Giant mural at Becklow Gardens

Tuesday August 24, 2010

Young people on the Becklow Estate have come up with a novel way of spending their summer holidays.

Instead of playing on their Playstation or kicking a ball around the park youngsters on the estate in Shepherds Bush have been painting a giant mural.

A large wall on the estate was white washed by criminals as part of their community-payback punishment and the youngsters, aged nine to 16 teamed up with a local artist to design and paint the mural.

Amongst other things, the mural features a giant caterpillar and an eagle with a microphone!

Cllr Greg Smith, cabinet member for residents' services saw the mural for himself when he visited Becklow Gardens recently. He said: "People sometimes complain that there is nothing to do during the summer holidays and this sort schemes is further proof that there are many things to do.

"Whether kids want to get involved with arts projects or football, cricket or joining one of our excellent cadet forces, there are plenty of things to do. I know that everyone who took part in the project had a thoroughly enjoyable time."

The mural painting is part of a week long of summer holiday events ran by the council, H&F Homes and Notting Hill Housing Group.

Other activities included a football tournament, circus skills, cookery demonstrations and a steel band workshop.