accommodation and training facilities for homeless and disadvantaged people. It will also create a café, conference room and heritage centre for the public to utilise. The Malthouse Project, as evidenced through the school children's involvement, has captured the imagination of Bury St Edmunds.

St Matthew Housing (SMH) provides housing and support for the homeless or unsuitably housed across East Anglia and the East Midlands . The charity works in a way that enables people to achieve their individual goals, at their own pace and in their own communities.

NOTES TO EDITORS

You are invited to send a reporter/photographer to this event. The unveiling of the artwork will take place at 1pm tomorrow (Thursday 27 th July). Please ring Richard Robinson , Funding and Marketing Manager on 01284 732555 for any additional details.

About SMH and The Malthouse Project:

St Matthew Housing (SMH) provides housing and support for the homeless or unsuitably housed across East Anglia and the East Midlands . The charity works in a way that enables people to achieve their individual goals, at their own pace and in their own communities.

St Matthew Housing is restoring one of Bury's last remaining undeveloped 17 th Century buildings. The Malthouse in Elsey's Yard, just off Risbygate Street, will become an important landmark for the organisation and the town, providing Bury St Edmunds with an important training and support facility for local people in need.

St Matthew Housing residents and service users will work and train in a café, which will be open to the public to enjoy. The project also includes a Heritage Centre which will become a valuable addition to the Town Heritage Trail.