Xtra Diary: Jewellery maker, Ashia Thompson, a rare talent

Published: 17 June 2011
by JOSH LOEB

SKILFUL painters, photographers and sculptors abounded at the private view of the Westminster Adult Education Service (WAES) summer exhibition at the SW1 Gallery in Victoria. 

Ashia Thompson, from Maida Vale, scooped a commendation for her hand-made jewellery. She was presented with her award alongside fellow prize-winners Zion Siton, who writes and illustrates comic books, and graphic artist Jose Camacho.

There was music from WAES singing student Charles Pina, and guests of honour were the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Susie Burbridge, and BBC creative director Alan Yentob, who called on our elected representatives to support groups such as WAES. “The arts are critical,” he said. 

“They draw people like a magnet. All of us need to continue to tell our civic leaders and the people who run the country that this matters.”

At this point Diary detected a small elephant in the room. Uncertainty currently surrounds the future of WAES, the council having announced last month that the service would be moved from its site in Amberley Road to make way for a controversial free school.

In 2009 plans to build a flagship new base for WAES in Moxon Street were put on hold after City Hall lost out on a grant. Councillor Nickie Aiken, who is in charge of education, says she is working with the service to find suitable new accommodation.