A month-long art project for Year 6 children from Allenbourn Middle School in Wimborne culminated in an afternoon of activities at Walford Mill.

The pupils took part in the ‘Magnificent Mills’ activities created by arts company Emerald Ant, with partners Wimborne History Festival and Walford Mill Crafts.

At the final ‘garden party’ at Walford Mill in Wimborne their interactive works were put on display.

They included huge otherworldly ghosts suspended from trees; enormous, vibrant kingfishers perched in the branches; and a giant wheel where colourful willow and tissue paper figures were cranked around by children pushing a bicycle pedal.

Pippa Martin, subject lead for Art at Allenbourn, said: “It was a tremendous month-long project with a grand finale.

“Most of the art workshops were held at Walford Mill, with support from the Museum of East Dorset.

“Children learned new craft techniques such as making willow frameworks, sculpting with foam and designing large scale, colourful artworks with a Georgian flavour, to chime with this year’s Wimborne History Festival.

“After each workshop pupils came back to school full of enthusiasm, excitement and pride in their creative achievements.

“At the final garden party the students tried on and posed for photos in decorated handmade hats, bizarre Georgian-style wigs and bright butterfly outfits.

“They stuck their heads through hessian sculptures before performing alongside the musical ensemble Bash to the delight of an appreciative audience.

“The event was recorded on film which will be available to watch on the websites of Emerald Ant and Allenbourn Middle School in due course.

“We are hugely grateful to everyone who worked so hard to enable this project which will live long in the memories of all who took part.”

Funding was provided by the Arts Council and Dorset Council.

Cindy Pritchard, headteacher of Allenbourn, said: “It has been so brilliant for our pupils to be involved in this wonderfully creative and engaging project.

“They have enjoyed every minute of it and the final art work and music were a wonder to behold.”

Allenbourn Middle School is part of Wimborne Academy Trust (WAT), and its chief executive Liz West said: “This looked like an amazing day and really enjoyable project.”