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Announcing our Wheely impressive winner

Drake Circus has marked Armed Forces Week in Plymouth with a vibrant celebration of colour, creativity and community spirit – featuring striking artwork by local military children, stirring choral performances, and heartfelt messages of thanks shared by the local community.

Over 380 children from military families across Plymouth and surrounding areas took part in a unique Armed Forces Week art project through 14 local schools’ MKC Heroes and Future Fit Junior Field Gun clubs. Using real Junior Field Gun wheels as their canvas, they transformed them into vibrant works of art now on display at on Level 1 of Drake Circus – capturing the resilience, pride, and perspective of forces life through the eyes of Plymouth’s youngest military voices.

The winners of the children’s art competition, Ermington Primary School, were announced in a special prizegiving ceremony at Drake Circus on Thursday 26 June, with children and staff coming together to celebrate, and officially open the artwork display – which will brighten the first floor of the shopping centre for visitors through the summer.

Commenting on the winning wheel created by Ermington Primary School, Greg Lumley, Centre Director at Drake Circus said: “Their wheel really captured the theme of ‘Life in a Forces Family’. The design was split into six clear sections, each showing a different aspect of life in a military family. It was creative, personal, and full of thoughtful detail. We especially loved the family imagery and heartfelt messages, as well as the lovely nods to the local community.”

To mark the charity collaboration and contribute to the important work MKC Heroes and Future Fit Junior Field Gun does with military families and the wider community, Drake Circus presented the charities with a donation of £750.

Last updated Friday 27 June, 2025