A huge community mosaic in Ham, Richmond

In community partnership with: Grey Court School, the Ham and Petersham Youth Club and Richmond and Twickenham Primary Care Trust.

Hundreds of local Ham and Petersham residents have joined together to create a really beautiful uplifting piece of work

The residents, of whom 480 were local children, worked on the mosaic for five months in the Ham and Petersham Youth Club. Children as young as three and adults as old as eighty three got involved. The picture they created illustrates the natural beauty of the area and has been dedicated to the memory of local young people who have lost their lives in recent years, especially the late Cally Simpson, a pupil of Grey Court and a youth club member, who died in a road accident.

The artwork itself covers a wall that was once a complete graffiti eyesore. It is now a very beautiful reminder of what a community can do if everyone pulls together in the same direction.

The project was led by artists Howard Grange and Miriam Zadik Gold with much appreciated help from the Save the World team. The project was overseen by Bernadette Vallely. SWC worked closely with Lucy Byrne of the Richmond and Twickenham primary care trust all through the project.

The completed mosaic mural is on permanent display overlooking the Ham Youth Club off Ashburnham Road. Follow this newslink for more pictures.

Thanks to our sponsors and supporters: The Community Safety Project, Richmond Housing Partnership, Richmond Parish Lands Charity, the Civic Pride Fund, Family Learning and Richmond and Twickenham Primary Care Trust.

Comments about the work

"The wall is lovely! A bright, cheerful addition to the area! Thankyou." J. Geory

"It changes the area so much, looks brilliant, really different, nice idea." Freddie Allan

"Absolutely gorgeous, just what Ham needs." Mrs Andrews

"Completely worth all the effort and has convinced all the critics. We must do more of these." Daniel Williams

"I think this was a fantastic idea and has really brought the young people and the community together, I hope it continues. Well done to everyone." Mark Rodger (YMCA Youth Worker)

"Dear Howard and Miriam, thankyou so much for allowing us to co-operate with doing the mosaic, you need to come again!" Loads of love, Laura (AKA Dot) and Katie (AKA Cotton)