Poet's mural planned for railway station
The words of one of Shrewsbury's most famous sons could soon be welcoming visitors to the town's railway station in a new tiled mural.
There are plans to commemorate Wilfred Owen in artwork created by a local consortium of artists.
It will be installed in one of the brick arches at the front of the Victorian station and will be passed by up to two million passengers who pass through the station's main doorway.
Andrew Bannerman from Shrewsbury Heritage is hoping to secure £15,000 for the scheme and is now on the lookout for donations.
The mural will depict Owen's famous poem The Send Off in which he describes the departure of a train taking soldiers in the First World War trenches, the effect this had on their families and the significance for the troops.
Shrewsbury Heritage is working with Shropshire Archives to lay on 100 days of World War One commemorative events, culminating with the 100th anniversary of Wilfred Owen's death on November 4 1918.
The tile mural will be created by Bench Art and the tiles will be weather resistant and placed on boards which are then fixed to the wall.
Most recently Bench Art have completed a tile and pavement trail at Jackfield Tile Museum in Ironbridge.
The mural would feature a soldier, ready to broad the train to take him to the Western Front, a deserted station platform with Shrewsbury Castle in the background and sheets of paper on the rail tracks with The Send Off written on them.
Andrew said: ""We are looking to raise £15,000, out of a total cost of £18,000, from private and charitable donations. Because of various difficulties, the project has been delayed and we have a tight schedule now, in order to allow for the unveiling of the work within the WO100 commemoration period this autumn.
"We are appealing particularly to those who, at this centennial moment, wish to commemorate Owen or a relative who lost his life in the Great War, to those who love Shrewsbury or Shropshire and those who love Owen's poetry and wish it to be read and admired by everyone."
Anyone wanting to make a contribution to the fund should contact tim.jenkins@shropshire.gov.uk
