TO celebrate the 140th birthday of sculptor Thomas Clapperton, local children are being invited to take part in a fun workshop to make a clay tile which they can take home and keep.

Clapperton is famous for creating the statue of Robert the Bruce at the entrance of Edinburgh Castle, the London Liberty Store frieze, and the Border Reiver war memorial which sits at the foot of the clock tower in Galashiels.

Other notable works by the Galashiels-born sculptor include the Fletcher statue in Selkirk and war memorials also in Selkirk as well as Earlston and Minto.

To commemorate his work, local ceramicist Bonnie Fairbrass will lead a tile-making workshop for children aged 4 and upwards on Tuesday, October 15.

Bonnie, whose exhibition, Dirty Earth currently features at Old Gala House, creates earthenware, porcelain, and stoneware pieces using a variety of techniques including hand-building, sculpting/modelling, and throwing.

She told us: "I am absolutely honoured to be holding my first solo exhibition at Old Gala House and I look forward to meeting visitors at the ‘Relief Tile Workshop’, which honours the 140th anniversary of local sculptor, Thomas Clapperton."

The workshop runs from 1pm to 3pm and costs £5 per child.

Phoebe Stewart, assistant curator at Live Borders, said: “We’re delighted that Bonnie Fairbrass is going to be holding this workshop celebrating the 140 years since Thomas Clapperton was born.

"Gala’s own famous sculptor was an important figure in his time, and you can see his legacy across the Borders and the UK.

“We can’t wait to see the results from the tile-making workshop, and we hope it inspires artists of the future.”

Materials are included.

The workshops, with materials included, are suitable for children aged 4+.

And all under 8s must be accompanied by an adult.

To book a place call 01896 752611 or 01750 726456.