Coronation crowns made from recycled materials by children and young teenagers have gone on display in Budleigh Salterton’s Fairlynch Museum.

A competition was held, challenging the young people to be as artistic and creative as they could with used paper, cardboard, foil and other ‘waste’ materials. The idea was to reflect King Charles’s commitment to the environment.

Exmouth Journal: Some of the prizewinners with their crownsSome of the prizewinners with their crowns (Image: Richard Allen.)

The winners and runners-up in three age categories – 5 to 8, 9 to 12 and 13 to 16 -received their prizes on Friday, April 28. They were invited to bring their crowns to the museum, and were presented with vouchers for £50 (winners) or £25 (runners-up) by Budleigh’s mayor Cllr Michael Hilliar.

Exmouth Journal: Crowns made by children aged 5 to 8Crowns made by children aged 5 to 8 (Image: Richard Allen.)

Budleigh Salterton Lions Club contributed towards the cost of the vouchers.

President Richard Allen said: “We were delighted to be asked to help with the judging of the Coronation Crown competition and make a donation towards the prize fund.

“It's always a pleasure to visit this beautiful museum by the sea. Environment is one of the Lions' five global causes and this competition has demonstrated how creative and artistic young people can be using only recycled materials. We were particularly impressed to see how the entrants had incorporated King Charles' passion for the environment in their designs. It was extremely difficult to choose the winners!"    

The crowns had to be stable enough to be worn and they had to be the child’s own work.

The winning crowns will be displayed in the museum until it closes for the winter at the end of October. Opening hours are 2pm until 4.30pm Tuesday to Sunday, and Bank Holiday Mondays.

Budleigh's coronation celebrations

Budleigh Salterton’s celebrations for the coronation of King Charles III include an afternoon tea party in the garden of Seachange on Saturday, May 6, from 2pm until 5pm. The following day there will be a big street party in the town centre, starting at 12.30pm. Residents will be dressing up, decorating their tables and bringing hampers of food and drink. There will be a DJ playing music, and a prize raffle. The event has been organised by Budleigh Information Centre.