A MOSAIC designed and made by a whole village has been unveiled.

Dozens of Hamsterley residents gathered in the village hall on Wednesday (December 10), for the grand presentation after two months working on the artwork.

The piece was part of a community project and funded by the late county councillor, Pauline Charlton, who championed the project through the Teesdale Area Action Partnership (TAP) at the beginning of the year.

Residents had previously been unsuccessful when they applied for community grant funding through TAP in 2013 but a £1,600 grant from Cllr Charlton, as well as a donation from the village’s drama group, the Hamsterley Players, allowed the project to go ahead.

And more than 40 members of the community along with children at Hamsterley Primary School worked with artist, Sue Warlock, on the piece which organisers say is now a “vibrant art work reflecting our village and surroundings for the enjoyment of all those who visit our Village Hall".

The colourful wall display shows every aspect of village life including the school, farmers’ fields and village pond and also includes a dedication to former villager, Captain Richard Holloway, who was killed while on a special operation in Afghanistan, last December.

His mother and Village Hall Committee member, Jaquie Holloway, originally had the idea for the mosaic after completing a similar project at St John's School and Sixth Form College, a Catholic Academy, in Bishop Auckland, where she is an arts co-ordinator.

Mrs Holloway, who attended the unveiling with her husband, Neil, said the project had been a huge success and was “thrilled” Capt Holloway was remembered in the mosaic.

“I went with some friends on a trip to the Holy Land and we admired many beautiful Roman mosaics so I came back and thought it would go down well with the village, it just seemed the right thing to do” she said.

“The Village Hall Committee was very keen on a community project which would bring together people of all ages and from different backgrounds, and on the creation of a lasting art work which would enhance a very large expanse of bare wall inside the village hall.”

She added: “It's very sad that Pauline died before completion but we acknowledge her in the plaque and the project certainly couldn't have run without her support.”

Cllr Charlton’s daughter, Susie Charlton, was VIP guest for the unveiling.

She said: “I was very pleased to come. I was looking at the plaque and I’m proud to see a memorial to her [Cllr Chartlon].”