New artwork has been installed in the lobby area of Theale Community Fire Station, following a competition run with art students in Year 8 and Year 11 at Theale Green School.
Students were set the challenge to design a graphic which could be applied to the wall of the lobby area of the building. Over 40 pieces of artwork were submitted by students across both year groups. The quality of all the artwork was very high, meaning that selecting the winner was a very difficult decision to make.
A panel comprised of representatives from the fire station and the Fire Authority met in December to agree a winner.
The artwork installed was created by Evan Rose, in the Year 8 group. Evan created a striking design, which included a representation of emergency services, through the colours and shapes used. Triangles were used to represent the station as a tri-service community fire station and the main colours used represent fire, ambulance and police partners. Evan worked with professional designers from Apple Print and Creative based in Newbury, who donated their services to help produce Evan’s artwork digitally bringing the artwork to life at the new station.
On Monday, 23 May, Evan visited Theale Community Fire Station to see his artwork and was congratulated on his achievement by Wayne Bowcock, Chief Fire Officer of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service and Councillor Pauline Helliar-Symons, Vice Chairman of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority.
Wayne Bowcock, Chief Fire Officer, Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “Part of the vision of Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service is to ensure that fire stations are at the heart of our communities and this fantastic new tri-service facility gave us a clear opportunity to hold a competition to uphold our commitment. 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.”
Theale Community Fire Station is the latest in a series of investments by the Fire Authority, following the refurbishment of Hungerford Community Fire Station and the rebuild of Crowthorne Community Fire Station.
Councillor Pauline Helliar-Symons, Vice Chairman of Royal Berkshire Fire Authority, 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 Rose with his installed artwork at Theale Community Fire Station
Theale Community Fire Station provides a shared location for Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS), Thames Valley Police (TVP) and South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS). The new station is a significant step forward in meeting the Royal Berkshire Fire Authority’s plan to modernise the fire and rescue service’s buildings to ensure a suitable, community-based fire stations is provided to residents across the County of Royal Berkshire.