Hopes Gloucester mural can be saved
NEIGHBOURS overlooked by a mural with a strong political message hope it can be saved.
Since scaffolding went up over the mural on the side of the former Gloucestershire Forum for Young Single Homelessness (GLOFYSH) building, speculation has grown that the artwork could be consigned to the history books.
Rob Stephens feared the city centre landmark might be doomed.
"It's been here since I started here, it must be from the early 80s," said Rob, who has run Stephens Electrics next door in Wellington Street since 1988.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013
"I haven't had a chance to speak to the owner but I would like to see it preserved, either on the side of the building it's on, or if that's not possible then I would be willing to have it on the shop.
"It's been there so long, I'd like to see it preserved."
The mural depicts scenes from protests throughout the 20th Century, including the Jarrow March and the miners strikes.
It also depicts signposts to benefits and demands a better future for young people. It's not known who produced it but it has been on the side of the former GLOFYSH building at number four Wellington Street since at least the mid 80s and though weathered has withstood the elements fairly well.
It features in the online www.gloucesterarttrail.co.uk.
Scaffolding went up on Wednesday and builders were working at the site yesterday) and one said he would relay Mr Fletcher's concerns to the owner.
For 16 years the support, advice and advocacy service for young people helped some of Gloucester's most vulnerable get a roof over their heads.
But in 2007 it was claimed Gloucestershire County Council cuts indirectly led to its closure, although the council said it wasn't to blame.
The owner of the building did not respond to The Citizen's calls.
Comments
by Michael_AH
Sunday, January 20 2013, 11:22AM
“it was painted when the building was the Unemployed Workers Centre. Paul Drake, now at the University of Gloucestershire was Gloucester's Community Artist at the time and was, I believe, involved in the mural's creation”