News / kingswood
Neighbourhood gets its own ‘coat of arms’ in stunning new mural
The rich and varied history of Two Mile Hill is depicted in a vibrant new mural spanning walls on both sides of the road.
A collaboration by street artists Andy Council and Acerone, the piece on Broadfield Avenue and Waters Road has been painted to celebrate the strength of community in the neighbourhood on the edge of Kingswood.
It features a ‘coat of arms’ for Two Mile Hill and depicts its industrial heritage and wildlife, as well as local heroes, including an image of Mars as a nod to Kingswood-born planetary scientist Colin Pillinger, who is famed for work to launch his Beagle 2 Mars probe.
Magpies fly proud at the top of the mural, which is a 20-minute walk from nature reserve Magpie Bottom, and horses portray the industrial heritage, as well as links to John Wesley, who used to preach on horseback in the area.
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“It’s involved a lot of community engagement,” said Andy, pausing in his work on the second part of the mural on Waters Road by the Bourne Christian Centre.
“We get all the ideas on paper and then think of what really speaks about the area, what defines the area.
“There were all the different elements; with reference to local history and wildlife and buildings, so we decided to do a kind of coat of arms of Two Mile Hill.”
Andy Council says it was great to work with the community on the new Two Mile Hill mural
Andy and Acerone – also known as Luke Palmer – are regular collaborators and have previously worked together on a street art makeover of Bristol’s official coat of arms.
Commissioned by Bristol City Council, their latest mural is one of the activities under the City Centre & High Streets Recovery & Renewal Programme, jointly funded by the council and West of England Combined Authority’s ‘Love our High Streets’ project.
Two Mile Hill was one of nine high streets earmarked as priority areas to receive part of a £4.7m recovery package for Bristol’s high streets and city centre.
Andy added: “Weather aside, it’s been really nice coming up here and chatting to people about the area and the response has been so good.”
The mural celebrates the community, history and nature of Two Mile Hill
The new artwork stretches along Waters Road and Broadfield Avenue
All photos: Ellie Pipe
Read next:
- Bristol’s coat of arms given street art makeover
- Hunt begins for burial site of 130-year-old ‘Kingswood elephant’
- Upfest needs to raise £250,000 to stage festival in 2024
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