Designing the Bilston Carnival Heritage Trophies was one of those rare commissions where heritage, celebration, and contemporary design came together seamlessly. Bilston’s identity is rich — metalworking, enamel artistry, civic pride, and a long tradition of craft — and the brief asked for trophies that honoured that history while feeling fresh, joyful, and unmistakably “Bilston Carnival.”

The relaunch of Bilston Outdoor Market marked an exciting new chapter for one of the town’s most historic community spaces. To celebrate the reopening, the City of Wolverhampton Council invited me, along with my brilliant creative workshop partner Vicky Crowther, to deliver a single, large‑scale family workshop that would create a collaborative artwork for future display at the market.

Bilston Carnival 2026 was one of those days where everything felt alive — colour, music, heritage, and community all woven together in Hickman Park. As part of the City Council’s events programme, I delivered three free family workshops alongside my long‑time creative workshop partner, Vicky Crowther.