A new community-led mural at the Talbot Village underpass in Wallisdown was officially unveiled by a group of residents, schoolchildren, as well as staff and students from both Arts University Bournemouth (AUB) and Bournemouth University (BU).
Entitled The Story of Where We Stand, the mural is a timeline honouring the rich heritage of Talbot Village. It begins with the vision of sisters, Georgina and Mary Anne Talbot, whose philanthropy in the mid-1800s led to the creation of farms, cottages and a pioneering rural community designed to support those in need.
The artwork moves through key moments in local history, including the WWI aerodrome, the region’s rare heathland wildlife, the construction of the school and church and the establishment and growth of the two world-class universities that shape the area today.
The mural was commissioned through CommUNIty, a collaboration between the Talbot Village Residents Association (TVRA) and BU, which aims to bring communities together through health and wellbeing. CommUNIty invited AUB, the Talbot Village Trust and CC Infrastructures to help bring the vision to life, with BCP Council also supporting the project.
Students from the BA (Hons) Graphic Design course at AUB designed and painted the vibrant mural in just two weeks.
“I am immensely proud of the student team who worked tirelessly on this project," comments Senior Lecturer Marten Sims. "They responded expertly to the live brief, taking on board dynamic feedback from a range of partners.
“This is their first time designing and painting a mural, and the install crew of students and staff have completely knocked it out of the park – in just two short weeks we’ve transformed this grimy subway into a celebration of Talbot Village history and cultural. Long may it brighten up people commutes!”
Jo Keeling, Chair of TVRA and founder of CommUNIty, adds, “This mural is so much more than decoration, it’s an illustrated history of our village and a tribute to the spirit of community that has defined Talbot Village for two centuries. It’s a beautiful, educational asset for the children, students and residents who walk through this subway every day and a wonderful example of what we can achieve when we work together.”
“The mural also showcases the immense artistic talent of the AUB BA (Hons) Graphic Design students. It’s a colourful and inspiring reminder of the creativity that thrives when local institutions come together.
“Thanks also to funding support from the Talbot Village Trust, practical assistance from the culture team at BCP Council and professional skills funded by CC Infrastructure the once-bleak underpass is now a bright, welcoming and meaningful public space a fitting gateway to the village, past and present.”
