Last years news but we loved taking part in this year's lantern parade alongside a 10ft + tall rendition-as-lantern of Queen Alexandra. She is the impressive woman for which the Alex pub was named and two impressive local female artists - Jenny Ball (Ditherella's workshop) and Gemma Whitford (Gem's Creative Place) - were her architects. They made plans, bigger plans and then crazy plans and then they made it happen. Pictures show some of the progress from weaving a head from willow (including some from the garden here), covered with tissue from the Rugby First lantern kit, painted (make up by Gemma), completed look with crown and 'hair up-do' by Jenny. A brave chap (photographer John Thompson) agreed to 'wear' Alex for the parade, his beard was just visible below her jeweled chest plate (made by Chris Pegler). Poppy (Gemma's youngest daughter) created some puff sleeves and 'Queen Alex' acquired some hefty shoulders. Chris Pegler wove the cloak and crocheted sleeves to cover up her pop bottle arms. Other artists loaned lights or made jewels, or guided John away from low hanging trees and shop signs. It was terrific fun and we definitely have plans for her to make further outings. She will be stored carefully.
Here are some pictures of the making of Queen Alex and her outing about town. Thank you to all who made a fuss of her. She is definitely an attention grabber. (Also a picture of the real Queen Alex - so you can see where we got her look from).
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| This is Alex undressed - first fitting with John! |
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| L:R: Elf, Jenny, Mayor of Rugby Simon Ward, Chris, Poppy, Alex, Steve, Father Christmas, Violet, Gemma. (From Rugby Observer). |