A beautiful new mural depicting the flora and fauna of Keynsham has been unveiled on Monday 12 February at the local station.
The piece was developed as part of a scheme devised by station volunteers and Keynsham in Bloom to improve a strip of land on one of the platforms. To increase biodiversity at the station, volunteers have planted wildflower seeds to produce the hardy plants needed for the trackside environment.
The new mural – created by artist Nick Halahan, aka Olas Arts – sits on a large concrete wall and serves as an eye-catching backdrop to the newly cultivated area.
The project was part-funded by Great Western Railway’s Station Adoption Fund, Community Rail Network’s Small Grants Fund and Keynsham in Bloom, with support from Severnside Community Rail Partnership (CRP).
Faye Keane, Community Development Officer at Severnside CRP, said: “The Keynsham Volunteers are a great example of community rail spirit, taking pride in their station and working with the station team and wider community to give the station a real sense of personality. They sought out Nick after seeing his impressive work at a local park, showing good initiative and bringing some cohesion to the local area.
“We are thrilled with the outcome and look forward to seeing what they have up their sleeves in the near future.”
Artist Nick Halahan, a.k.a Olas Art, said: “I enjoyed the challenge of painting so much detail on a relatively small scale, using only spray cans. The aim was to celebrate and capture the exotic beauty and history that exists in Keynsham wildlife.
“Right on our doorstep we share the rivers and bushes with animals and birds, like the Kingfisher, that are 30 million years older than humanity and with ammonites found around this area going back 200 million years! Raising awareness of its beauty will hopefully encourage its protection also.”
Ann Jenner, Great Western Railway’s delivery manager, said: “We’re really pleased to support the station volunteers and Keynsham in Bloom through our Station Adoption Fund. Nick has produced a striking piece of artwork which will really help to brighten up this part of the station.
“Our station volunteers do a fantastic job to provide a welcoming environment for customers and it’s very important to us, as a company, to support our local communities with projects that help to generate pride in the local area.”
Keep up to date with future news, project and events from Severnside CRP via their website.
