Rugby's Got Balls wins Have a Field Day award

The Festival of Rugby was organised by the Rugby Football Union and England Rugby 2015 to celebrate the Rugby World Cup, and the Have a Field Day award honours community events staged in parks during the festival.

Caldecott Park's event was a collaboration with arts collective Kookooshaboo, who 'yarn bombed' the park as part of the Rugby's Got Balls project, which they ran with Rugby Borough Council's arts development team.

Kookooshaboo joined forces with a host of community organisations to cover their giant rugby ball sculpture, trees and benches with specially knitted and crocheted pieces of yarn.

Cllr Lisa Parker, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for the environment, said: "Winning the best Have a Field Day award rounds off a tremendous year for Rugby and for Caldecott Park, and is a real tribute to the hard work and dedication of the artists, volunteers and staff who put so much into the Enjoy Rugby Festival and the Festival of Rugby."

Cllr Heather Timms, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for culture, said: "Kookooshaboo worked with hundreds of residents on this project, creating unique pieces of public art which celebrate the town's status as the Proud Home of the game.

"The sculptures quickly became a popular photo opportunity for visitors and residents, and it is fitting that this innovative project won this award."

The national Fields in Trust charity works to safeguard parks and green spaces for sport, recreation and play. The Fields in Trust Awards took place earlier this week (Wednesday 2 December) at Lord's Cricket Ground in London.

For more on arts development opportunities see www.ragm.co.uk.