Page 21 - link magazine

Swirdcr wide 21

Town centre history gradually fades into memory
The Golden Lion mural, an important but seemingly forgotten part of Swindon's history, will soon disappear unless a major sponsor is found to
save it.
The work of art can be found on Ken's work was created when In 1981 West Swindon photog- past. Itshould be preserved and I'd
the side of a house on Fleming Swindon had Britain's most impres- rapher Tony Leggett had the fore- li ke to think business in the town
Way and Corporation Street: see it sive collection of muras which sight to create the most compre- would sponsor a restoration."
before it flakes away. or the owner became a tourist attraction. hensive record available of all the
decides to redecorate the wall. They were an important feature murals in town.
The evocative picture was cre- of Thamesdown Council's public He said he was saddened by the
ated by Swindon artist Ken White art policy in the 1970s. However state of the Golden Lion Mural. "It ' OAK
in 1975 to mark the centenary of this form of social art went out of is a fantastic landmark which has
poet Alfred Williams. He was com- fashion and Swindon Ccuncil no so much atmosphere of Swindon's "=
missioned to repaint it in 1983. longer supports
The eerie scene evokes the 1904 the maintenance The Golden Lion mural ^ y
photo of the canal that ran through of its murals, most in June
the town centre and the Golden of which have
Lion bridge installed by the GWR. been painted over.
Above, the bridge in 1904.
Tony Leggett's 1981
record of the Golden Below, Ken White holding an ad-
vertisement which appeared in the
Lion mural
Sunday Times colour magazine in
the late 1980s describing Swin-
don's tourist attraction

for lull programme uetaiis Sponsored by
wind ,... , peso. REcKerr . Swmnon ^o S IN0C ARTSCAPE
Information Centre: 01793 530328 BENCKisER abaouchcounCa