Mural reflects changing world of work in town

Helen Murray said pupils were "really pivotal and inspirational" in creating the mural

A mural has been created to reflect the changing world of work in a Leicestershire town.

The project, co-curated by Market Harborough residents and the county council's Culture Leicestershire team, went on display at Harborough Museum this week.

It is inspired by the Ladybird Book series "People at Work" which was released 60 years ago by the then Loughborough-based publisher.

The piece is divided into six sections and looks at uniformed jobs, unpaid volunteering work and working from home, while making reference to the town's 800-year-old market and independent businesses.

The mural’s background is a collage from local magazines, maps, and books

Helen Murray, a community participation worker at the county council, told the BBC the artists behind the piece worked with local people to "create a mural that reflects work in Harborough today".

"Work in Harborough is particularly characterised by all our amazing independent shops which make the town so vibrant and such a unique and special place," she added.

The mural will be on display in its current location until 31 January, but the council hopes its six pieces can find homes beyond the museum in local community venues when the exhibition ends.

Robert Smyth Academy in Market Harborough will take one piece, having been involved in the consultation process of creating the mural, but Ms Murray said other organisations should get in touch about the other five.

A section of the mural looks at uniformed jobs, such as the police and postal services

Christine Radford, county council cabinet member for heritage, called the artwork a great reflection of both our past and present.

"They bring together the then and now, highlighting the evolving nature of today’s workplaces," she said.

The mural was created as part of the Community Curators in Market Town Museums Project, funded by Arts Council England.