Work is under way on a mural in Blaenavon celebrating the town’s floral heritage, and members of the community are invited to get involved.
The mural will be painted on the outside of Botanic Possessions florists in Broad Street as part of a new mural trail.
Business owner and local resident Kate Hiscock said: “When we bought the building, I knew I wanted to do something with the outside that would make people stop and look.
“Blaenavon has so much to offer, and I wanted to create something that would draw people into the area while celebrating something beyond our industrial heritage.
“The mural started as an idea, and it’s fantastic to now be able to develop it as a community project.”
The design has been inspired by the history of Blaenavon Flower Park, which opened in 1921 thanks to public donations.
Kate added: “The story of Blaenavon Flower Park is a story of local people coming together to create something beautiful for their town.
“It feels incredibly fitting that more than 100 years later, we’re bringing that same community spirit back to life through this mural. We’re not just celebrating Blaenavon’s history — we’re creating something new with the people who live here.”
The mural, funded by Kate and Torfaen Council, will form part of The Light We Carry mural trail in Torfaen and Blaenau Gwent, which will symbolise guidance, warmth, hope and how local heritage is carried forward and shared.
Cllr Joanne Gauden, Executive Member for Economy, Skills and Regeneration, said: “This mural is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the rich heritage that has shaped our community while creating something inspiring for future generations.
“It is about honouring our past, strengthening community pride in the present, and looking ahead with optimism as we create a lasting legacy that everyone can feel part of.”
The mural is being painted by artist Danielle Harrington. Members of the public are invited to stop by and watch, and workshop sessions will also be held with local groups.
A second community mural is planned for the Castle Hotel in Blaenavon. There are also two new murals in Pontypool Indoor Market, and a third outdoor mural is planned for Clarence Street, led by ArtREGEN Pontypool.
The Light We Carry mural trail is part of a campaign to improve town centres, alongside Towns Together clean-ups. The first Towns Together event will take place in Pontypool town centre on Friday 25 September and Saturday 26 September. The next clean-up will be in Blaenavon, where residents can vote for the areas they would like to see tackled.
