Former showroom in Chatteris has undergone a colourful transformation

ARTISTS have spent more than 1000 hours on giving the former Empress garage showroom at Chatteris a bright new face lift.

The premises were once used as a cinema, so the colourful mural includes stars of the screen including Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe and Laurel and Hardy.

The project was suggested by the committee of Chatteris in Bloom, in a bid to brighten up the area that is on the route for judges of the Town in Bloom competition.

Artists from Savage Studios and from within Chatteris in Bloom worked long hours to get the mural completed, painting around 800 square feet of boarding.

“Humour was very much in our minds while we were designing and painting,” said artist Yvonne Welsh. “There are several jokes in the scene, some more obscure than others.”

Other artists who gave their time freely to the project were Heather Kinnear, Marian Savill, Carol Eastall and Ormond Conolly. The project was co-ordinated by international artist, illustrator and author Richard Savage.

“It was a very great pleasure working on this project with such talented artists,” said Richard. “I hope the artwork adds a little to our community and that people will enjoy this light-hearted scene.”

Artist Heather Kinnear added: “Chatteris in Bloom has a mission to make Chatteris a brighter place to live, work and visit. We would like to thank our sponsors, Fenland District Council and Chatteris Town Council.”