KINDNESS IN COLOUR

The old grocers’ shop on the corner of Bridge Gate has sat empty for several years. Perched in at the heart of the town, Holt’s shop is a fixture of every visit to Hebden Bridge. Whether headed to school, the park or running along the main road, locals and visitors pass by each day, so it was no surprise when the town’s social media group started complaining about the shop’s appearance.

It had gradually fallen into disrepair following a brief occupation by squatters last winter, and graffiti artists were practising their crudest designs on the plywood covering the windows. It was a relief to many when local artist Sara Abbott decided to brighten up the shop in March this year with a mural.

“When I offered to create a mural on Holt’s shop, I’d initially thought of a ‘Happy Valley’ theme, that being very current at the time,” Sara explains. “However, the controversy that could have arisen over such an image led me to re-think, and it was then that Rita Hendy came to mind, and her work, known by the majority, recognized by most and just downright lovely, became the obvious choice,” Sara explains.

Local artist Rita Hendy of Doris at The Lofty Perch, who is well-loved for her paintings imagining the lives and adventures of Hebden Bridge’s waterfowl, came up with the design for the mural. At the same time, Sara and Leanne Parkin tasked themselves with bringing the design to life.

“I’ve never met Rita in person, although we share online chats often, so I wasn’t too surprised she had two perfect designs, incorporating her spray-painting feathered friends up her sleeve. It was a no-brainer.”

The mural brought back to life the old greengrocers and was perfect for welcoming visitors to the town. When a tide of pink spray paint swept through and disrupted the mural in August, everyone was keen to see it restored. Sara, also planning a second mural on the building, decided to come to the rescue.

When a tide of pink spray paint swept through and disrupted the mural in August, everyone was keen to see it restored.

“A rainy summer and my busy schedule had meant that the painting of the second wall was delayed for months. However, I’d saved paints mixed from the creation of the first one in readiness, so it was relatively easy for me to touch things up and then being there with all my paints and a ladder, it was the perfect opportunity to get on with the Bridge Gate side of the shop. If you look, there’s always a positive to be found in negative things. Thanks to the tagger for making me get on with it!” Sara smiles.

You can see other murals by Sara outside the Hebden Bridge RSPCA shop the Todmorden RSPCA shop and she has recently painted the Play Barge on Haugh Road, Todmorden, with local native wildlife for everyone to enjoy. sara-abbott.com

NorthernLife Sep/Oct 23