Residents delight as Smallbrook mural completed

A new wildlife-themed mural project has been completed in Warminster after weeks of work by two local artists.

Artists Tanya Hinton and Nick Andrew have applied their creative skills to paint animals onto a shipping container at the Smallbrook Nature Reserve car park.

The structure now features wildlife such as swans, otters, toads and a kingfisher.

Tanya and Nick teamed up with Clare Hancock of Sustainable Warminster to make the project a reality.

For five years, Clare had walked past the shipping container and dreamed that the peeling plain paint could be covered by a wildlife mural, due to its proximity to so many animals at the nature reserve.

The idea was discussed at a Sustainable Warminster meeting and a plan was put into motion.

Clare said, “I contacted Warminster wildlife artist Tanya Hinton, who was delighted to take on the project with her partner Nick Andrew. It took me six months of background work to obtain permission from Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, who own the shed, and from the Smallbrook Volunteers who use it to store very basic tools. Also, to obtain grants from the Fudge Trust and Warminster Lions Club, and a donation from Sustainable Warminster.

“We are very grateful for all their generous contributions and thank them very much. Tanya meanwhile set up a crowdfunding page and was able to raise money from this too. Many thanks to all the people who made very kind donations – the support around this project has been tremendous!”

Once enough money was obtained, Tanya and Nick started work on the painting in May.

Nick painted the background and Tanya worked on the numerous birds, mammals, fish and reptiles.

Clare added, “The many visitors to the area have been delighted to see it unfold and ‘wow’ is said so often as it comes into view and out come the cameras!

“It would be a wonderful thing if this idea could spread across the land as it is a most wonderful educational concept and it really uplifts people. Tanya and Nick have done a most fantastic job, something to be hugely proud of in Warminster!”