Stonebridge Wild River Reserve’s stunning new mural

An exciting collaborative project to transform a wall that had become an eyesore is underway along the well-used footpath, Stonebridge Lane, in Marlborough. Local charity Action for the River Kennet (ARK) are working with T H WHITE, Marlborough and The GC Charitable Trust to create a beautiful mural that faces onto the water meadow at Stonebridge Wild River Reserve. Anna Forbes, ARK’s Senior Project Officer, said, “It’s taken a long time to get to this point but it is amazing to get the wall showcasing so many of the animals and plants that we as a community are so lucky to have on our doorstep. The ARK volunteers have worked really hard to paint the wall and give the artist the blank canvas required for her work.”

The wall is owned by T H WHITE, who donated the masonry paint, rollers and PPE for the led ARK volunteer team to use to paint over lots of graffiti that had been done without the wall owner’s permission. Adrian Lovegrove, T H WHITE’s ACDG Divisional Director, said, “We are very happy to support this local effort to improve our shared environment and look forward with interest to seeing the finished result!”

London based artist Janey Louise Fletcher, who specialises in spray painted murals has been commissioned by Martin Gibson from The G C Gibson Charitable Trust to create the mural and begun her work last weekend with permission from the wall owners. Martin Gibson from G C Charitable Trust said, “We are delighted to support this lovely work of art on a previously grotty wall. It will show people some of the wonders of a chalk stream and its threats. Thanks also to T H White and ARK for their help and support.”

Janey’s work is being well received by all ages. So far, she has sprayed a wonderful scene featuring an otter, a pair of swans, a mole and cased caddis and an adult caddisfly accompanied by iconic chalk stream plants including purple loosestrife, stream-water crowfoot and flag iris. The mural is still a work in progress, so keep an eye out as work continues.

ARK organised a drawing competition for local school children, who were tasked to inspire some of the mural content and a Year 4 student at Marlborough St Mary’s won. Anna from ARK said, “I can’t wait to see elements from the winner’s drawing. It will be so exciting for him to see his work at Stonebridge.”

To find out more about ARK visit click here  or to volunteer for ARK contact: anna@riverkennet.org  

For art enquiries contact artist Janey Louise Fletcher by clicking here.