TO commemorate the coronation of King Charles III, Freemasons throughout Thurrock came together with local Arts and Crafts Charity 'Get Started Art', to work with the community and create an event that would also live long in the memory.

A 'King and the Craft' competition was devised for children across the borough to design and create a royal crown in honour of the King.

Freemasons from the Cross Keys Masonic Centre in Chadwell St Mary and Orsett Masonic Centre in Orsett Village, collaborated with 'Get Started Art' to acquire well over 100 Arts and Crafts set to be distributed to winners and runners of 11 local Primary schools and five community groups.

In total more than 6,500 Children from schools and groups across Thurrock, Brentwood and Southend were given the opportunity to win a prize.

Over 4,500 Crown Templates (individual to the school/group) were printed for the younger children to cut and colour, and every single school and group was visited in person by local Freemasons.

The reception received from the Thurrock community was nothing short of extraordinary.

All involved with the incentive, were invited to judge crowns at School Assemblies and Parties throughout April and May. Over 650 Pupils from Stifford Clays School alone wore their bright and colourful crowns, and danced and conga'd throughout the school grounds in a cacophony of fun and excitement and covered in cake!

Such was the success of the competition, that word soon spread, and Get Started Art was asked to attend a Kings Coronation Celebration held at Grays Town park on Bank Holiday Monday 8th May, to create even more crowns with the partying children and families of the area, with even more prizes supplied by the local Masonic Centres.

Crowns have been cut and coloured, designed and made and all manner of materials glued incl, glitter, pom poms, sequins, googly eyes, tissue paper, wrapping paper, bubble wrap, pipe cleaners lollipop sticks, gems, stickers and even duct tape and chocolate!

Thousands of crowns have been judged, more than 100 happy children were delighted to be awarded prizes, and certificates were sent to all the schools involved for distribution to each and every child that took part.

Christina Pumfrey - Executive Head Teacher, South West Essex Community Education Trust commented "Thank YOU so much for including us in this lovely event."

Ian Broyd – Headteacher, Little Thurrock Primary School also added "Thank you very much for organising this competition and for allowing us to be part of it".