Political View: Young artists inspire our community as we celebrate nature and inclusion

One of the greatest privileges of serving as a local councillor is creating opportunities that help young people grow in confidence, discover their talents and feel proud of their achievements, writes Cllr Ivelina Banyalieva, Conservative Councillor Paston & Walton Ward.

 That is why my fellow ward councillor, Alex Rafiq, and I launched the "I Love Nature" painting competition for children across Paston and Walton,

We are delighted to be working with three wonderful local schools – Discovery Primary Academy, Paston Ridings Primary School and Caverstede Nursery School. Together, these schools play a vital role in shaping the next generation, and we wanted to create a project that celebrates the creativity, imagination and potential of their pupils. 

The competition encourages children to explore their relationship with the natural world through art. Whether inspired by wildlife, flowers, parks, trees or the changing seasons, the children have embraced the challenge with enthusiasm and imagination. The quality of the artwork submitted has been truly impressive and serves as a reminder of the remarkable talent that exists within our community.

For Alex and me, this competition is about far more than selecting winners. It is about encouraging creativity, building confidence and ensuring that every child feels their contribution matters. In an increasingly digital world, giving young people the opportunity to express themselves through art remains as important as ever.

Inclusion has also been at the heart of this initiative. We believe every child deserves the opportunity to participate and be recognised. Alongside the main awards, special recognition will be given to children with disabilities and additional needs, ensuring that the competition reflects the diversity and strength of our community.

There will be 20 winners from each participating school, together with five additional winners from each school for children with disabilities. Every child who enters will receive a small gift in recognition of their effort and participation. The winners will be announced on 9 July, and we are looking forward to celebrating their achievements.

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to the teachers, school staff, parents and guardians who have supported this project from the outset. Their encouragement has helped make the competition a success and demonstrated what can be achieved when schools, families and the wider community work together.

This competition also marks the beginning of something bigger.

Over recent months, Alex and I have been exploring new ways to create opportunities for children and families across our ward. As part of this work, we are currently planning a major community event at Itter Park at the end of August, with a particular focus on children with disabilities and additional needs.

While details will be announced in the coming weeks, our ambition is clear: to create a memorable day where every child feels welcome, included and celebrated. We want to bring together families, community groups and local organisations to demonstrate that inclusion is not simply an aspiration but something that can be actively achieved.

The future of any community depends on how well it supports its youngest residents. By investing in our children today, we invest in a stronger, kinder and more connected tomorrow. Through initiatives such as this, Alex and I remain committed to ensuring that every child in Paston and Walton has the opportunity to thrive.