This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities...
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT
    • Politics
    • Transport
    • Lifestyle
    • Community
    • Business
    • Crime
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Education
    • Sport
    • Harrogate
    • Ripon
    • Knaresborough
    • Boroughbridge
    • Pateley Bridge
    • Masham
  • What's On
  • Offers
  • Latest Jobs
  • Podcasts

Interested in advertising with us?

Advertise with us

  • News & Features
  • Your Area
  • What's On
  • Offers
  • Latest Jobs
  • Podcasts
  • Politics
  • Transport
  • Lifestyle
  • Community
  • Business
  • Crime
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Education
  • Sport
Advertise with us
Subscribe
  • Home
  • Latest News

We want to hear from you

Tell us your opinions and views on what we cover

Contact us
Connect with us
  • About us
  • Advertise your job
  • Correction and complaints
Download on App StoreDownload on Google Play Store
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Statement
  • Comments Participation T&Cs
Trust In Journalism

Copyright © 2020 The Stray Ferret Ltd, All Rights Reserved

Site by Show + Tell

Subscribe to trusted local news

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

  • Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.

Already a subscriber? Log in here.

19

Apr 2021

Last Updated: 19/04/2021
Community
Community

Bilton bridge mural aims to lift community spirit

by Thomas Barrett

| 19 Apr, 2021
Comment

0

The bridge was previously covered with tags and offensive graffiti. Artist Emma Garness hopes her colourful mural will become a beacon of positivity in the area.

pxl_20210419_085250168-1

Artist Emma Garness hopes her 'uplifting' mural on the Iron Bridge in Bilton will become a beacon of positivity in the area.

The bridge, which is on the edge of Bilton and crosses over towards Claro Road, was previously covered with tags and offensive graffiti.

The Beverley-based artist was commissioned to paint the mural by the owner of the bridge, Network Rail, and she's been putting the finishing touches to it today.

Emma asked local schools to contribute ideas, with children from Grove Road Community Primary School asking for a fox, and Woodfield Community Primary School an oak tree.

It also includes a cherry tree blossom and crocuses from the Stray.



She said:

"The mural includes elements from the community. I want it to be something they can be proud of. It was so dark and uninviting but the space has changed completely."






Read More:



  • ‘Don’t tarnish the whole of Bilton with anti-social behaviour’

  • ‘Joyous’ Knaresborough mural aims to lift spirits






There have been problems with anti-social behaviour on the bridge but Emma said art has the power to change a space that has had negative connotations.



She said:

"This was a dark and grimy bridge but art can change the atmosphere of somewhere."


Emma started working on the mural on Saturday and has been inundated with positive feedback from curious people crossing the bridge.

She added:

"People have said it's so uplifting. To see how an overnight change can give people such positive vibrations. It can drop pebbles that ripple to people's emotions."