An Amersham primary school’s bright idea for a mural is now decorating a previously neglected underpass in the town.
The Bright Ideas Competition, run by the Amersham & Villages Community Board, invites local schools to submit a new project idea for the chance to receive a grant to help bring the idea to life. The board offers prizes to different age groups of £750 and £1,500.
The idea – which could be put forward by an individual pupil, whole class or school – was required to make a positive difference to the local community. The competition encourages schools to tackle one or more of the four priority areas of focus: supporting young people, health and wellbeing, enabling a safe and thriving community, and improving our environment.
It was St George’s Church of England Infant and Preschool in Amersham that impressed judges with their idea of regenerating the underpass between Raans Road and the Audi garage on White Lion Road. The underpass, which is the route for many children who walk to school, was poorly maintained and had become a target for vandalism, graffiti and littering. The underpass was also a regular source of complaints on FixMyStreet with residents complaining of broken glass and chronic dumping of waste.
The school proposed the use of vandalism-proof lighting, anti-graffiti coating, floor refurbishment, bins and artwork by a local artist to create a “bright and joyful way to school”.
The school had their vision transformed into a reality with a beautiful mural featuring a rural scene replete with a brilliantly colourful sky, a dog, a fire-breathing dragon, handprint flowers, a church and the message ‘Let your light shine’.
Michelle Catanach from Amersham Town Council and Bizi Boyd-Hall from the Forest School Discovery Sprouts helped the school to realise their design, while Transport for London, which owns the underpass, permitted the project.
Community Board manager Lizzie Wright said: “The Community Board were thrilled to see the fantastic ideas being put forward and even more so to see them being delivered.
“We hope that this project will have a big impact on the residents, and encourage many more parents and pupils to utilise the parking offered to them at King’s Church Amersham, and walk through the newly painted underpass on their way to school, enjoying the fantastic design.”
To find out more about Amersham & Villages Community Board, please visit their webpage.
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