Chester’s Bluecoat Charity unveils vibrant murals that celebrate its 800-year legacy and ongoing community support efforts
Chester: The Chester Bluecoat Charity has recently unveiled some stunning murals designed by Absolutely Design. These colorful artworks are now brightening up the charity’s main meeting room, known as The Galeka Conference Room.
These murals tell the story of the charity’s mission to fight poverty and inequality in Chester. They showcase the various ways the charity supports the community, from helping children to providing food kitchens and playgrounds.
But that’s not all! The stairwell of the historic Bluecoat building has also been transformed with a timeline that highlights key moments in its long history, stretching all the way back to 1717.
Interestingly, while the building has been associated with the charity since 1717, the charity itself has roots that go back over 800 years. It’s quite remarkable!
Mike Jenkins, the charity’s chief executive, expressed how incredible it is that the Chester Bluecoat Charity has been serving the community for so long. He emphasized that these new murals are a great way to honor both the past and the present.
He also pointed out that many people know about the charity’s historic almshouses and its affordable office spaces for non-profits. However, the murals highlight the charity’s active role in supporting those in need through grants to various community organizations.
Graham Boyd, the founder of Absolutely Design, shared his excitement about working on this project. As a local, he often passes by The Bluecoat and has always been curious about its history.
His murals in the stairwell depict significant events, starting with the establishment of the school in 1717 and including the expansion in 1854. They also feature the bell from the WWI hospital ship, The SS Galeka, which now joins the original bell that tolls every hour.
Finally, the top stairwell mural brings the story up to date, showcasing the building’s reopening in 2015 after a major renovation, turning it into a hub for charities and voluntary organizations.
