WALKERS on a rural route in North Somerset can now enjoy a colourful 100ft-long mural as they make their way.
The new, vibrant creation runs along the Strawberry Line in Winscombe, and comes after a collaboration between North Somerset Council (NSC), the Strawberry Line Society, artists, schools, and the community.
The mural celebrates the rich heritage, biodiversity, and sustainable future of the route, and was commissioned by the Strawberry Line Society with funding from Burnham and Weston Energy Community Interest Company (CIC), and NSC’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Materials were also donated by Crown Paints and Wickes community fund.
Tomasin Cuthbert, from Soap Soup Arts, and artist and sculptor Alice Cunningham led community engagement for the project.
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Soap Soup Arts is a CIC that creates professional touring theatre and creative experiences, while Alice manages and paints mural projects in the UK and abroad.
The artists worked closely with schools and residents to gather ideas, stories, and artworks rooted in the themes of sustainability, local wildlife, and the historical heritage of The Strawberry Line.
A highlight of the project was the Family Paint Day on Saturday, May 17, which brought together school children who had participated in earlier engagement workshops, along with families and community members who helped bring the mural to life with their own brushstrokes and creativity.
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Councillor Mike Solomon, cabinet member for culture, leisure and open spaces at NSC, said: “This project is a wonderful example of how art can bring our community together, celebrate our rich local heritage, and highlight the importance of sustainability and biodiversity.
“It’s fantastic to see local schools and residents getting involved to leave such a positive and lasting mark on the Strawberry Line.”
Mick Fletcher, Strawberry Line Society chair, said: “This project reflects the diversity of activity and users along the Strawberry Line path throughout the seasons, while engaging the local community to increase awareness and encourage future generations to appreciate the landscape we live in. Community art has transformed a dreary slab of concrete into something vibrant, and meaningful.”
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