Pupils from Felsted School assisted with the expansion of a charity art installation, part of which was presented to Princess Anne in memory of the late Queen and Prince Philip.

The installation consists of 20,000 glowing lights in the shape of 800 fireflies, each one dedicated to the memory of a loved one.

Felsted pupils helped artist and former pupil Bruce Munro construct the fireflies, which light up the grounds of Dorothy House Hospice in Wiltshire.

Princess Anne was one of the first people to receive one of the new lights.

Dunmow Broadcast: The firefly installation at Dorothy House HospiceThe firefly installation at Dorothy House Hospice (Image: Felsted School)

Head of art Elizabeth Jackson said: "Bruce is a former student of our school, so when he asked us to work with him to expand the installation so that more people could sponsor a light in a loved one’s memory we were very happy to offer our time."

Year 13 pupil Alex commented: "We had to individually construct the fireflies and position them in the wooded grounds, so at night they create a gently illuminated, meandering stream of light.

"Spending two days carefully fitting fibre optics into the copper structure of each firefly was a brilliant opportunity to learn and gain insight from a professional artist."

The hospice's Firefly Woods was originally installed in 2021, and has become a valued space for those who visit Dorothy House. The new expansion now means it can be enjoyed by the wider community.

Bruce Munro said: "Light is the beginning of life and the end of life, and without light there is no existence.

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"These little fireflies move with the air currents and almost feel as if they have a life within them."

The Princess Royal toured Firefly Woods as part of her visit to the hospice's day patient unit, where she met with patients, families, volunteers and staff.

More information about art and design technology at Felsted is available at one of the school's upcoming open events.

To find out more visit www.felsted.org/opendays.

Dorothy House Hospice provides palliative and end-of-life care to adults with a progressive life-limiting illness or severe frailty, along with support for their families and carers.