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Wildlife mural unveiled at Southgate Community Centre, Bury St Edmunds




A new wildlife mural with the ‘wow’ factor has been unveiled outside a community hub in Bury St Edmunds as part of a £15,000 rejuvenation project.

Members from the local community and councillors Richard Rout and Patrick Chung were on hand last week to officially reveal the new artwork outside the Southgate Community Centre.

Andy Abbott, chairman for the centre, said: “We didn’t see it until it was unveiled and it was a shock. It’s got the wow factor.

Suffolk County Councillor Richard Rout and Cllr Patrick Chung unveiling the new mural at the Southgate Community Centre. Picture: Andy Abbott.
Suffolk County Councillor Richard Rout and Cllr Patrick Chung unveiling the new mural at the Southgate Community Centre. Picture: Andy Abbott.

“Children walk past it every day and it’s got the local community talking.

“And it’s only the first phase.”

The completed mural, created by artists Bella Reynolds and Lauren Bonner, is the first in a four-part ‘Environment and Wildlife initiative’ led by the community centre.

The idea for the community centre rejuvenation project came about after a conversation between centre members and Cllr Richard Rout two years ago. Picture: Andy Abbott.
The idea for the community centre rejuvenation project came about after a conversation between centre members and Cllr Richard Rout two years ago. Picture: Andy Abbott.

It is a joint collaboration with Greener Growth, a community interest company that takes neglected areas and makes them food-producing and biodiversity-enhancing.

The four-stage project, which was originally conceived around two years ago and will cost £15,000 in total, will also see a stone table, wildlife haven, stone garden area, and sanctuary garden all put in place.

Once the project is complete, Greener Growth will continue working with residents to maintain and develop the spaces.

Andy said it was hoped the initiative would have a ‘lasting effect and impact on the area for the benefit of the community and local residents’.

Read more: All the latest news from Bury St Edmunds