New flower beds for Leigh Library Gardens

April 14, 2023

Friends of Leigh Library Gardens (FOLLG) are in the process of revamping the beds at the front of Leigh Library. They have removed shrubs at the west side of the building to give a clear vista from the road through to the estuary. Partly because this is a great view but also to give visibility to that area to try and cut down on anti-social behaviour.

They are working with SCC Parks Department on a new planting scheme but this leaves a large area of concrete (approx. 3 metres square) which they believe may once have been the base for a shed. The concrete slab is too deep for easy removal so they have considered how it might best be put to use and a mosaic was suggested.

There is a local mosaic artist who has worked with numerous local schools from Chalkwell, West Leigh, Darlinghurst, Lady of Lourdes, St Thomas Moore and Westcliff High Schools (to name just a few) to create mosaics in their schools. FOLLG would like to approach the artist and his team to create a mosaic for that area, working with local schools and Leigh Town Council to make it a community project.

The idea is a children’s competition for the design with a Leigh theme promoted by Leigh Town Council Arts Group and funded by Community Infrastructure Levy receipts received by Leigh Town Council.

FOLLG believe this is a great opportunity to produce something that not only has longevity and adds beauty to the area, but to make it a true community project. Several schools and organisations could be involved in the making of the mosaic along with FOLLG volunteers.

They have cited as an example, a similar project The Mosaic Studio produced which was for Admiral Court Care home. For this project they worked with 3 schools, local to the care home, to produce two mosaics for the driveway entrance, based on the artist’s own design. Working with Westcliff High School for girls, pupils were encouraged to produce their own designs on a set theme of patchwork, which was installed over the surface of a bench in the grounds.