Stunning mural lights up gloomy underpass

A dingy underpass covered in graffiti has been transformed by volunteers as part of a colourful community project.

The route, which links Tannery Field to the St Mildred’s Tannery housing development, has been brought to life by a mural created by the Friends of Westgate Parks and artist Colette Baumback.

Volunteers have spent the past 10 days painstakingly scraping flaking paint and dirt off the walls and painting it with the bright mural called Shadows of the Past.

Lauren Baker, Westgate Parks officer, said it reflected the history of the parks and Canterbury.

“The design consists of a sunset background with shadows of pilgrims travelling towards the city centre on the southern wall, reflecting the journey many pilgrims took and still take to visit Canterbury Cathedral,” she said.

“On the northern side, the shadows of cattle against a sunset background can be seen being driven towards Bingley Island, where livestock once regularly grazed and could rest before attending market.”

She said it has been covered in anti-graffiti paint so volunteers would be able to easily wipe away any vandalism in the future.

Ms Baker added: “It has been a pleasure to work alongside all of the fantastic volunteers who have given up their own time to help transform this once grotty underpass into a majestic work of art.”

Ms Baumback, who helped the Friends paint the wildflower mural in the underpass linking Toddlers Cove to Westgate Gardens in 2016, added: “It is a community project and when people are involved in their environment in this way, they take ownership of it and they respect it.

“The amount of positive feedback we’ve had has been brilliant.”

The project was made possible through funding from Canterbury City Council’s area members panel.

Kent County Council also fixed the underpass lights, and Serco for cleaning the alcoves.

And C Brewers & Sons Ltd and Toolstation organised the paint and equipment for the project.