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Mural brings splash of colour to Leysdown seafront on the Isle of Sheppey

05:00, 10 July 2022

One of Kent's seaside resorts is getting a make-over, thanks to a mum and her daughter.

Artist Julie Bradshaw-Drury, 64, and her daughter Anna Piles, 39, from Sittingbourne are brightening up the sea wall at Leysdown on the Isle of Sheppey.

Emma Dunnicliffe, left, from Big Local Eastern Sheppey with mother and daughter artists Julie Bradshaw-Drury and Anna Piles on Leysdown Promenade
Emma Dunnicliffe, left, from Big Local Eastern Sheppey with mother and daughter artists Julie Bradshaw-Drury and Anna Piles on Leysdown Promenade

It's all part of a £1,000 project funded by Big Local Eastern Sheppey to add some sparkle to the Island's top tourist attraction just before the school summer holidays.

Youngsters from nearby St Clement's Church of England Primary School helped design some of the nine panels which are being painted along the promenade.

Julie, who lives in Warden Bay, said: "The pupils came up with some brilliant ideas. We have picked three to go on the wall. They all feature local wildlife, like birds, frogs, bees and butterflies, which visitors are likely to see during a stay on Sheppey."

The winning designs came from Lexi, eight, and nine-year-olds Pearl and Maisey.

Panels facing the beach will feature a seal, sea birds and an underwater scene. A sign giving details of the animals will be added later.

Mother and daughter artists Julie Bradshaw-Drury and Anna Piles on Leysdown Promenade
Mother and daughter artists Julie Bradshaw-Drury and Anna Piles on Leysdown Promenade
Designs on Leysdown sea wall inspired by Maisey, nine, of St Clement Primary School
Designs on Leysdown sea wall inspired by Maisey, nine, of St Clement Primary School
Work in progress on the promenade at Leysdown
Work in progress on the promenade at Leysdown

Emma Dunnicliffe, 33, Big Local's project coordinator, said: "We are super excited about this project. It has taken a year of planning. It's great to finally see it happening."

Anna and Julie, who also created the murals at Queenborough Harbour and have been working on projects at Milton Creek Coastal Park and Milton Court Primary Academy, are using acrylic paint which will be covered with anti-graffiti varnish to protect the pictures.

Anna added: "Everyone has been very complimentary so far and some have even offered to donate money to get the rest of the wall covered."

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