Town rallies to cover 'eyesore' building
A town is rallying together to cover an "eyesore" building with a mural in time for its biggest event of the year.
The former Budgens store in Ludlow has six boards covering the length of the building, as it will eventually be redeveloped.
But a community project has been launched to transform the boards into a piece of art during the Ludlow Food Festival next month, when thousands will descend on the town.
Councillor for Ludlow North Andy Boddington said: "Almost the whole town is getting excited about this. We are working flat out to get all the elements of the project in place in time.
"The biggest challenge is to agree on a design for the artwork. Fortunately, we have a great team and new, talented people are joining every day.
"I am amazed at how much artistic talent there is in Ludlow, including people who have experience painting murals.
"People who want to join or are just interested in the project can follow us on Facebook. Search for LAMP – Ludlow Art Mural Project."
Councillor Boddington said the mural would be in place for about 18 months.
"The building is to be redeveloped but it will be some time before that happens," he added.
"Thanks to the owner we are now looking at having all those ugly boards painted up as a giant mural during the Ludlow Food Festival. The project will be designed to encourage people to stop, stare and applaud.
"We have less than a month to get this project together.
"I am not an artist. I can’t even paint the walls of my flat. I haven’t a clue where to start on a mural.
"But we are a town full of people with talent. The developer has agreed to fund the project. I am now working on the technical stuff on highways, safety and the like.
"We have the goodwill and an offer of funding. Young people must be involved. But we have a very short time to make this project happen."
A Ludlow Art Mural Project meeting will be held at 11.15am in the bar of the Rose and Crown pub in Ludlow on Saturday.
