Hartlepool College student has postcard shared during Nuclear Week in Parliament 

The artistic talents of a Hartlepool College of Further Education student were showcased in the corridors of power this week, as a specially designed postcard appeared at the Houses of Parliament.

Aven Villardefranco, a gifted art student at the college, won a competition to have their artwork distributed to MPs, industry leaders and stakeholders during Nuclear Week in Parliament (NWiP), taking place between January 19-21.

The front of the winning postcard features a vibrant ‘Greetings from Hartlepool’ message, alongside artistic impressions of some of the town's most iconic landmarks, such as Ward Jackson Park, Hartlepool Art Gallery and the historic Headland.

X-energy, the advanced nuclear reactor company, wanted to celebrate the drive to bring the next generation of nuclear power to Hartlepool by running the postcard competition.

The postcards were distributed to guests attending a high-profile reception hosted by Lord Wharton.

The event highlighted the partnership between X-energy and Centrica following their announcement of a Joint Development Agreement in September to spearhead new nuclear plans in the UK.

Aven said: "I enjoyed the postcard project because it gave me the chance to turn my favourite parts of the town into something others would see.

“Hartlepool is the only town I’ve ever really known and it’s a place I’ve found a lot of joy in because of the people. We make the best of it, and the best can be a lot, with a little hope and good company.” 

The postcard, which includes the X-energy and Centrica logos alongside a QR code linking to further information, symbolises the connection between the town's heritage and its industrial future.  

NWiP is an annual event where hundreds of Parliamentarians and industry representatives engage in discussions regarding new build projects, the fuel cycle and decommissioning.

Leon Flexman, X-energy’s UK Corporate Affairs Director, said: "It is incredibly important for us to develop strong relationships with local institutions like Hartlepool College.

“As we look to bring the next generation of nuclear power to the region, we want to ensure we are engaging with the next generation of local talent.

“We were impressed by the creativity shown by the students, but Aven’s design stood out. We are excited to be able to take a little piece of Hartlepool down to London to show MPs and industry leaders exactly what makes this town so special.”

The collaboration and competition to design the postcard offered students a vital opportunity to experience a ‘live brief’ - working to specific client requirements and deadlines.

Lauren Morrell, Creative Enterprise and Marketing Lecturer at Hartlepool College, said: “We feel privileged as a college to be considered for competitions and live briefs like this.

“Opportunities like these give students a genuine insight into working to tight deadlines and producing work for real commercial application.

“Seeing Aven’s work heading to London to be shared is a huge achievement and will be a real asset to their portfolio, reflecting both their creativity and professionalism.”

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