A SWIRLING mosaic created in part by care home residents and school pupils has been unveiled.

The community artwork at Iffley Residential and Nursing Home in Anne Greenwood Close is the culmination of six months’ work by artist Amanda McCrann, the care home’s residents, schoolchildren and Iffley residents.

The two-metre circular tiled piece includes the main body of Mike Garry’s poem entitled Warm Rays of Sun Amidst Cool Falling Rain.

It is surrounded by six smaller one-metre circles which contain the remaining stanzas of the poem and is surrounded by borders with patterns inspired by St Mary’s, Iffley.

Resident Joan Brown, 100, who cut the ribbon at the official unveiling, said: “It’s a beautiful piece of artwork and it’s wonderful to see it complete in our garden.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the unveiling and we all feel very proud of the finished piece.”

The official unveiling in the gardens of the home was on October 10 when pupils from Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School and the Isis Academy, who worked on the artwork, joined care home residents and staff.

Visitors enjoyed refreshments and entertainment from Wantage Male Voice Choir.

The mosaic was inspired by the poem written by Mr Garry and Iffley residents added tiles to complete the creation.

The artist’s work was commissioned by Seddon, which built the care home on behalf of Sanctuary Care’s parent company, Sanctuary Group.

Mr Garry said: “It has been an honour to work with the residents of the home and the wider Iffley community.

“We are community artists and we like to work with people. Art projects like this bring people together and that touches us.We are thrilled with the final results.”

Rita Harris, Sanctuary Care’s regional manager for the home, said: “We are delighted residents had the chance to contribute to this magnificent artwork, which they can admire for years to come.”

The £5m care home opened in February.