North End siblings brighten up their street and neighbours' days with colourful chalk creation

A CHALK creation has brightened up a North End street thanks to a pair of talented siblings hoping to bring some cheer to others.

By Belinda Dickins

Published 27th May 2020, 17:07 BST

Updated 28th May 2020, 17:44 BST

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Portchester Road has become home to some amazing rainbow art after 10-year-old Chloe Topham and her brother Callum, five, began drawing colourful designs on the walls and pavement.

After starting with the space outside their own front door by applying tape to the ground and colouring in each section, neighbours soon began to take notice and asked if the pair could continue their patterns along the road.

Chloe, who is in Year 5 at Isambard Brunel Junior School, said: ‘I wanted to be creative and make people happy when they go for walks or just come outside their houses, so my brother and I decided to chalk our wall in rainbow colours.

Chloe and Callum Topham, 10 and 5, have brightened up Portchester Road in North End with their colourful chalk design

Chloe and Callum Topham, 10 and 5, have brightened up Portchester Road in North End with their colourful chalk design

‘When people walked by they admired it and said it looked lovely.’

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She added: ‘When people in our street and other people that walked by saw it they said how wonderful and bright it looked. Our next door neighbour asked us to do hers so we did hers and she loved it.

‘Then three other neighbours asked us too. Even neighbours opposite have asked us to do theirs. It has made me feel happier because it looks brighter and more cheerful with what is going on at the moment. I like it when people stop and take photos of our work.’

Chloe and Callum Topham, 10 and 5, have brightened up Portchester Road in North End with their colourful chalk design. Pictured: The first creative idea was to colour in the wall outside

Chloe and Callum Topham, 10 and 5, have brightened up Portchester Road in North End with their colourful chalk design. Pictured: The first creative idea was to colour in the wall outside

Chloe and Callum were inspired by wanting to make others happy, and have spent up to three hours each day on their artwork after finishing homeschooling lessons.

Callum, a reception pupil at Meredith Infant School, said: ‘It was fun doing the chalking outside with my sister. It took a long time. My neighbours took lots of photos.’

Jodie Shiers, mum of the creative duo, said: ‘I was amazed when they did it. It has kept them entertained and they like making people happy. I think it’s amazing, they have just been really creative - it has definitely made them seem a lot happier.

‘We have had loads of people come down to take photos and bring their kids to look at it so it has been really nice.’

Chloe and Callum Topham, 10 and 5, have brightened up Portchester Road in North End with their colourful chalk design

Chloe and Callum Topham, 10 and 5, have brightened up Portchester Road in North End with their colourful chalk design

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Chloe and Callum Topham, 10 and 5, have brightened up Portchester Road in North End with their colourful chalk design. Pictured: The pair pulling up the tape from their artwork

Chloe and Callum Topham, 10 and 5, have brightened up Portchester Road in North End with their colourful chalk design. Pictured: The pair pulling up the tape from their artwork

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