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New mural at railway station celebrates area’s ‘mini beasts’
A train masquerading as a colourful great crested newt features on a new mural unveiled at Ashley Down station on Friday, to mark one year since the station’s opening.
The mural, painted by artist Andy Council, shows a green train nestled within the amphibian’s body, with buildings from the area, cyclists and walkers making up fringes of the creature.
Metro mayor Helen Godwin, Bristol Rovers’ mascots Captain Gas and Irene, and several city councillors gathered near the station’s entrance to unveil the new mural, celebrating one year of Bristol’s newest railway station and two centuries of modern railway.
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Ed Plowden, James Crawford, Heather Mack and Helen Godwin joined artist Andy Council to celebrate the new mural at Ashley Down station
“I decided to base, after a lot of research, the mural on the mini beasts in the area, due to the fact that nearby you’ve got the allotments and you’ve got the nature reserve up in Purdown”, said Andy while speaking to Bristol24/7.
Other than the great crested newt, small butterflies made of buildings populate the mural painted across a long stretch of wall on Concorde Way. A few hot air balloons can also be spotted cruising around, capturing the true essence of Bristol.
Godwin sees the station as a “really important” step in building a true suburban rail network through Bristol.
She continued: “I’ve been talking a lot about trying to build a true suburban rail network so that people can really kind of consider rail as their route to work or route to school in a way that is trustworthy and obviously safe as well.
“We have got Ashley Down open, but we’re looking next at Filton North, Henbury and at Portishead and Pill. Then we’ve got other stations that we’re looking to bring forward as well over the next few years.”
Andy was chosen to paint the mural after a competition spearheaded by Bristol City Council, Great Western Railway (GWR) and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) was announced in May.
The mural has been funded by a £3,000 grant from GWR’s Customer and Community Improvement Fund and an additional £1000 received in funding from WECA. The artists were judged by a panel, which included Green councillors for Bishopston and Ashley Ward, Emma Edwards and James Crawfrod.
Edwards said: “Myself and councillor Crawford were proud to be part of the judging panel to transform this previously graffiti-prone wall into what is now a vibrant tribute to our community’s heritage and commitment to sustainable transport.
“A huge thank you to local artist Andy Council, whose impressive final work reflects the multicultural and multigenerational nature of our community. Also to Severnside Community Rail Partnership, as well as everyone who contributed.”
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All photos: Karen Johnson
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