'Who's Hanging Out in Wish Park' - The 2021 Mural

Aim

Create another amazing mural in Wish Park, and so bring colour, enjoyment and social chatter to a neglected corner of the park

Mural 2020 the starting point - history of the park 

In October 2020 we launched the first Wish Park mural which depicts the history of the park - including the legendary Victorian circus elephant buried somewhere on the grassy lawns, the bi-planes and hot air balloons that once landed here. Right up to today with the footballers, cricketers and dog walkers who are park regulars.

Oh yes, not to forget Gerald - the legendary park keeper who is so vital to the wellbeing of our beautiful park. And of course, our thanks to the amazing NHS staff who have looked after our community over these 2 troublesome years.

Our Artists and Gardeners

Rebecca Angel and artists from the Red Herring group along with other local artists worked over 3 sunny weeks alongside our gardeners to create a vibrant, refreshed corner of our park which has brought joy and the broadest of  smiles to our community at a difficult time.

 We can't wait to come together once again in 2021!

'Who's hanging out in Wish Park 2021' - join us and get the bench filled!

This brings us bang up to date and the reason for our appeal!

 We have a sorry looking south facing wall which adjoins the 2020 mural that could do with the Rebecca Angel and Red Herring group magic.

 This year's theme is a long bench with park regulars of all ages, relaxed and chatting away on a sunny day. These are people and dogs who visit the park most days and whom the artists got to know well last year.  We aim to add long wooden planters beneath the mural which will contain coastal grasses that flutter in the breeze along with fragrant herbs to enhance the mural sensation. 

Our plan includes replanting of a scruffy patch of green alongside the mural. We are looking to plant shrubs with good  CO2 absorbency properties, wild flowers attractive to insects and a colourful selection of bulbs to welcome in spring 2022.

Involving young people in the mural

We are keen to have young people involved in this year's mural too. A kids art workshop is being held in the park on 29 May with some of the art being incorporated in the mural. Last year's workshop gave us a great set of images, including a giant ladybird, bugman and a surreal blue duck. 

This year's workshop will include a 'find the elephant' competition. Similar to an Easter egg hunt but with cuddly elephants to be won in a prize draw.

If you are in the park on May 29 why not come along and enjoy the fun at our free to enter event and who knows, you could go home with an elephant!

Finally, a big thank you to our headline sponsors - UK Power Networks, Chandlers, Cox & Co and the Wish Park Cafe.

Also to our Rewards sponsors - Quaff Wine Store, Rockwater, Rebecca Angel, Geoff Chipping and of course Lucy Small’s www.yogamusicflow.co.uk

Friends of Wish Park

This project successfully funded on 12th July 2021