THE FULLY-restored Droitwich Town Mural will be officially unveiled in St Andrews Square at 4.30pm on Wednesday, April 17.
The piece was first created and installed in 1976 by Philippa Threlfall and her husband Kennedy Collings.
The picture, loved by residents and visitors to the town, has adorned the wall of what is now ‘Café Morso’ by the entrance to St Andrews Shopping Centre for the past 43 years, depicting different aspects of Droitwich Spa life.
Over the years, the mural has suffered almost irreparable damage and a project to restore it to its former glory came to fruition.
After many years of hard work and perseverance, the Droitwich Arts Network (DAN) successfully led the project, believing it was the group’s duty to preserve the town’s art and because no-one was found to accept ownership.
In 2018, the mural was removed and the space was filled with 28 panels provided by local artists, schools and clubs, displaying the large wealth of the town’s talent.
Philippa and her son Daniel Collings, owners of the company ‘Black Dog of Wells’, carried out the restoration work, restoring details, strengthening panels and bringing it back to its former glory.
Two plaques, including the town’s first braille sign, will also be installed next to the mural so future generations and visitors can identify the historic buildings.
Project leader Alan Davey said: “The Heritage Lottery Fund wanted something to permanently publicise the mural to visitors.
“We are going to encourage the groups who organise the Saturday Town walks, to include the mural and we have already created a one-hour talk named ‘The Treasures of Droitwich’, in which the ceramic mural is more than favourably compared with other Droitwich Treasures.”
The ceremony will be led by Droitwich Arts Network Chairman Helen Karakashian and will be attended by the Mayor and District Chairman.
Musical entertainment will also take place.
Anyone interested in the mural is welcome to attend the ceremony on Wednesday and DAN is now looking to find an organisation to take on the responsibility of care for the mural in the future.
