Race to finish mural for fair

The planned Donald Rose mural on the side of Ilkeston Town Hall. Image from Erewash Borough Council.

A spectacular new attraction is poised to boost crowds at one of Europe’s most historic street fairs – as two renowned artists race to complete a giant Ilkeston mural in time for next week’s extravaganza of family fun.

The huge seven-metre-tall (23ft) artwork on the side of Ilkeston Town Hall is a tribute to a local World War Two hero who was Britain’s oldest man when he died last year at the age of 110.

Donald Rose was involved in the D-Day landings – where he survived a bullet to the leg before fighting his way into Germany to help liberate the Nazi death camp at Bergen-Belsen. He lived to become the nation’s oldest veteran of the 1944 Normandy invasion – when Allied troops crossed the Channel on 6 June thanks to a gap in stormy conditions that the Germans never saw coming.

The story of the crucial weather forecast – and James Stagg, who was the meteorological genius behind it – featured in the hit summer film Pressure.

Top street artist Neil Keating and collaborator John Culshaw are now hoping the weather will be similarly kind as they work on their poignant mural – which depicts Donald as a smiling centenarian and as a fresh-faced young private.

Neil, 46, has masterminded a string of striking wall displays across Erewash thanks to a public art initiative by the borough council. A total of £100,000 has been earmarked to elevate the urban environment using money from the authority’s recently launched Erewash Investment Fund – which is pouring millions into boosting the borough in all kinds of ways.

The mural honouring Donald is on a modern extension behind the grade II listed town hall. The council was determined for it to be completed in time for Remembrance commemorations in November but has now pulled out all the stops so it will be ready for the 774th Ilkeston Charter Fair – which starts at 6pm on Wednesday 21st October and continues until Sunday 25th October.

The annual event’s official opening ceremony takes place on the Thursday – which this year is 22nd October – and revolves around medieval monarch King Henry III giving permission in 1252 for a fair to be held by the people of “Elkesdon”.

Crowds begin gathering in front of the town hall from 10:30am as street entertainers perform. “Bubble stilt walkers” will be wowing children this year – while the Ashby Little Big Band plays vintage swing and ballroom music.

In the run-up to midday an official reads out the ancient charter – before a countdown to the clock on St Mary’s Church striking noon. The Mayor than rings bells to signify the revels can begin in earnest. Worshipful guests from across Derbyshire instantly join Erewash’s civic leader in heading straight for the big wheel and dodgems.

The street that the mural will face – Wharncliffe Road – is among those in the town centre that will be hosting rides and stalls. The two artists are currently using scaffolding that has been erected until the end of this week.

Cllr Mark Alfrey, who is Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environment, said: “We are expecting Neil and John to have worked their magic by Friday – so the scaffolding will be coming down well before the fair starts. It means our magnificent mural honouring Donald will then be unveiled in all its glory – ready for fairgoers who visit Ilkeston from all over the world to marvel at it.”