24 May Essex schoolchildren help launch Jubilee Bus
Royal artists from schools in Colchester have seen their works of art turned into the design of a stunning new Jubilee Bus.
Launched by First Essex, the Jubilee Bus is set to roll out onto the Essex roads as part of the celebrations to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee as Her Majesty reaches the incredible milestone of 70 years as monarch.
To find inspiration for this historic Jubilee Bus, First Essex engaged with the next generation of bus passengers by delivering a virtual art workshop in local schools led by professional community artist Jenny Leonard. Jenny helped hundreds of schoolchildren through a step-by-step process of creating a portrait image and more than 200 of these pieces of art will now take pride of place on the Jubilee Bus.
Pupils will also be given the first chance to see and board the Jubilee Bus over May 25 and 26, as the bus visits participating schools including Boxted St Peter’s CEVC Primary School, Kings Ford Infant School and Nursery in Colchester and St Michael’s Primary School and Nursery.
During the Jubilee Bus visit to Montgomery Infant School in Colchester, there will also be a Facebook Live stream from the bus at 1.30pm on May 26, which you’ll be able to view from the First Essex Facebook page.
As well as looking out for their artwork of The Queen featured on the Jubilee Bus, all of the schoolchildren will also have the chance to learn more about our Queen as historic re-enactor Jim Williams shares fascinating stories from key moments in history during the last seven decades of The Queen’s reign.
The Jubilee Bus will join the First Essex fleet from the beginning of June, serving communities across the county while also seeing these beautiful images of The Queen brought to life and enjoyed across Essex.
Garry Nicholass, Commercial Director at First Essex Buses Ltd, commented: “It is such an honour to play our part in celebrating the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee by launching the Jubilee Bus. First Essex delivers key services to many communities across Essex and supporting these communities is vitally important to us.
“The artwork produced by Essex schoolchildren was of such a high standard and has created a wonderful design for the Jubilee Bus. These children are the future generation of bus passengers in a time when we all need to consider the most environmentally friendly ways to travel. The Jubilee Bus is a great example of how First Essex serves the communities across the county.”
