Crewe’s ‘missing’ giant jigsaw, which once greeted arriving travellers at Crewe railway station, is to get a new lease of life.
The amazing piece of local artwork, produced by people in Crewe, has been reinvented and will be back on display soon, telling the story through images of what life in Crewe means to them.
Cheshire East Council’s communities team took on the challenge of reinvigorating local interest in the jigsaw artwork, which had been mothballed since a revamp of the railway station in 2012. The council had taken care to store all the pieces in the knowledge that the children who created it deserved to see it get a new lease of life.
Today’s schools, businesses and community groups responded to the idea of renovating and taking ownership of the project – and it will make its debut at the annual TrAction event in Crewe on Saturday (7 July).
Recycling and community cohesion are two themes running through the project, as well as celebrating diversity and skills.
Rail engineering company Bombardier has supported the art project, adopting a piece of the jigsaw to portray faces of some of the young people employed by the firm.
Councillor Janet Clowes, Cheshire East Council cabinet member responsible for connected communities, said: “This is a fantastic example of people in Crewe coming together to celebrate their proud heritage in a unique piece of artwork.
“It is fitting that local schools, businesses and community groups are able to adopt their own piece of the jigsaw and ensure that the spirit, in which it was designed, lives on for many years to come.
“It is also testimony to our communities team that the original jigsaw has been safely stored and reimagined in this creative way.”
Local artist David Jewkes, supported by teams of Crewe children, schools and businesses, designed and funded the original 75-piece jigsaw mural, which for many years greeted arriving passengers at Crewe Railway Station.
It extended about 20 metres of wall by the enclosed pedestrian bridge linking the station entrance with its many platforms and reflected life in Crewe and its heritage.
The jigsaw was taken down and put in safe storage when the station underwent a facelift. Many people have asked about its future and were reassured that the jigsaw would resurface. Now it has.
More photos and information can be found at the Remade Jigsaw Facebook page -https://www.facebook.com/remadejigsaw2018/.
The TrAction event is a free day of activities celebrating transport, travel and motion. For more information visit: http://www.crewelife.net/traction-crewe/
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