A FESTIVAL curated by Winsford teenagers to celebrate the town will begin this weekend.

The Festival of Hope has been created by a group of 14- and 15-year-olds called the Winsford Young Producers.

It will celebrate creativity, heritage and hope in the town, with young people at the heart of the whole festival.

Cllr Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “This is a group of young people that had originally planned a live event to happen in Winsford during the summer.

"However, the outbreak of Covid-19 forced the group to go back to the drawing board.

"Nothing in the world is the same as it was before the crisis and the Winsford Young Producers wanted to document this.

"Congratulations to the group, they have displayed inspirational resilience and dynamic problem solving to make sure the festival continues, as both hope and heritage are now more important than ever."

The Young Producers were resolute in their decision to bring something new and exciting to their hometown.

While the festival will showcase the voices of young people, it is also designed to offer hope and unite the entire community of Winsford.

The Young Producers are launching a series of digital and socially distanced installations on Saturday, August 29, including the following.

We Are Winsford, by Michael Cochran

This short film will explore Winsford’s heritage through the thing most important to Winsford, it’s community.

The film explores the different experiences of people in Winsford during lockdown and shows that they have more in common than thought.

Screened both online and in Cinewindow, located in Unit 1A of Winsford Cross.

Created in collaboration with The Winsford Young Producers and Michael Cochran.

Gallery of Winsford, by Lottie Smith

Created by a self-proclaimed master of cardboard, this piece is inspired by the vast number of artworks created in Winsford throughout lockdown, and the inordinate amount of cardboard from online deliveries.

This cardboard gallery will showcase works by local people and will also draw upon individuals’ personal inspirations from their time spent at home in Winsford.

This will ensure the cardboard gallery is an incredible sight to behold. The work is in Unit 1A of Winsford Cross.

Created in collaboration with The Winsford Young Producers and Lottie Smith.

A Place to Be Proud Of, Neil Keating

Produced by renowned Liverpool street artist Neil Keating, Neil will bring the signature style and colour of his artwork to Winsford.

Painted in the Winsford underpass, underneath the A54, this piece is inspired by the Young Producers sense of pride in their hometown and their desire to create a place people can be proud of.

This installation explores the town’s less discussed heritage and draws on the things that make us hopeful about the town’s present and future.

Created by Neil Keating in collaboration with Winsford Young Producers.

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All installations have been created to maintain social distancing, individuals viewing the installations are encouraged to follow the most recent Government advice and guidance.

For more information visit festivalofhope.co.uk or visit @cheshirefestivalofhope on Instagram.