I FULLY agree with Steph Lunt’s comments (in last week’s Star) about the lovely artwork that’s popping up around St Helens.
I also support her calls for some of this creativity to be injected into the town centre, which could do with some colour.
Steph talks about the great mood lift you get by going to the Baltic Triangle or Fabric District in Liverpool, which attracts people from all over to photograph it.
I also love the giant mural of Red Rum in Southport.
We have so much great heritage in St Helens – from our glassmaking to our mining and sport – especially rugby league – and lots of links to entertainment.
Why not bring the town centre to life by creating a series of giant murals highlighting the greats of St Helens past and present? You could get local schoolchildren involved in the project to teach them about local history; maybe the Star could run a vote about who or what readers would like to see featured? How about murals of Saints past and present; Alex Murphy, James Roby or Jodie Cunningham? There could be a huge image of the town’s motto Ex Terra Lucem. Or what about the great women’s footballer Lily Parr – there’s a statue of her in a museum in Manchester but as far as I’m aware nothing of note in the town of her birth.
Artists could paint a permanent tribute to the NHS in St Helens – a lasting reminder and thank you for their service from the people of St Helens and Knowsley. Or we could celebrate the rail history of Newton and Rainhill that’s been much talked about.
It’s just a thought. But an injection of colour and creativity could help drive people back into town.
And, in the short term, that’s definitely needed.
Art fan, details submitted
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