Young adults complete mural to brighten up
South Somerset Homes' garages
18 June 2003

The photo shows the group of young adults involved in the project with Lisa Brewchorne (Housing Assistant, SSH) and Perry Chapman (Somerset Rural Youth Project Worker and Artist) on the left and Val Male (Somerset Rural Youth Project Worker), Jo Cassidy (Artist) and Sue Parsons (Volunteer Youth Worker) on the right.

A group of young adults who live in Horton and Broadway near Ilminster have produced a colourful and bright mural, which has been mounted on the back of garages facing onto Horton Playing Fields. The garages belong to local housing association South Somerset Homes.

The group of young adults thought that the back of the garages were dull and uninteresting and decided to approach Volunteer Youth Worker Sue Parsons with an idea for a mural to both brighten up the garages and improve the view from the playing fields. Somerset Rural Youth Project then led the project with the help of local community artist Jo Cassidy. The whole project took three months to complete and was officially unveiled at the weekend.

The mural in its full glory mounted onto the back of the South Somerset Homes' owned garages.

Youth Worker and artist Perry Chapman said, “This project has taught this group of young adults much more than painting techniques. They have really led this project and have made important decisions all the way along. This is a brilliant example of how young people can work together to enhance their community and their environment and have good fun at the same time.”

Geoff Atkinson, Chief Executive at South Somerset Homes, said, “We are always keen to encourage young adults such as this group of individuals in projects like this. The mural is fantastic and looks superb now it has been mounted.”

The project would not have been made possible without the help and support of Horton Parish Council, Horton Playing Fields Committee, Broadway Hill Youth Group, Somerset Rural Youth Project, many of the local residents and South Somerset Homes for the garages!

Perry Chapman and Jo Cassidy covering up the mural before its official unveiling at the weekend.