Derby Through the Ages’ mural plan mooted for ‘tired and dirty’ cemetery wall
PLANS are in the making to transform a “tired and dirty” cemetery wall into a mural celebrating Derby’s history.
Councillors in both the Chaddesden and Derwent wards are in early discussions about such a project which would give the huge wall in Nottingham Road a major facelift.
Councillors say an early idea is that a “Derby Through The Ages” mural could be created on the wall which supports the nearby cemetery grounds.
Councillors are seeking thoughts from the public, especially given the sensitive nature of the cemetery wall.
A Facebook post on the Chaddesden Ward Councillors page has received more than 200 comments in response to the idea.
Councillors say they want to do something to brighten the area as they say the long wall currently looks “tired and dirty”.
Should the project happen the wall could feature elements of Derby’s engineering and manufacturing history as well as other aspects – possibly including Derby County and Florence Nightingale.
If given the go-ahead, the mural will be done by professional artists. The councillors say: “Last week whilst with our fellow councillor of Derwent, Tracey Pearce, we discussed the wall that runs down from the cemetery to the Masons Place Business Park on Nottingham Road. We got discussing what we could do to brighten it up as it currently looks tired and dirty. “The wall has always been well respected because it supports the cemetery grounds.
“We came up with a potential idea to paint it white and then get professional artists to paint a “Derby Through The Ages” to detail great achievements such as our rail and aero industry (along with many others).
“Initial discussions have taken place with the four of us along with council officers to identify potential budgets for such a project. The officers liked the idea of bringing colour and culture to the area. We wanted to seek the opinions of all of our residents to see if this is something local people wanted.
“We understand the land behind this wall is sacred and meaningful to a lot of people, so we want to gauge if there is support for a mural of ‘Derby Through The Ages’”.
The wall has always been well respected because it supports the cemetery grounds.
City councillors