Angels over Wolverhampton

“Isn’t it quiet in here today?”

The teacher couldn’t help but notice the unusual angelic silence as she visited each class with the Revd Jeremy Oakley. And no wonder, because what were the pupils doing? They were engrossed in creating a marvellous array of arts, crafts and creative writing all about those mysterious beings, you guessed—angels. Children from the Woodfield and Uplands Junior Schools in Wolverhampton created the work and showed it off to their community at the Angel Adventure Day at St Phillips Church.

Jeremy Oakley, Vicar of Penn Fields, and his wife, Julie, wanted to provide pupils in Wolverhampton with some positive teaching about angels, so they came up with the idea of the Angel Adventure Day. Teachers at the Woodfield and Uplands Junior schools were thrilled with the idea.

Prior to the Angel Adventure Day, the Oakleys organised assemblies in the schools and gave the children a biblical perspective on angels. Teachers agreed that a full day dedicated to having the pupils produce arts and crafts about angels was a grand idea. Along with volunteers, they guided some 800 pupils in producing the work.

The extensive display was put on show and the community invited to a full day of activities. A senior lecturer from Wolverhampton University School of Art and Design judged the entries and local MP, Rob Marris, presented over 80 prizes for the best entries.

“I never knew you could do some many creative things with angels,” Rob said. “The day was thoroughly enjoyable for me as an adult and for the kids, who I am sure learned a lot.”

Visitors also had the opportunity to try out making a range of angel crafts, performing in a ‘sing like an X Factor angel’ event and participating in a drama workshop. Professional artist, Oliver Pengilley, was also at work and there were singing and dancing presentations from the children of both schools and a bunch of new games to participate in.

To help keep everyone happy, the day’s cuisine came with a whole host of snacks, drinks and light lunches, including Angel Cake and Angel Delight.

“This has been such a fun way of bringing the community together,” Jeremy Oakley said. “The quality of the children’s work was excellent and their creativity mind-blowing. At a time when much of the news has not been good, it was brilliant to be able to welcome everyone from our community to share some simple enjoyment.”