Mural at Welwyn Garden City school restored

MURALS created 60 years ago for the opening of a school have been given a “much-needed” facelift.

The three compositions, painted by deceased artist Patricia Tew, were designed as part of an initiative to encourage young artists tell the story of Russian fairytales.

They have been on the walls of Templewood School, in WGC, since it was built in 1950 (its official opening was in March 1951).

And to mark the anniversary of the Pentley Park school, a parent of three children who have studied there, Susan Hitchin, decided the works of art deserved restoration and made a successful appeal for funding in the Welwyn Hatfield Times in June.

Susan, who lives opposite in Coneydale, said she was delighted to see the works back in their former glory and officially unveileved to the public at a ceremony last week.

“The painstaking restoration and conservation was carried out over two weeks of August,” she said. “They must have something of their look when they were completed 60 years ago.

“The murals have entertained children and caused debate for 60 years and hopefully the restoration will mean that generations more children can enjoy and debate these unique and wonderful art works.”

The article, which featured in the WHT in the summer, attracted the attention of county councillor Richard Smith, who helped with funding for the renovation through his locality budget.

Other funding came from a local trust fund and members of Patricia Tew’s family, who attended the ceremony.