THERE?S a great new place to relax, take the weight of your feet and make friends at the same time if you are a pupil at Okehampton Primary School. A newly created ?friendship bench? is proving very popular in the playground ? and not only is it the ideal spot for youngsters to meet a new playmate but also provides a colourful addition of practical art to the school. The friendship bench was made by Kingsbridge mosaic artist Michelle McQuinn as part of the Big Hands/Little Hands scheme. Children from year 4 designed the bench themselves, which is engraved with slogans such as ?Make Friends?, ?Play Together? and ?Help Others?, as well as heart shapes, friendship bands and links with the rural community. Incorporated in the mosaic are bits of tiles, plates and materials donated by the children. The bench, which cost around £1,000, was funded by the Devon Guild of Craftmen at Bovey Tracey with a major contribution from the school?s Parent Teacher Friends? Association. Teacher Margaret Southcott is delighted the school?s latest acquisition, which is its third practical artwork in the Big Hands/Little Hands scheme ? following totem poles at the entrance and a stained glass window. Mrs Southcott is delighted with the work, which the children love, and she has already seen the positive effects of the friendship bench. She said: ?The idea is that if a child sits on the bench, or feels on their own, it means that they would like someone to come over and be their friend. ?I sat down there the other day and one of the children asked me if I would to be friend!?
