COLOURFUL painted pebbles are still bringing a smile to people in Greenfield nearly 18 months after a local artist first started her initiative.
When the country went into lockdown last March, Rachel Fish, who lives in the village, decided to hand paint stones of all shapes and sizes with bright colours and cheerful messages such as ‘bee happy’ and ‘smile’.
She scattered them around the village on her walks for people to find and take home – and now Covid-19 restrictions are easing, she is continuing her project to keep bringing joy.
“I still paint about 25 stones each night at home and then leave them around the village on my walks,” said Rachel.
“I see people pick them up and smile. I love being able to do such a small thing to make them happy.”
Rachel has also painted themed rocks for different occasions, including Remembrance Day and Christmas, and has raised money by people leaving donations in exchange.
I’m visiting from Newport, South Wales, where we have a “Pebble Art” community that does the same as Rachel. Pebbles are hidden in parks and footpaths for people to find and hide elsewhere. I’ve found two of Rachel’s “Bee Lucky” pebbles that I will take home with me to hide.
Thank you Rachel for making me smile 💙
There is a facebook group in Chadderton called Chaddy Rocks and children and grown ups paint and hide rocks. It really is a lovely thing to do and brings lots of smiles to the finders of the rocks.