A vibrant new 100-foot mural has taken shape along the Strawberry Line in Winscombe, thanks to a collaboration between North Somerset Council, the Strawberry Line Society, local artists, schools, and community members.
The mural celebrates the rich heritage, biodiversity, and sustainable future of this local route. The mural was commissioned by the Strawberry Line Society and made possible with funding from Burnham and Weston Energy Community Interest Company (CIC), and North Somerset Council’s allocation of the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. The project also received generous material donations from Crown Paints and Wickes community fund.
Tomasin Cuthbert from Soap Soup Arts and local artist and sculptor Alice Cunningham have led on community engagement for the project. Soap Soup Arts is a CIC that creates professional touring Theatre and creative experiences to local spaces, and Alice manages and paints mural projects both in the UK and abroad.
The artists worked closely with local schools and residents to gather ideas, stories, and artworks rooted in the themes of sustainability, local wildlife, and the historical heritage of The Strawberry Line.
A highlight of the project was the Family Paint Day on Saturday 17 May, which brought together school children who had participated in earlier engagement workshops, along with families and community members who helped bring the mural to life with their own brushstrokes and creativity.
The completed mural now stands as a colourful tribute to the shared connection between people and place and is a lasting legacy for Winscombe and the wider Strawberry Line community to enjoy for years to come.
Councillor Mike Solomon, North Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Open Spaces, said:
This project is a wonderful example of how art can bring our community together, celebrate our rich local heritage, and highlight the importance of sustainability and biodiversity.
It’s fantastic to see local schools and residents getting involved to leave such a positive and lasting mark on the Strawberry Line.
Mick Fletcher, the Strawberry Line Society Chair, said:
This project reflects the diversity of activity and users along the Strawberry Line path throughout the seasons, while engaging the local community to increase awareness and encourage future generations to appreciate the landscape we live in.
Community art has transformed a dreary slab of concrete into something vibrant and meaningful.
This summer, Soap Soup Arts will deliver a series of arts and crafts workshops for all ages, and a pop-up choir as part of a mini-festival. The festival culminates in an afternoon of free activities, including environmental crafts, live music, storytelling, a parade and a village feast.
The parade will travel along the line from the new mural, and end at Winscombe Station.