A burst of festive creativity filled Crewe Market Hall as local families, artists and music lovers collaborated to help design the artwork for Christmas Tails, a new charity album set to raise funds for Nantwich's RSPCA Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre and Cattery.

The album, which will be released on Friday 28 November, is the latest project coordinated by Crewe musician and artist Mark Sheeky, following the success of 2023's Snow Business album, which raised money for local homeless charity LATH.

This festive follow-up brings together a dozen local bands and musicians, collectively known as The Electric Sprout Foundation, each contributing an original Christmas song written and recorded specially for the album.

The completed Christmas Tales charity album artwork (Photo: Peter Robinson).

To celebrate the creative spirit behind the project, an interactive artwork event was held on 29 October as part of Creative Crewe's craft day at Crewe Market Hall, with special thanks to Carol Wilkinson and the Creative Crewe team for their support.

The Market Hall was buzzing with activity as around 20 to 30 people of all ages joined in decorating leaves and Christmas trees to form a large collage artwork representing a walk through a British forest.

Hidden among the trees are not only woodland animals but also playful references to the artists who feature on the album.

Charlotte Williams from RSPCA Stapeley Grange brought along pictures of some of the centre's residents to inspire the artwork, including Miss Piggy, a rescued seal from Pembrokeshire who has become the star of the album cover.

With only four RSPCA wildlife centres across the UK, Stapeley Grange plays a vital role in caring for sick, injured and orphaned wild animals, as well as cats and kittens in need of homes across Cheshire, North Wales and beyond.

All proceeds from Christmas Tails will go directly to support Stapeley Grange's work, and the project has already raised over £100 before its release (Photo: Peter Robinson).

All proceeds from Christmas Tails will go directly to support Stapeley Grange's work, and the project has already raised over £100 before its release.

The featured artists on Christmas Tails include: Andrew Williams, Fall in Green, Glyn Roberts, John Lindley, John Miller, Nastee Chapel, Paul Parish, The Forrest Dick Band, The Shaw Sisters, We Are Nomad, and Mark Sheeky.

The album can be pre-ordered now on Bandcamp, with digital copies delivered automatically to supporters on release day (Friday 28 November).

Album organiser, Mark Sheeky, said: "It is wonderful to see so many local people and musicians come together for such a good cause.

"The artwork event really captured the spirit of community and creativity that Christmas Tails is all about.

The album can be pre-ordered now on Bandcamp, with digital copies delivered automatically to supporters on release day (Friday 28 November) (Photo: Peter Robinson).

"Every pre-order helps the RSPCA Stapeley Grange continue their incredible work with animals in need, so please do get involved, spread the word, and buy your copy today."

A live public ledger of all sales and funds raised is available at Google Sheets Fund Tracker.

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