How young offenders have transformed Leamington station subway
Leamington Station Manager Karen Bowden with Cllr. Richard Hobbs (W.C.C. portfolio holder for community safty) and Nigel Whyte (W.C.C. Project Manager). MHLC-02-10-12 mural unveiling OCT13
YOUNG offenders are among those whose work has transformed a once dingy and forbidding subway at Leamington station.
The murals were suggested as a means of decorating the bare walls of the underpass between Station Approach and the entrance after a spate of graffiti.
Warwickshire Youth Justice Service appointed 35 young people to produce 16 mural boards depicting historical events and figures from Leamington, with support and advice from Friends of Leamington Station and Leamington History Group.
Design and production began in February 2011 and continued until September, with young people working as part of a restorative justice project to give something back to their community.
History group chairman Alan Griffin said local history had been seen the preserve of the elderly for too long. He added: “The innovative mural project serves to demonstrate that young people are no less interested in those whose lives enriched Leamington in times past. We applaud the efforts of all the young people involved in the research and creation of the new murals which I know will generate great interest in visitors and residents alike.”
Warwick District Council funded a planning application and supplied materials, while Network Rail fixed the boards to the subway walls.
As part of the wider ‘love where you live’ campaign, the district council oversaw restoration around the station, including graffiti removal graffiti, repainting, cutting back overgrown hedges and replacing border fencing.
Cllr Michael Coker, who is responsible for environment and community protection policy, said: “This project is in keeping with all of our aims to prevent crime and public nuisance and prevent reoffending. The people who have been involved are to be congratulated on all of the work and time that they have donated to our community which will make walking through the underpass a pleasant experience.”
Cllr Richard Hobbs, responsible for community protection at Warwickshire County Council, said: “The project has enhanced the young people’s knowledge of local events, as well as raising self-esteem of the individuals involved. The final product looks fantastic and will stand as testament to their hard work for years to come.”
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Weather for Leamington
Sunday 26 May 2013
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Temperature: 6 C to 18 C
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