Anger as young people’s artwork replaced with mural in Astley Village

Mark Perks who represented the division known as Clayton with Whittle for the past 16 years says he recently visited Astley Village centre and was shocked to find the young people’s art work had been removed.

He said: “The art work was made by young people over the 17 years I was the local councillor and ran young people’s activities in the village along with the founding of Astley and Buckshaw Juniors FC.

“Chorley Council had neglected the village for far too long. Thankfully the junior club now in its 22nd year is still running and run by the parents.

“However, the art work was equally important for those not interested in sport. Many grants were acquired to carry out the projects which were successful and Chorley Council did not fund them or have ownership of the work.”

He added: “I am extremely concerned that the work has not only been removed by the council but also destroyed and not once did they contact me regarding the decision they took.

“A lot of those young people still live in Chorley and have families of their own now. The art work is special to them and I consider the action of the council to show a lotal lack of respect.

“The artwork boards were not broken or remotely in a bad way neither were the welcome to Astley Village community centre.

“I am calling on the council to re erect the art work and seeking the property company HDAK and Places for People to support the cause as they originally did – the art work needs returning to the village.

“The area is in fact very all very corporate and plain now – the village shopping centre has lost its long standing art work of its young people and replaced with bland white rendering on the community centre and a Chorley focused mural that does not display anything connected to Astley Village.”

However, Leader of Chorley Council, Alistair Bradley said the artwork which was previously on display was removed as over time they had become very worn but would be reinstated.

He said: “At the centre we recently commissioned a mural which celebrates Chorley. This vibrant and colourful celebration of the borough was created by a Northwest artist and showcases all that our community has to offer.

“Funded through the UK Share Prosperity Fund and the Community Infrastructure Levy, this mural is part of a wider programme to improve the area around the Astley Village shops, including new rendering on the community centre.

“The colourful mural was commissioned to give the area a new focal point, nicely complimenting the splendour and attractiveness of Astley Hall and Gardens.

“The artwork which was previously on display was removed as over time they had become very worn and were breaking apart in some areas.

“We have retained the artwork and will look to reinstate those undamaged sections in the future.”