Darkwood is dedicated to environment
Eye-catching mural in Ferguslie is finally completed ahead of next month’s COP26
It was great to get the mural done
Terry McTernan
A new mural is brightening up Ferguslie and showing off the community’s dedication to the environment.
Darkwood Crew commissioned the eyecatching painting which is now proudly on display on the walls of the Tannahill Centre.
Painted by Houston artist Stephen Blackmore, known as Bmore Sketchy, the mural aims to highlight Ferguslie’s dedication to tackling climate change – a movement led by Darkwood Crew.
The stunning artwork – which has delighted locals – has been ongoing since before the pandemic, but Darkwood Crew were delighted to get Stephen and his paint cans to finally complete the artwork recently.
And they hope it will help start important conversations about climate change and the environment with residents.
Terry McTernan, secretary of Darkwood Crew, said: “It was great to finally get the mural done and it looks fantastic. Stephen did a brilliant job.
“It has been in the works for a while as we got some cash last year as part of the Celebrating Renfrewshire Fund but we had to delay it because of covid.
“We thought now would be a good time to finally get it done, particularly in the run up to COP26 where we really want to start conversations and have people thinking about climate change.
“We also thought it was fitting to show the future of Ferguslie and our dedication to the environment, particularly given the community’s damaging industrial history which is very much in the past with the future of both our community and planet in our own hands.”
The new mural is one of two which is being carried out as part of the project by Darkwood Crew, with another set to be completed in the coming weeks on the village green.
Darkwwod Crew are also celebrating the installation of banners in areas of Ferguslie and Linwood, which they have identified as fly-tipping hotspots.
The group of volunteers are dedicated to clamping down on dumb dumpers in the area, and have teamed up with Keep Scotland Beautiful to put the banners in place.
Darkwood Crew already work with KSB on their award-winning Upstream Battle campaign to help tackle the litter problem in communities along the River Clyde.
Terry added: “We identified the fly-tipping hotspots which tie in with the areas we work with Keep Scotland Beautiful in the Upstream Battle campaign.
“These banners are in place to let people know that they are being watched and that the area is being monitored.”