Work to start on giant mural after years of planning
IT HAS taken almost two years to go from the spark of an idea to reality - but work is to start this month on a giant new mural in Maltby.
The artwork will measure around 50 yards long when complete and is being billed as one of Rotherham’s biggest community projects in recent history.
It will stretch across the walls of buildings at Coronation Park, replacing a faded predecessor.
Called The Coronation Swing, the new artwork was inspired by the imagination of children from the community - finally coming to reality through a partnership between Maltby Community Hub CIC and schools, businesses, volunteers and community organisations.
The last two years has been taken up by planning and fund-raising - kick-started with support from the Children’s Capital of Culture programme - and work is now due to start on July 13.
Artworks CIC became involved, providing a vital component in getting the mural, which has been inspired by youngsters’ thoughts on the park, painted.
That was because it was a struggle to find an artist willing to take on a project of that scale.
Artist Alistair Flindall, of Lick of Paint, stepped in to take charge of the work, supported by artists with disabilities. It is anticipated the job will be finished in three weeks.
To help the project along, funding was obtained through GS Kelsey, with ACE Partitions and Ceilings rendering the wall without charge to provide a fresh surface to work on.
Cllrs Lynda Stables has co-ordinated the work with colleagues Cllr Simon Ball and Cllr Adam Tinsley.
Cllr Stables said: “When we first asked local children what they wanted, they didn’t ask for anything extravagant.
“They simply wanted a park they could feel proud of.
“We hope people will enjoy watching The Coronation Swing come to life over the summer and that, when it’s finished, every child who walks past it can say ‘we helped create that”.
The park sits in the Maltby East council ward, though the objective is that it should be used and enjoyed by those living in all parts of the community.
Drawings created by children to inspire the mural featured topics from swings to wildlife, flowers, trees and open spaces.
Maltby Academy students have also contributed words and phrases which will be included in the design.