Flight-themed workshops at Shrewsbury’s Pride Hill Shopping Centre are sure to see a host of creative dreams take off this half term.

The free arts and crafts sessions will be the perfect launch pad for budding high fliers as participants get a chance to join in kite-making sessions, paper aeroplane design and even build their own windmill.

People of all ages are encouraged to wing their way over to the lower level of the Pride Hill Centre for the workshops, held over two days during school half term week – on Wednesday and Thursday, May 28 and 29, from 11am-4pm. The fun sessions are aimed at all skill levels and will be led by professional artist Chris Wright.

“It doesn’t matter whether you are at primary school, a full time artist, a student or just like to play around with paper and paint, everyone will have a chance to produce something on the theme of flight,” said dad of two Chris.

Paints, brushes and all equipment needed to decorate a kite in a rainbow of colours will be provided, in readiness to send the finished flying machine skywards into the spring sunshine.

Those who prefer to keep their feet firmly on the ground can simply give their imaginations free rein by drawing a flight-related picture, such as a dragonfly or a damsel fly.

Chris, who lives with wife, Sarah, and their young family in Shrewsbury town centre, has held previous crafts workshops at the Pride Hill Centre and all received positive feedback.

“I try to make them fun as well as inspirational. Art is something everyone can join in, no matter what age they are or how much experience they have.

“I studied art at Telford College, then gained a BA in sculpture at Newcastle university, but to be honest, I learn as much from these workshops as the participants do, particularly the children,” said Chris, 37.

“I love working with kids, they are such an inspiration, always coming up with fresh, original ideas on how to paint or make things. Children see everything with such open minds. Sometimes they come up with completely genius ideas out of the blue, usually when I’ve been struggling for ages trying to visualise a certain project!”

Kevin Lockwood, Manager of the Darwin, Pride Hill and Riverside Shopping Centres, said: “We do like to get everyone involved during half-term and provide something for families.

“Chris did a great job with his free workshops here in February and we want to make a trip to the shopping centres a fun experience for everyone.”

After several years at the helm of Shomi Gallery, where he also ran workshops, Chris took the decision to close it so he could spend more time at home with his daughters, Ember, four, and Tattum, seven.

“I now work from home, people can book me to run workshops or for art commissions, but at the same time I have the pleasure of spending precious time with Ember and Tattum, as they are growing up. They even help me with ideas for my workshop activities,” added Chris whose nephew, James Stevens, 19, also helps out.

In addition Chris promotes work by other local artists through shows and exhibitions in and around Shrewsbury.

He said: “Being able to run a workshop at a place like the Pride Hill Shopping Centre is great for me, because it opens up the art and crafts world to so many different kinds of people.

“Families can pop in while they are on a shopping trip and end up spending an hour or more with us, often using skills they never previously knew they had. Then they go home with an extra surprise in their shopping bags – in the shape of a completely original artwork they have created themselves!”

Residents at a Tamworth nursing home helped stage their own Mad Hatter’s tea party, thanks to staff from Ankerside Shopping Centre and a local entertainments company.

Alice in Wonderland, the Queen of Hearts, the White Rabbit and the Mad Hatter all made an appearance at Sunningdale Nursing Home in Upper Gungate, Tamworth, to help residents decorate cup cakes.

The session followed family fun events at the busy Tamworth shopping mall during the Easter school holidays, which had been laid on for youngsters, explained Jeff Wigley, deputy manager of Ankerside Shopping Centre.

“Wendy Norman, who organises events at the nursing home realised it would be suitable for the residents, and so asked if Flamingo Entertainments, which facilitates the fun sessions, could come along.

“We were happy to bring a bit of spring time fun to the residents – they certainly had a great time decorating the cakes,” said Jeff, who donned a pair of fun rabbit ears for the event, along with centre administrator Lucy Harvey.

The event was one of  a regular series of activities at the nursing home, part of the Staffordshire Care Limited group, which cares for more than 30 elderly and frail older people, said Wendy Norman.

“Everybody had a great time, they really enjoyed decorating the cakes and chatting away to Lucy and Jeff plus the team from Flamingo Entertainments. It makes a lovely change for our residents to meet new people.

“We like to ensure there’s always something for them to do, such as crafts,  rather than just sit around and watch TV. It certainly helps our residents to keep bright and alert and makes life more interesting for them.”

Jo Ewart at Flamingo Entertainments said: “Wendy approached my partner Sean when we were running the craft sessions and Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at Ankerside Shopping Centre just after Easter. She thought it would be a perfect activity for Sunningdale  residents and we were happy to help.

“It was lovely to meet the ladies and gents, who certainly had a great time decorating the cup cakes with sweets and icing. For many of the ladies, it took them back to doing it with their own children, and even doing with their own mums when they were a child.

“They came up with some culinary masterpieces – and then enjoyed eating them afterwards. I’m looking forward to going back soon,” added Jo.

Ankerside Shopping Centre, open daily,  is home to 60 stores, from fashion, health and beauty to services and food and drink, and has more than 700 parking spaces. More details at www.ankerside.co.uk