New mural unveiled in Heckmondwike as part of work on new market square
A new events space in the town centre is due to open soon
Heckmondwike’s £1.5m ‘blueprint’ project is taking shape, as a unique mural that local schoolchildren helped to create, is installed at the new market square.
Over the past few months artist Emmeline North has carried out workshops with two local schools, Holy Spirit Primary School and Heckmondwike Grammar. The children were encouraged to take inspiration from science and to celebrate the work of Joseph Priestley, who was a local chemist in the 1700s, with their artistic creations informing the vibrant final design.
The installation is on show at New Square which is due to formally open in just a few weeks’ time, providing space for events and socialising. To mark the occasion, the council has planned an event for April 19 including the first local farmers’ market at their new location.
Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Finance and Regeneration, said: “The changes we’re making in our town centres – not just here in Heckmondwike but across Kirklees – are all about creating fantastic spaces that will survive and thrive for future generations.
“That’s why it’s so fantastic to see young children being a part of our plans to regenerate Heckmondwike, and to see their creativeness represented in the newly developed New Square for years to come.
“I very much look forward to seeing New Square open to the public in a few weeks’ time, and I hope local people will enjoy the new artwork and all that this space has to offer.”
Lewis Hemingway, Voice & Influence Worker said: “The young people involved in our sessions spent some time going through the work of Joseph Priestley. We focussed on the discovery of carbonation, which is part of the inspiration for the mural and then drew their ideas. Their drawings show how they imagined gas changing to liquid and full of colours they thought would represent each gas!”
Among the other features of the town’s Blueprint project which will span the next 10 to 15 years is the £10.5m bus station. Work began on this part of the scheme last October after several delays and soaring costs.
Elsewhere, new green space will be created at Market Square, and there will be improvements to Green Park and Algernon Firth Park, which will be linked by new pedestrian crossings. The town will also be better-connected to the greenway, with a wider access point at Station Road, and a new cycle lane brought in at Swallow Street and Beck Lane.
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