An outdoor mosaic showcasing the history of Coalville is now on display at the town’s local library.
Leicestershire County Council has worked with more than 100 children, young people, parents and carers and 10 community groups to celebrate the town’s rich heritage, made possible thanks to funding from Arts Council England.
Featuring a tree made up of 68 leaves created by local people, the mosaic highlights Coalville’s substantial contribution to the mining, quarrying, textiles and engineering industries as well as its inclusion in the National Forest, connecting it to the natural world.
A series of workshops with groups, including library users, young carers, children in care, local primary school children from Belvoirdale Primary and Forest School and Coalville CAN were held to bring the project to life.
Local Creative Practitioner Llynda Baugh designed and created the mosaic, drawing on conversations with local groups including Coalville History Society, her knowledge of the area including familial links, and ideas generated within the workshops.
Councillor Kevin Crook, cabinet member for libraries and heritage, said: “Providing communities with creative outlets is vital for social development and understanding.
“The number of people that have participated in this project and the final outcome really does speak for itself. The finished mosaic on the side of the library looks fantastic and I’d encourage anyone who is in the area to pay a visit to the library to see the scale of the hard work that’s been put in.
"It’s a real community effort and shows how proud Coalville people are of their local area.”
More information about the project can be found on the Culture Leicestershire website.