Southall Grand Union canal mural opening event
Sat 27 Aug 2022
The purpose of the community led Mural Project was to transform a derelict entrance to the Grand Union Canal, near the Army Reserve Centre.
It is an area that had been neglected for many years and has attracted much anti-social behaviour.
Ealing Council leader Peter Mason tweeted “A wet but wonderful morning unveiling the new mural, achieved through the willpower of a community coming together, on the Grand Union Canal in Southall.”
“History, heritage, identity and pride all represented through community art.”
Ealing Mayor Councillor Mohinder Kaur Midha was present at the opening.
Canal & River Trust London & South East tweeted “Great to see another fantastic piece of community art unveiled on the #GrandUnionCanal at Bankside, #Southall.”
“Our team braved torrential rain yesterday to join local people, project partners and VIPs for litter picking and a launch event. #OurSouthall #HappyPlaceByWater”
LAGER Can tweeted “Beautiful mural by the beautiful #GrandUnionCanal. Let’s all help to look after this lovely space.”
Chaudhrys TKC said “We provided support to commission this mural on the sidings of the Hayes Bridge” as a “part of a corporate social responsibility”. This was an area that was riddled with prostitution and drugs.
“The mural depicts all the quintessential identities of Southall”. The famous Chaudhry's TKC "Tiara" bus is on the mural.
“Proud to part of the fabric and history of Southall.”
£7,414 was raised from 27 backers in June 2020 on Spacehive for the #OurSouthall Canal Mural.
The major funders listed were:
- Canal and River Trust - £2,645
- Ealing Council - £2,594
- Dormers Wells Ward Forum - £1,000
Some of the major costs of the project were:
- Artist Fee - £3,500 (50%)
- Artist Assistant - Street Artist - £1,000 (13%)
- Paint and Materials - £800 (11%)
- Launch Event- £500 (7%)
The project was delivered by OurSouthall (#OurSouthall - Shaping the Future) with the help of its supporters and volunteers who include:
- Ealing Council
- Canal and River Trust
- Pure Catering & Services Ltd
- St George (Berkeley Group)
- LED
- Chaudhrys TKC
- Southall Community Alliance
- Southall Transition
- Lager Can
Some of the objectives listed were:
- invite the community to the unveiling event with speakers on the history and Eco-system of the Grand Union Canal
- Carry out a launch/unveiling party for everyone
Were you invited?
Did you know about it?
Was it an inclusive or exclusive event?
What do you think of the art work?
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