Market mural celebrates town's railway heritage

A mural which celebrates a town's railway heritage has been unveiled at a market.

Artist Harriet Colours said she had been inspired to create the mural by stories from people living and working in Normanton, near Wakefield.

The artwork, featuring steam trains and railway platforms, has gone on display at the newly refurbished Normanton Market.

Ms Colours said it was a pleasure to bring voices to life on the wall, "turning a shared space into a meaningful celebration of the town's important rail history".

Ms Colours said: "It has been an honour to get to know so many people within the community of Normanton, to create this mural, and learn from their stories and values."

Hannah Appleyard, Wakefield Council's cabinet member for culture, leisure and sport, said it was "fantastic" that residents, businesses and community groups had helped to create this "amazing new public art".

"It brightens up the entire building into a colourful work of art. I hope that every time they walk past, it makes them feel proud of the place they live," she added.

A council spokesperson said the mural had been painted using lime-based paints which absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) through a natural carbonation process.

This process helped to improve air quality and reduce a building's carbon footprint, they added.

The artwork is part of the Crossings and Gateways mural programme produced by the council in partnership with Wakefield-based creative organisation, Beam.

It is the second mural to be installed so far as part of the project.

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