Hamstead Hall students leave their mark at Sandwell Valley

Since day one I have been hankering to get the railway bridge at the entrance to the nature reserve spruced up. Finally, the blank canvas of concrete has been transformed this week by a mural artist with the help of local school children.

Once a long stretch of greyish nothing, the bridge is now a bright and vibrant corridor, which is far more representative of the wonderful wildlife the reserve holds.

Where to begin, if you remember I blogged about Network Rail coming to prep the bridge with masonry paint back September (thanks guys). Well since then we have been very busy indeed. Children from the local primary school, Grestone primary and secondary school, Hamstead Hall Academy came to the nature reserve to try their hand at some natural art. Taking inspiration from nature the students created pictures that I sent to the mural artist to inspire a design that would transform the crossing.

Thursday morning came with thick cold wet mist that hung over the bridge like a cloak. The guys from Spearfish arrived at 8am and informed us that the walls were too damp and the spray paint that they were using to create the mural would not stick. Credit has to go to our community engagement intern, Jasmin, and Cass who quickly grabbed as much absorbent material they could get hold of and got to work wiping down the walls.

Rich Roberts, the artist, then got to work outlining the design of the mural. Myself and Cass, from Spearfish began to fill in the shapes that soon came together as one huge amazing piece of artwork. It was as though the bridge had come alive.

In the afternoon more students from Hamstead Hall Academy came to the reserve to try their hand at spray painting and to help get the work completed. Jumpsuits on, and facemasks in place, they soon got to work. I actually heard one of them say it was one of the best things they have ever done. J

Unfortunately the sinking sun stole the day away from us prematurely and we had to call it a day at 4.30pm. Rich and Cass had to come back for a second day to complete the work.

The pictures speak for themselves....it looks absolutely AWESOME! Come and have a look for yourselves, you know where we are!