Hands across Hucknall

People in Hucknall gave themselves a big hand after a community arts project returned to showcase over 1,000 of their contributions.
Hands across Hucknall project at Costa Coffee in HucknallHands across Hucknall project at Costa Coffee in Hucknall
Hands across Hucknall project at Costa Coffee in Hucknall

The Hands across Hucknall initiative, which aims to bring people of all ages and backgrounds together, is now in its second year at Costa Coffee on the High Street.

Last December the scheme encouraged people to draw around their hands then cut out and decorate the paper outlines before posting them on seven ft tall display boards in the coffee shop. Around 700 hands were posted in total.

Costa manager Rachel Liffen said: “Hands across Hucknall has smashed its record this year. Thank you once again good people of Hucknall - you’ve done us proud!

School children contributed outlines of their hands for an art project at Costa Coffee in HucknallSchool children contributed outlines of their hands for an art project at Costa Coffee in Hucknall
School children contributed outlines of their hands for an art project at Costa Coffee in Hucknall

“With support and contributions from local schools, churches and customers, we are proud to have on display well over one thousand hands!”

Contributions flooded in from Kings Family Church, as well as Leen Mills, Butler’s Hill and Hillside primary schools.

Rachel visited the schools to let the children know about the company’s charity, the Costa foundation, which builds schools in the coffee growing communities where their coffee beans are grown.

They were also told about the principles behind fair trade and the Rainforest Alliance

At Leen Mills the youngsters enjoyed an interactive tour which shows how the coffee bean gets from where it was grown into a cup of coffee.

Rachel said: “The questions these children asked were amazing I really had to put my thinking cap on with some of them.

“They were genuinely engaged with the topic and it was lovely to see and be a part of it.”

She added: “To say thank you, 25 children were invited from Hillside and 16 children from Leen Mills to come in and have a hot chocolate and a chance to present their hands.”

Leen Mills pupils also made a story board of their day for Rachel to put up in store.

Ten prizes were awarded for the best hands and the exhibition was displayed until December 19.

Rachel added: “I think this proves Hucknall’s fantastic community spirit. We have really enjoyed this year’s Hands across Hucknall - thank you to all that were a part of it.”

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