The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
There may not be a Platform 9 and three-quarters at Spalding, but that hasn’t stopped the Hogwarts Express from arriving in South Holland.
Artists Karl Barfoot and Adam Sadd created some eye-catching work at the town’s railway station as part of improvement works being carried out by local volunteers.
Jan Whitbourn is among those helping out in cleaning up the station and she asked the pair to provide the artwork.
Adam said: “When Jan asked to meet up to discuss creating some artwork at the station I felt it was a great opportunity for us both to show our talent once again in the community.
“We are always positive working in the community, the ‘Hogwarts Express’ will make a real attraction and my train with the opened tulip flowers will bring memories of our heritage.
“Karl and I hope our work will lead to more artwork in the local area and maybe one day many of us could get together to show off our talent as a community project that everyone can see in the town, with some young students joining in.”
Karl had some amazing ideas, but as the building is ‘listed’ they had to be careful where the work was created.
Karl continued: “I thought it would be a good opportunity and an amazing Idea as the station walls are looking tatty and dull and really needed brightening up.
“In these depressing times we thought it would be a great idea to put some life into the boring walls as people commute to work, something to make them smile. I decided to do a design on the Hogwarts Express train.
“Sketching up the design and the painting on the day took six hours, a lot of fun and laughter was had by all.”
Jan said: “Karl and Adam really enjoyed doing their artwork and would love to do more in the future. Have a look at Karl’s other work on Instagram: Honr1_
“They completed this work free of charge, having sponsors for the paint and both thought it was a good gesture for the community and after seeing all the work of volunteers at the station.
“It was a real pleasure working with these two very talented young men and I hope we can do more in the future to make the community proud.
“Go and have a look on platform two to see the amazing job that has been done. Thanks to the Conservation officer who inspected and allowed us to be creative.”
