Saturday, May 10, 2014

Mural Project, Now Then, A Town With A View, Oakham 2014



Mural Project, Now Then, A Town With A View, Oakham 2014

This morning I attended the launch of this project in Victoria Hall Oakham.

I am pleased I did as I now have a better understanding of the concept and
the anticipated end result.

I was asked if I was going to contribute a photograph the answer is no.

To many times Oakham Town Council has asked for my photographs only
to have their use blocked by nasty old farts on the council.

There won't be a shortage of contributions.



The Artist Monica Fernandez has set up a Facebook Group which is now open
to all.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/524177541025359/

The cost of the project in my view is disgusting but then show me a Arts Council
and Council funded Art project that is not. Public money easy come easy go.


Some people came in to give photographs and other historic documents, others
to complain about the name given to the project Now Then, refering to Jimmy Saville.
Personally I was more interested in the "A Town With A View" because apart from
Brook Hill there is no views and as for the town politics and planning for the future
there is no vision. The artist said she hoped to encourage people to have a view or
opinion about Oakham's Past, Present and Future, I wished her luck as most people
with any opinion in this town are normally silenced.

Looking at an old documen,  Peter Lawson joked nothing much has changed since the 1800's
they held the same sort of events in Victoria Hall which were organised by the same people, committee people. I could not agree more. Although there is evidence that real lords and ladies once attended these
small functions.






Some images brought in this morning the original small Boots

The Petrol Station selling both Shell and BP
I am told the building on the corner is one of Oakham's Gaols
This is the location in Gaol Street which is home to the
Co-op building on which the mural will be fixed.



Whittle & Son Family Grocers & Provision Merchants

I like the short easy to remember telephone number Oakham 26
My families first number was 4980



Hambleton Food was donated by a sponsor