St Werburgh’s Road on the Manchester Metrolink lines out to East Didsbury and Manchester Airport has become the second stop to have its lift shaft brightened up with a mural with artwork depicting local wildlife having been unveiled. Commissioned by the Chorlton Civic Society the idea behind the mural is to brighten up the surrounds of the stop.
Designed and created by artist Ethan Lemon, who has also painted much admired fox and rabbit junction boxes outside Adastral House on Wilbraham Road, the mural features paintings of some of the animals and insects that live in the area, such as cats, squirrels, hedgehogs, birds, bees and butterflies as well as flowers that live nearby. It also features a historic map of Chorlton-cum-Hardy.
The mural was officially unveiled at the stop on Friday 20th September with Withington MP, Jeff Smith, doing the honours of cutting the ribbon. Also present were Ian Davies, TfGM Interim Network Director for Metrolink, Damian Chambas, Managing Director of KeolisAmey Metrolink and Carolyn Kagan, Chair of the Chorlton Civic Society, along with local councillors, residents and community group representatives.
Ian Davies commented: “We are delighted with the results of this striking mural. It adds a nice splash of colour to the network, and I’m sure passengers and passersby will enjoy it alongside the mural of Batman the cat at Chorlton.”
Funding for the mural came from TfGM, KAM and the Manchester City Council Neighbourhood Investment Fund for Chorlton Park.