As part of the Our Year 2024 Crossings and Gateways Programme, Edgelands Arts created a new mural at Fitzwilliam Station.

The Friends of Fitzwilliam Station were supported with a Culture Grant and worked with community arts organisation Edgelands Arts to develop a new mural for the bridge at Fitzwilliam Station. The design for A Bridge Through Time mural was developed through a series of 12 public engagement sessions, including consultations, workshops and outdoor family walks through the local area.

Edgelands Arts worked with the local community and pupils from Fitzwilliam Primary School and King’s Meadows Academy. Over the engagement period, 6 themes emerged that the community wanted to include in the artwork: farming, coal mining, sport, leisure, railways and social life.

Within those themes people shared their stories and memories of life in the two villages. The final mural is an exploration of the history of the communities of Kinsley and Fitzwilliam, and the importance of the local countryside and outdoor spaces. The 6 themes represent a timeline for the communities, from early settlement through to the present day.

The design includes silk paintings of plants that can be found in the Fitzwilliam County Park throughout the seasons, panoramas of views from the Country Park, silhouettes of people representing activities, both past and present. The artwork is displayed permanently across the footbridge over 12 vinyls.

“It brought different people together to collaborate on something to be proud of. This experience created some very positive memories in the village. It respectfully looked back at Fitzwilliam’s heritage and enabled people to remember and celebrate it.” – Friends of Fitzwilliam Station