Crafty kids were egg-static about the fun they were having during a series of Easter themed workshops at Broadway Shopping Centre in Bexleyheath.

A week of children’s craft workshops beginning on Monday heralded the start of a whole series of exciting special events leading up to the grand opening of the new Morleys department store next Thursday, April 13.

Activities such as egg decorating, Easter bunny mask making and money box making are on offer each day this week between 10am and 3pm, with donations being collected in aid of Greenwich and Bexley Community Hospice.

There was also a chance to enter a competition to win three sets of cinema passes for a family of four to watch the movie Boss Boy at Cineworld in Bexleyheath, for anyone visiting Broadway Shopping Centre between April 3 and 7.

Children who joined in the Easter workshop action said they had a cracking time.

That included 10-year-old Danita Ewart-Kelly and her sister Abbiena from Erith who were there with their mum Jess Kelly.

Jess said: “The girls were both busy in the workshop making Easter baskets. We came the day before when they made Easter bonnets and they enjoyed it so much they wanted to come back again.

“We come along to Broadway every half term holiday because they always have something on for the children and the girls had a great time at the activities they had for Valentine’s Day.

“It gives the children something to do when their parents are out shopping and they just love it.”

Danita said: “I’ve been making an Easter basket and painting it blue. I’ve also been adding some decorations so it looks really nice and having lots of fun.”

Hayley Marriott travelled in from Sidcup with her two young daughters, Ayda and Anais Sexton.

While Anais, two, was busy creating a pretty Easter basket her six-year-old sister was putting the finishing touches to a giant Easter egg.

Mum Hayley said: “We always try to come along to these special events because they’re such a good idea and keep the children occupied. Both the girls are keen on craft so it’s perfect for them.”

“I’ve been having a great time making my Easter egg and painting it in red, yellow and green,” said Ayda.

Also engrossed with adding colourful flourishes to the Easter baskets they were both making were four-year-old Mya Smith from Sidcup and her friend Ella Pearce, three, from Bean.

They were at the workshop with Mya’s mum Rachel Clifford who said: “Apart from everything else the girls have been using an awful lot of glitter on their eggs and having a fantastic time.

“I run a soft play company in the area so I like to come down to Broadway whenever they have a craft event on. It’s also good that a collection is being made for charity and I’ll be making a big donation as I’m a big supporter of the hospice.”

Taking a break from putting together her Easter basket, Mya said: “I’m making it look very pretty and colourful so I have to put lots of glitter on it. I’m really enjoying myself.”

Also loving every minute of making an Easter basket was five-year-old Tommy Weston from Bexleyheath who had been brought along by his grandmother, Loraine Weston, who lives in the same area.

“We regularly come along to the children’s craft days at Broadway as Tommy loves craftwork and has a really great time.

“I’ve also brought his little sister Lara Weston. As she’s only 10 months old I’ve been helping her to make her own Easter basket and she’s loved every minute of it too.”

A delighted Tommy said: “I wanted to make my basket really colourful so I’ve done it with blue and pink feathers around the handle.” Morleys is moving into Broadway Shopping Centre with 100 staff to offer a range of premium brands.

On hand to mark the official unveiling by the Mayor of Bexley, Councillor Eileen Pallen, at 10am on Thursday April 13 will be a steel orchestra who have performed for Royalty, a traditional town crier, and the biggest indoor maze Bexleyheath has ever seen. A giant maze, named in honour of the new flagship department store Morleys will arrive on April 8 and remain at Broadway Shopping Centre’s central mall area until Saturday April 15.

Peter Sedge, General Manager at Broadway Shopping Centre, said: “It’s always fantastic fun to host the children’s craft workshops and see some real artistic talent on the part of our young visitors.

“Some of their creations were absolutely brilliant and I’m sure they’ve now taken pride of place back in their homes.

“The workshops are a great way to get Easter off to a cracking start and the perfect prelude to our series of amazing special events to mark the opening of the new Morleys store at Broadway Shopping Centre. “This new flagship store is an excellent addition to the retail offer in Bexleyheath and is an event worth celebrating.”

For more information about events and stores at Broadway Shopping Centre go to www.broadwayshoppingcentre.com or visit the centre’s Facebook page or Twitter account @BroadwayBexley

Submitted by Deb James