Pen put to paper for major mural project
THE Alloway Railway Tunnel has been awarded £25,000 from the People’s Postcode Trust.
The community project is to create one of Scotland’s largest murals through the Alloway Railway Tunnel.
It will transform the old, dilapidated tunnel that has been defaced with graffiti into a safe, inspiring place, with a beautiful hand-painted mural by one of the UK’s top muralists and visionaries.
Project chair Ron Ireland said: “This is marvellous news. Securing the funding means that we have been able to finally sign the contract with our mural artist, Chris Rutterford.
“Work on the mural can now start and over the summer Chris will be preparing for various mural residencies in local schools and Ayrshire College as well as public workshops so that we can involve as many of the local community as possible.
“We’ve been working hard to raise funds for this amazing project, and we are delighted to receive a reward from the People’s Postcode Trust.
“We would like to thank players of People’s Postcode Lottery for raising funds that will go a long way to ensure that we make a difference to improving our community.
“Alloway is the birthplace of Robert Burns. We are proud of this legacy and want to ensure residents and visitors have the best experience when exploring our village.
“Improving the tunnel through an amazing art installation will enhance that experience and help us tell the story not just about
Robert Burns, but about the history of Ayrshire.”
In addition to this player support, the project has also received generous donations from Sustrans ArtRoots, the Ayrshire College Foundation, Dawn Group Limited, a local construction and development company and a successful crowdfunding campaign match-funded by Creative Scotland.
The Alloway Railway Tunnel team wants community groups to get involved in painting the tunnel.
Group leaders should email info@allowaytunnel.org.uk to register their interest in workshops which will run in the autumn.
The project will be created in four parts.
The first part which will feature Burns Cottage and a tavern scene is due to be installed by the end of November this year.