An exhibition showcasing artwork by local schoolchildren, inspired by a seaplane, will be held at Windermere Public Library on September 22nd and 23rd.

School children were invited to join an art contest in celebration of the Waterbird, a replica of the UK's first successful seaplane, which flew over Windermere in May.

The competition, titled 'Flying Yesterday and Tomorrow,' was organised by aviation author Anne Hughes, who is a trustee of the Lakes Flying Company (LFC), the charity responsible for the Waterbird project.

Over 100 entries were submitted by students from five local schools, and a representative from The Guild of Aviation Artists judged the final selection.

Certificates and art materials were awarded to all participating schools.

Alongside the children's artwork, Katie Hounsome's promotional artworks for the Waterbird events and Phil Hadley's representations of the original Waterbird, from the Guild of Aviation Artists, will also be on display.

Chairman of LFC trustees, Ian Gee, said: “We are keen to promote to young people the history and technology of Waterbird.

“Art is a good way of developing their interest and allow them to use their imagination to depict aviation of the past, present and future.”

The original Waterbird, which used a patented step float by Captain Edward Wakefield, achieved the first successful hydro-aeroplane flight in Britain, taking off from a hanger at Hill of Oaks, Windermere, on November 25, 1911.

The plane was unfortunately written off after a hangar collapse the following year.

The replica, constructed based on drawings discovered in 2008, was made using the same materials as the original and took 14 years to complete.

The project has received numerous national awards for its contribution to aviation heritage.

In addition to the art exhibition, the Lakes Flying Company plans to continue engaging with local schools through future art competitions, including a Christmas card contest later this year.

They also intend to host an Aviation Activities Day in Spring 2024 at the Marchesi Centre in Windermere.

Ian Gee and Anne Hughes also collaborated on a book titled 'Waterbird – Wings over Windermere', which tells the dual stories of the original plane's history and the construction and flight of the replica.