Bond’s Street tobe transformedthrough art

Members of the community are encouraged to attend a public meeting in the Royal British Legion on Friday (September 26) to have their say on the project, which has been dubbed ‘A New Day, the Bond’s Street Way.’

The new project will not affect any of the existing murals in the area and will involve close public consultation.

Lloyd Magee, Chairperson of the Bond’s Street Community Association, explained: “The groups that are involved in the re-imaging of Bond’s Street are ourselves, the Bond’s Street Community Association, the Royal British Legion, the Orange Order, the Apprentice Boys, the Cricket club, the School and the Church.

“We are going to be holding a day in the Royal British Legion next week and we’re asking people to come along for a trip down memory lane, bring along any old photographs they have of the area, and help create this new public art.”

Mr Magee said it was an important public realm project that will be reflective of Bond’s Street’s history.

“This is another big project as far as we’re concerned. The project’s really all about the story of Bond’s Street, told by all these different groups and telling the social history of the area,” he said.

Following next week’s meeting project facilitator, Pauline Matthew, will compile a report based on the community’s input. Once this has taken place another meeting will be called to allow discussion of the report.

Three artist’s will then be invited to submit rival art works with one eventually being selected and commissioned to carry out the work.

DUP Councillor and Community Development Officer at the Waterside Area Partnership Hilary McClintock said: “This project will seek to reflect the social history of the area from the point of view of local residents, school children and various organisations.

“The facilitator, Pauline Matthew, is working extensively with school children from the area as well as all other groups and individuals locally. The art project will be wall based and reflective of life in Bond’s Street.”