Mosaic to tackle graffiti in South Molton

AN AMBITIOUS idea to combat graffiti and create a new tourist attraction for South Molton is gathering momentum.

Local man Mark Williamson wants to cover the wall around South Molton Swimming Pool with a huge mosaic.

He will need to get the backing of the trustees who run the pool as well as planning permission. But his idea has already been welcomed by many in the community.

And Mr Williamson is not daunted by the enormity of the task; the mosaic would cover 227.5sq m, making it the largest fixed mosaic in the UK.

He said: "The larger the project, the more people can get involved."

He described the current condition of the graffiti-covered wall as an "eyesore".

He added: "If we paint it, it is just giving the graffiti artists a blank canvas again.

"I am looking at doing a history timeline of South Molton, viewed through sepia photos, then black and white and then full colour.

"The frieze around the top will be paid for by businesses who want their names in mosaic.

"Between each of the story board panels and right the way around the bottom we are going to put the names of the children who have participated in the design and build of the whole thing."

He predicts it will become a tourist attraction in its own right.

The whole project will be done on a volunteer basis and he is setting up a committee to progress it.

Mr Williamson added: "If we can get this project off the ground with the trustees' agreement, it will be great, not just for local businesses but for the whole of the community."

● For more information e-mail moltonmosaic@tiscali.co.uk