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GALLERY: Spoonville spreads joy in the Hunter

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In parks, streets and front yards across the Hunter, little villages keep popping up. 

They’re exempt from COVID-19 restrictions and have been constructed to spread joy and encourage creativity during the lockdown. 

While some people may find them odd, the gaggle of smiling faces are a great example of the region’s community spirit. 

The sites have no idea how much pleasure they’re delivering though, given they’re not living objects but spoons.

Spoonville is an international trend that started in England with the idea of making characters from wooden spoons as a way of cheering up the community during the pandemic. 

While the initiative hit Australia last year, Hunter residents have only recently begun after the beginning of the latest stay-at-home orders.

Spoonvilles are now appearing in various places including Cooks Hill, East Maitland, Valentine, Carrington, Beresfield and several other suburbs.  

Swansea Preservice early childhood teacher Aimee Hancock believes it is an “awesome idea”.

“I think it is a really great opportunity for people of our community to connect during a time we cannot physically be together,” she said. 

Aimee, alongside her workmates, is starting a Spoonville at Glendale. 

“My colleagues and I are currently doing our teaching internships,” she said.

“As part of our final assessment, we have to complete a leadership task. 

“We decided to send home craft packs for the kids to do even though they may not be attending the childcare centre at the moment. 

“One of the staff members introduced us to the Spoonvilles that have been popping up and we thought that’s an awesome idea to connect with the families and the broader community during these unprecedented times.”

The Newcastle and Hunter community has definitely thrown their support behind the initiative.

Aimee believes people love the sites because they show off an area’s creativity.  

“I think it’s great to see the difference between [the spoons],” she said. 

“It’s fun to try and pick out what they are – we’ve had some come back as princesses and mermaids and monsters – it’s a great conversation starter.”

Starting a Spoonville is easier than you think.

All it takes is a sign to mark the village and then children (and adults) can decorate a wooden spoon character using anything they please – googly eyes, pipe cleaners and feathers seem to be among the most popular materials.  

Other lockdown trends to sweep the Hunter throughout the pandemic have included chalk art and hopscotch, teddy bear hunts, painting and hiding rocks and community libraries. 

What have you and your family been getting up during the stay-at-home order? Let us know in the comments. 

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