Cat and mouse murals painted at park to attract public

Chloe Hughes
BBC News
Tim Robottom Two filled in brown brick archways that have been painted on. The mural on the left is a ginger and white cat that appears to be climbing out of the bricks. It has green eyes and there are some leaves painted next to it. On the right is a painting of a grey mouse, with light shining on it. The mouse is standing in a desert-like landscape with hills and rocks in the background.Tim Robottom
The murals were inspired by the artist's childhood

Two murals have been painted at a Kenilworth play area to attract more people to the space.

The paintings of a cat and mouse are on bricked-up arches at Glendale Avenue pocket park and were done by Brink Contemporary Arts, a Midlands-based street art group.

Warwick District Council has also installed new play equipment including sensory boards, swings and climbing frames.

Tim Robottom, curator and designer at Brink, said the murals were inspired by elements of his childhood.

"Growing up in Kenilworth we knew all of the parks and fields where we could explore, play and climb trees," he said.

"I didn't watch much television but I always loved the cartoons like Tom & Jerry and Scooby Doo.

"I preferred to be outside playing hide and seek with friends, netting sticklebacks in the brook or collecting conkers."

Tim Robottom The two murals in the brick arches are in the background. In the foreground is a play area with bark on the floor and a pair of swings. Other equipment is blue and green.Tim Robottom
New play equipment was also installed at the playground

Mr Robottom said he used to go to the park when he was young and was "grateful for the chance to expand on our public art in Kenilworth".

"With more projects in the pipeline, our intention is to create a map so residents and visitors can discover these hidden gems for themselves," he added.

Simon Richardson, a green space development officer at the council, said the murals added "another dimension" to the park and were a "talking point".

He added: "Hopefully it will attract more people to use the green space and [get] some fresh air and exercise, which are both beneficial for physical and mental health."

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