Our town is recognised by UNESCO as part of the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site. The cotton mills erected along the Derwent Valley in the late 18th century witnessed the birth and establishment of the modern factory system that helped shape the world in which we live today. Belper is therefore rich in history, but in other respects is fairly ordinary, not exactly a cultural desert but boasting little of interest to the casual visitor.
So, imagine our surprise when we discovered that a large, eye-catching mural had suddenly appeared along the main road passing through the town.
Driving along Chapel Street about a month ago we were puzzled to see what appeared to be random splatterings of paint on the gable end wall of one of the houses that front the road. We assumed artistically-challenged vandals had been at work, and thought no more of it.
A few days later, we were amazed to discover the unfathomable daubings had morphed into a magnificent mural of a kingfisher. As well as the brightly-coloured bird, the mural also features magnolia blossom and a waterwheel, the latter being a reference to Belper’s industrial heritage.
The mural is the brainchild of the house owner, Steph Walsh, who thought her local area needed a boost. She told the local radio station “”When you drive into Belper and you see that expanse of grey wall, it’s screaming out for a mural…I think it will be a positive thing for Belper – it will be the first thing you see as you drive in.”
Viewed from the other direction there’s no hint of Belper’s new, exciting mural!
Steph showed great initiative by raising the money for the mural through crowdfunding. When enough had been generated she commissioned artist Sarah Yates to get her spray-paints out and do the business. Sarah has been spray-painting for 15 years, and specialises in producing spectacular murals of birds and animals. The portfolio of street art on her website shows her to be a rare talent.
So, respect and thanks to Steph for an initiative that definitely succeeds in brightening up her part of Belper, and well done to Sarah for turning Steph’s dream – which she says she’s had for 15 years – into reality. Well-executed street art clearly improves the urban environment and raises the spirits of all who see it, so let’s hope their great little project will encourage Belper to go mural-mad.
Now I'm 64 
Wow, very tropical, something to brighten a dull day 🙂 G.
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The weather is currently grim – dull, windy and rainy – so I’m looking forward to lifting my spirits later this morning with a drive past the mural when we nip out to do the shopping.
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What a treat to unexpectedly come across this gem of a mural.
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Yes, and so close to home too. In a couple of hours I’ll be off into town to do the weekly food shopping, and will treat myself to another drive past the mural.
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Enjoy!
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That is really quite lovely.
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Yes, it’s very special, and all the more so for being located so close to my home.
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Hello Mr. P,
What a beautiful mural indeed! You know I have a soft spot for the common Kingfisher and this brightened my day.
Sending all our best wishes to you and Mrs. P 🙂
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PS It seems my comments may be marked as “spam” again. I hope you will get this!
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No, they came through in the normal way and were not tagged as spam. It was (and it is always!) good to hear from you, Takami 🙂. Best wishes from Mr and Mrs P.
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Yes, it’s very beautiful. We very rarely see living, breathing kingfishers, so the mural is a special treat for us, a reminder of what we’re missing. We are well, thank you, although autumn has definitely arrived…as I write this rain is pouring down outside. Milky Bar walked though the garden a few minutes ago, looking very, very wet, but that’s OK because – unusually for a cat – he loves the rain! 😺 Best wishes to you and your family.
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I have no idea how artists can work at this scale and the final result comes out looking so good and in proportion. Amazing skill.
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I totally agree, what they do is extraordinary. And there’s no prospect of the artist simply “stepping back” to review progress, unless of course they want to risk breaking a bone or two when they fall off the temporary scaffolding!
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My town, Waterford, has an extensive range of mural artwork which seems to be added to each year. I have threatened to walk the town and photograph it as the subject for a blog but I am firmly gardening orientated and have left it on the long green finger.
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Maybe you could consider a “grumpy” blog post, along the lines of “these murals are all very well, but what this town really needs is murals that feature roses / poppies / snowdrops etc etc” 🙂. That way, everyone’s a winner!
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I’m not sure that I could manage the “grumpy” approach! (though there are a few friends who refer to me as Victor Meldrew!)
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According to Mrs P I’m the archetypal grumpy old man, so if you need any tips just let me know (my rates are very reasonable!)
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We might set up an online school together!
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Gorgeous mural! Does magnolia blossom have any special significance in your town?
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I’m not aware of any local significance. I guess the artist included magnolia blossom simply for the joyful beauty of the colours…good choice, I think!
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Absolutely!
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Thanks for this blog post, Mr P. Like you and Mrs P I was completely taken aback when I first saw the the mural. It’s absolutely stunning.
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Hi Trisha. Yes, definitely a welcome addition to Belper’s townscape. Let’s hope we get some more of a similar standard soon!
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That’s a beautiful mural – it must really liven the area up. (It intrigues me to catch a glimpse of Belper because part of my Dad’s family lived in the area a few generations back.)
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Nice to have a family connection with such a great part of the country (I’m biased, obviously! 🙂)
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Hehe!
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A great mural. In its own way, it fits right in.
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Definitely an asset for our little town.
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Nice choice of subject for the mural 🙂
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I’ve had just one glimpse of a wild kingfisher (5 seconds maximum) this year, so the mural’s a useful reminder of just how stunning these birds are!
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The artistry tho 👌🏼
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The mural is gorgeous. I think the kingfisher is one of Western Europe’s most attractive bird, apart from bee-eaters and hoopoes. Let’s hope more Belper residents will be inspired to beautify their homes with beautiful art.
Greetings from one mural lover to another.
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The kingfisher is so colourful I sometimes find it difficult to believe it’s native to the UK – it looks as if it belongs in a tropical paradise, which is definitely not a description that can be applied to my homeland! 🙂
I like hoopoes and bee-eaters too, but although they occasionally make it to the UK I’ve never seen them here. They’d look good on a mural!
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I share your thoughts about kingfishers–and various other spectacular birds–belonging into a tropical paradise. Whenever I see them in Germany, I also feel transported.
Let’s hope that the kingfisher mural will be followed by bee-eater and hoopoe murals. 😊
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