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Lightning Fibre joins Bridge Sponsors and town Mayor to celebrate the opening of the Eastwell Bridge in Hailsham
A project to turn an unsightly bridge into a local landmark has come to fruition thanks to Cllr Steve Murphy and Hailsham Festival chair Tony Biggin, with the help of almost 70 local artists of all ages.
Hailsham's Eastwell Bridge links London Road and Western Road and is unfortunately popular with taggers and graffiti artists; thanks to Hailsham Town Council, Wealden District Council and East Sussex County Council, the newly named 'Artists' Bridge' is now the home of 66 mounted pieces of artwork.
The Mayor Cllr Paul Holbrook officially opened the Artists' Bridge to coincide with the opening day of the 2023 Hailsham Festival, sponsored by Lightning Fibre.
The brainchild of the project, Councillor Steve Murphy, said: “This project has taken over a year to come to fruition with numerous small steps along the way involving many organisations. The people behind Hailsham Festival of Arts and Culture and Hailsham Artists’ Network have been tremendous in the work they have put in to make plan this a reality. The wide variety and standard of artwork submitted by the public is truly amazing. Community Art is a way to combat graffiti vandalism and I hope this bridge now becomes known throughout the County as the Artists Bridge.”
Local people and businesses, including Lightning Fibre, have financially supported the project and are recognised on the Information Board at the Western Road entrance to the bridge.
Dr. Tony Biggin, Chair of Hailsham Festival said: “At Hailsham Festival, we believe that the arts represent a vital component of our culture, enriching our community and creating a vibrant landscape from which we all benefit. This installation encapsulates that vision perfectly.”
This project was made possible with generous support from:-
Alinker
Anna Rowntree and Tony Biggin
Ashley Adams Jewellers, Hailsham
Eastbourne Voices Community Pop Choir
Furniture Now
Hailsham Active
Hailsham Artists Network
Hailsham Festival of Arts and Culture
Hailsham Pavilion - Cinema and Theatre
Hailsham Voices Community Pop Choir
Josie and Jim Tipler
Laura Murphy
Mickey and Lisa Caira
Pam Robinson
Cllr Steve Murphy, ESCC
Photo Credit: Paul Gibson, Hailsham News. The Eastwell Bridge Community Arts Project was officially opened by the Mayor of Hailsham, Cllr Paul Holbrook and representatives of East Sussex County Council and Wealden District Council.
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