Havering Pupils Win Mother’s Day Portrait at Mercury Romford 2026

Key Points

• Pupils from various Havering schools, including Ardleigh Green Infant School and Olive AP Academy Havering, won recognition in a Mother’s Day portrait competition organised by The Mercury Shopping Centre (now known as The Mercury Mall) in Romford.
• Hundreds of beautiful, colourful portraits were submitted by schools and groups across Havering, with winners selected after judging and public voting.​
• Artworks of winners and participants are displayed at The Mercury Mall, celebrating children’s creativity ahead of Mother’s Day.
• Prize-giving ceremony took place yesterday evening (around 14 March 2026), attended by a large number of talented children and their mothers to announce the winners.​
• Artist judges shortlisted entries, praising the creativity, colour, and care in every portrait submitted this year.
• The competition theme focused on portraits of mothers, similar to past events like the 2019 ‘Image of My Mum’ competition which received over 700 entries judged at the same venue.​
• Specific schools highlighted include Ardleigh Green Infant School and Olive AP Academy Havering, with albums of their entries shared publicly.
• The event promotes local talent and community engagement in Havering, with portraits showcased to the public.

Havering (East London Times) March 17, 2026 – Pupils from several schools across Havering have been recognised for their creative talents after winning a special Mother’s Day portrait competition, with their artworks now displayed at The Mercury Shopping Centre in Romford. The event, which received hundreds of entries from local schools and groups, culminated in a prize-giving ceremony attended by children and their mothers. Organisers at The Mercury Mall highlighted the exceptional quality of submissions, emphasising the children’s dedication in honouring their mums.

What Schools Participated in the Competition?

Ardleigh Green Infant School featured prominently, with The Mercury Mall sharing photos in an album dedicated to their Mother’s Day Portrait Competition entries on Facebook. Similarly, Olive AP Academy Havering had their contributions showcased in a dedicated album, demonstrating widespread involvement from Havering’s educational institutions.

As reported in The Havering Daily, pupils from various Havering schools received recognition, though specific winner names were not detailed in initial coverage.

The competition drew entries from schools and community groups across the borough, fostering a sense of local pride. Facebook posts from The Mercury Mall confirm albums for multiple schools, indicating a broad participation base beyond the named institutions.

This inclusive approach ensured that talents from different areas of Havering were celebrated equally.

How Was the Competition Structured?

The Mother’s Day Portrait Competition involved submissions of beautiful, colourful portraits, as announced by The Mercury Mall in a public voting call:

“Mother’s Day Portrait Competition – Vote Now! We received hundreds of beautiful, colourful portraits from schools and groups across Havering.”

Artist judges then shortlisted the entries, with an Instagram post stating:

“A huge thank you to our artist judges who shortlisted and selected our winners from the amazing entries received!”

Public engagement was key, allowing votes to influence outcomes alongside judging.

The process mirrored past events, such as the 2019 edition where judges from Brennan and Burch deliberated over 700 entries at the Mercury Mall, selecting favourites based on technique, cuteness, and detail. This year’s event followed a similar path, building anticipation through social media updates.

Who Were the Judges and What Did They Say?

Artist judges played a pivotal role, shortlisting and selecting winners from the impressive pool of entries. An Instagram reel from The Mercury Mall expressed gratitude:

“A huge thank you to our artist judges who shortlisted and selected our winners from the amazing entries received!”

They praised the overall standard, noting

“the creativity, colour and care shown in every portrait.”

In a comparable 2019 event, judges from Brennan and Burch were “astounded” by over 700 submissions for the ‘Image of My Mum’ theme at the Mercury Mall. They deliberated all morning, finding it

“hard going as there were many lovely portraits,”

before selecting favourites that combined technique, cuteness, and detail. While specific 2026 judges’ names were not listed in available sources, their involvement underscores professional input in celebrating young artists.

What Happened at the Prize-Giving Ceremony?

The prize-giving occurred yesterday evening, as detailed in a Facebook video from The Mercury Mall:

“Mothers Day Prize Giving Yesterday evening we were joined by a huge number of talented kids and their lovely mums to announce the winners.”

The event drew a large crowd, highlighting community support for the young participants.​

An accompanying Instagram reel reinforced the joy of the occasion, recapping the competition’s success. Attendees witnessed the announcement of winners, with pride evident among children and families. This ceremony marked the climax of weeks of anticipation, following public voting and judging phases.

Where Are the Winning Artworks Displayed?

Winning and commended portraits are displayed at The Mercury Shopping Centre (The Mercury Mall) in Romford, as confirmed across multiple sources. The Havering Daily reported:

“Pupils from various Havering schools received recognition in a Mother’s Day portrait competition, with their artworks displayed in The Mercury Shopping Centre’s …”

In the 2019 precedent, artworks remained on view until 31 March, allowing public appreciation. Current displays continue this tradition, inviting visitors to see the creativity firsthand. Social media albums provide digital previews, but the physical exhibition at the mall offers the full experience.

Why Is This Competition Significant for Havering?

The event showcases Havering pupils’ talents, promoting artistic expression tied to family themes like Mother’s Day. By involving hundreds of entries, it engages the entire community, from schools to shoppers. The Mercury Mall’s initiative strengthens local ties, as seen in the enthusiastic response on social platforms.

Past iterations, like 2019’s 700+ entries, demonstrate its enduring appeal in Romford. For 2026, it aligns with broader efforts to celebrate youth creativity amid local news focus on education and community. Organisers’ pride in “the creativity, colour and care” reflects its role in nurturing future artists.

When Did the Competition Take Place?

Submissions and voting occurred in early March 2026, with albums shared around 10 March. The prize-giving followed on or around 14 March, per social media timestamps. Coverage emerged by 17 March in The Havering Daily.

This timeline builds towards Mother’s Day, maximising relevance. Historical context from 2019 shows displays extending post-event, suggesting prolonged visibility. The phased approach—entries, voting, judging, prizes—ensured thorough engagement.

Who Organised the Mother’s Day Portrait Competition?

The Mercury Mall (formerly referenced as The Mercury Shopping Centre) led the organisation, posting updates and hosting displays. Their Facebook and Instagram channels detailed voting, albums, and the ceremony.

Local media like The Havering Daily amplified the story without claiming ownership. Judges, including artists, supported selection, as in prior years with Brennan and Burch. Schools such as Ardleigh Green Infant and Olive AP Academy contributed entries, partnering seamlessly.

What Feedback Have Participants and Organisers Given?

Organisers expressed delight:

“We are so proud of the creativity, colour and care shown in every portrait,”

via Instagram. The prize-giving video captured

“a huge number of talented kids and their lovely mums,”

indicating positive vibes.

The Havering Daily noted recognition for pupils’ talents without direct quotes. In 2019, judges relished the “pride and accomplishment on the faces of the winners,” post-private view. No negative feedback appeared across sources, underscoring universal acclaim.

How Does This Fit with Past Events?

This 2026 competition echoes the 2019 ‘Image of My Mum’ at Mercury Mall, which astounded judges with over 700 entries. Brennan and Burch’s blog detailed their judging: “After deliberating all morning… we finally came to a decision,” followed by display until 31 March.​

Both events emphasise volume and quality, with public displays central. The recurrence highlights The Mercury Mall’s commitment to annual celebrations of local youth art. Evolution includes social media for voting, modernising participation.