Pupils at a school near Oswestry have celebrated 200 years of the modern railway with the unveiling of a new mural.
The artwork at Ysgol Y Waun in Chirk was created in collaboration with Welsh artist Rhiannon Roberts.
It was made possible through funding from the 3 Counties Connected Community Rail Partnership (CRP) and Transport for Wales as part of their Railway 200 Programme.
The impressive mural, measuring 1.2 meters by 2.4 meters, showcases the pupils’ unique perspective on their hometown of Chirk and its connection to railway heritage.
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Josie Rayworth, Community Rail Officer for the 3 Counties Connected CRP said: “It was a real privilege to be part of the mural project with Ysgol Y Waun. The school gave us such a warm welcome, and it was fantastic to meet the pupils and see their enthusiasm firsthand.
“I was really pleased to have a go myself, it was great fun to get involved! Huge thanks to Rhiannon Art for doing such an amazing job bringing the mural to life and helping celebrate Welsh culture and language, Railway 200, and our area's railway heritage.”
The artwork features Ysgol Y Waun at its heart, symbolising the central role of the school within the Chirk community.
Radiating outwards from this focal point are a diverse array of images, symbols and words representing what is special to the pupils about their local area. These elements, carefully chosen and creatively rendered, highlight Chirk’s culture, history and natural beauty, all interwoven with the significance of the railway.
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Nichola Morgan, Foundation Phase Lead at Ysgol Y Waun said: “We were absolutely delighted when Josie Rayworth from 3 Counties Connected CRP funded this incredible art project for us at Ysgol Y Waun. We are incredibly grateful that our Criw Cymraeg had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to collaborate with the talented artist Rhiannon Roberts.
"The outstanding mural, which beautifully depicts our local community and Welsh heritage, will be proudly displayed on our Foundation Phase site. A heartfelt thank you for turning our dream into a reality.”
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Adding a special touch to the project, the timber for the mural was kindly donated and delivered by the local Chirk branch of Builders Merchant, Jewsons.
This heartwarming contribution came about after Lee, a member of the Jewsons staff, discovered his former primary school was undertaking the artwork and enthusiastically offered their support.
Dr Louise Moon, Wales & Borders Railway 200 Programme Lead said: "This artwork creates a great legacy for the Railway 200 Programmes in Chirk and is a great example showcasing the connections between the railways, communities and our future generations."
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