A bright and sunny day greeting folk who assembled adjacent to the Chilwell Road Co-op. 

Civic Society executive members were on hand to liaise with a group who had not seen the social media notices of cancellation (our expert Anna Wheelhouse having fallen victim of a local lurgy). With upwards of twenty folks in attendance hot-weather necessitated precautionary measures about hydration and congregating in shade. So, the decision was made to go-ahead with the planned tour.

Knowing precious little about the techniques nor technology in production of the Artworks, alternative approaches were required. We set out to explore concepts and context, the social impact and implications (along with a peppering of aesthetic comments and critiques). Broadly, the place of public art in our community: what positive outcomes and influences they have; attracting visitors from far and wide, creating ‘talking points’ amongst both local folk and visitors alike – social perspectives, their settings and socio-economic influences, impact, and outcomes. Essentially helping to create a ‘Pride in Place’ and sense of belonging – Placemaking.

The route we took

Starting on Chilwell Road and the ‘Painted Lady’ butterfly image next door to the Cheques pub – celebrating the butterflies that migrate from North Africa to Attenborough and the Marina on their annual breading mission.

We diverted down Hall Croft to the RBL and ‘Lest we forget’ poppies with soldier silhouettes, onwards to the ER stamp telecoms box nearby to the Star pub along with its TV star ‘Boon’ artwork, around the corner to ‘Canary Girls’ on the Victory club brickwork, taking in the recently repainted White Lion atop the Blackshale entrance door. 

Group interaction, ideas and comments abounded along with queries and questions; whilst we took in several additional aspects of Beeston Civic activities; ranging from Blue and Red Plaques, moving of the ‘Waterhead’ sculpture through to Light Night, aspects of our campaigning work and building developments.

Onwards through the square picking-up on wall art and telecoms with old and new pictures, across Station Road to the OWEN ruby player, the noteworthy trio of feature portraits and Bees in a natural setting. Crossing over to the cycling tribute to Sid Standard, Fred Hallam’s wall, a mandala under an external staircase of Beeston Brownies just offWollaton Road – spoilt by the recent installation of a gas meter box. 

Our final destination was the artworks on, soon to be demolished ‘Cricketers,’ the Commercial and the enormous ‘Bookcase’ wall of the Quadrant office block on Nuart Road. Our hectic, engaging, highly-interactive, yet leisurely stroll concluded with welcome refreshments in the Commercial pub!

MJB 
August 2025