ARTY youngsters were able to try their hand at a wide range of activities when Devizes Lions decided to branch out from sports coaching and take on crafts.

Children from primary schools throughout the town and surrounding villages were invited to take part in the half-term workshops for everything from dance to knitting held at venues across the town.

Lion Tony Scorer said: “The idea of the arts coaching day came from the long running Devizes Lions’ Sports Coaching weekend which has been going for over thirty years.

“The Club was keen to broaden the scope of activities available for children and so it decided to arrange workshops for musical theatre,drama, Samba, contemporary dance, street dance, cheer-leading, circus hoops, knitting, crochet, felt-making, clay tiles and metal embossing.

“Half-term was chosen for the event so that the children would be something exciting to look forward to in the holidays.”

Lions Club members visited schools to spread the work among children in years four, five and six and were delighted when 244 children signed up.

The classes were held in the upstairs gallery at Devizes Books, Devizes Museum, the scout hut in Southbroom Road, St Andrew’s church hall and Easterton village hall.

Devizes Mayor Judy Rose, who is a keen knitter, was delighted to pop in to the knitting workshop at Devizes Books.

Mr Scorer said: “We are very appreciative of those who made the venues available and the skills provided by the coaches and aim to run the event again next year.”