Using bamboo canes and tissue paper, people created giant feathers to celebrate Gravesham’s most famous princess.

The feathers, similar to those decorating Native American headdresses, will be used in a parade next month recognising individuals, groups and organisations who demonstrate community spirit, peace and kindness to others.

People can nominate ‘peacemakers’ for everyday acts of kindness, heroic achievements or life-long contributions for supporting the common good.

The workshops last week at Gravesham Borough Market were part of the Pocahontas 400 – Peace and Reconciliation project.

Organised by Gravesham Borough Council, the festival is commemorating the 400th anniversary of Pocahontas’s arrival and death in Gravesend.

Funded by Arts Council England Grants for the Arts, it will see a series of community events leading up to the parade in March.

Following a call for professional artists to put forward ideas for artwork to celebrate the legacy of Pocahontas, Animate Arts, from Canterbury, was selected.

The group will create a two-part Peace Tree sculpture symboliseing peace and friendship between Gravesend and Pocahontas’s homeland of Virginia, USA.

The tree, made entirely from recycled paper and cardboard, will reflect on the rich industrial heritage of paper-making in Gravesend and the design is inspired by tree species growing in the area. Perched in it will be a bird native to Gravesend.

The design of the tree will be led by artistic director and visual artist Jo Dyer while the bird will be created by sculptor Stephen Larking, who specialises in creating paper birds.

Jo said: “We are so delighted to return and work in Gravesend on this project. It is an absolute honour to create an artwork with the community in celebration of Pocahontas and all the community-minded values that she represented.

“We feel really passionate about bringing people together through our work.”

The sculpture will be unveiled at a ceremony next month when one part of the artwork will be handed over to a delegation from Virginia.

To nominate your ‘peacemakers’ visit the website or email info@visitgravesend.co.uk