‘The Normanton Junction’ artwork pays tribute to the town’s rich rail history, a cornerstone of its development. It highlights the vital role of the local colliery, with its iconic cooling and ash towers, and the town’s unique place in history as home to the North’s first postal office, made possible by the station’s critical link between Scotland and London.
The foreground features exaggerated Lupins, a nod to the wildflowers that once thrived along the railway sidings, symbolising nature’s harmony with the town’s industrial past.
Created by Harriet Colours in collaboration with the children at Normanton All Saints CE Infants, and everyone at the Well Youthy, the Baptist Church coffee mornings, and the Friends of Normanton Library. Imagery inspired by Twixt and a special thanks to John Hodgkins for his exceptional knowledge, passion and dedication to preserving Normantons story.
Press Release (26.3.25)
A new mural inspired by stories from the local community has been unveiled in Normanton.
The bold and colourful artwork, by artist Harriet Colours, is now on display at the newly refurbished Normanton Market.
“We’re really pleased to unveil this beautiful mural which celebrates Normanton and its local heritage.
“Residents, businesses, and community groups are experts on their local areas so it’s fantastic to see that their knowledge has helped to create this amazing new public art.
“It brightens up the entire building into a colourful work of art. I hope that every time they walk past, it makes them feel proud of the place they live.”
Cllr Hannah Appleyard, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport.
“Markets are at the heart of our communities so it’s wonderful to see how this mural has been so heavily influenced by local people and their stories.
“Over the past few years, we’ve invested significantly in our district’s markets – improving facilities, enhancing public spaces, and delivering an events programme that has been a huge success. So, it’s great to see Normanton Market benefit from this artwork.”
Cllr Michael Graham, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Growth
The mural was inspired by Normanton’s railway heritage. As well as bringing in elements of nature to add a splash of colour.
The mural is painted using graphenstone lime-based paints which absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) through a natural carbonation process. This process helps to improve air quality and reduce a building’s carbon footprint.
Artist, Harriet Colours, said:
“It has been an honour to get to know so many people within the community of Normanton, to create this mural, and learn from their stories and values.
“And a pleasure to bring their voices to life on this wall, turning a shared space into a meaningful celebration of the town’s important rail history.”
Wakefield Council and Beam, a Wakefield-based creative organisation, is managing the Crossings and Gateways mural programme. The is the second mural to be installed so far as part of the project.
The murals are part of Our Year – Wakefield District 2024. ‘Crossings and Gateways’ will deliver an exciting public art programme across communities in the district. And provide a legacy that helps to transform places and celebrate the district’s unique heritage. As well as looking into the future.
Our Year – Wakefield District 2024 was a partnership celebration led by Wakefield Council. This huge 366-day programme of cultural and heritage activity took place in 2024 and offered people across Wakefield district the chance to get involved in culture and creativity, experiencing the positive role it plays in their community. Our Year and the Crossings and Gateways programme have been kindly supported with investment from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Arts Council England.
To find out more about Our Year, please visit Experience Wakefield.
The mural’s installation follows recent improvements to Normanton Market, which was refurbished in 2023, as part of a wider Wakefield Council initiative to support local traders and revitalise public spaces. The investment has helped create a more welcoming environment, attracting more visitors and new businesses to the area.
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As part of the programme, Harriet mentored early career artist Rebecca Feneley who gained a behind the scenes insight into the overall process as well as hands on experience during installation.
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Normanton-based Poet Jo Brandon created a poem inspired by the work –
We’ve all faced walls,
obstacle to get over, around;
knock down –
never thought to beautify –
to tape the perimeter
of building-side blank canvas
and mark out inspiration,
paint voices, sketch day-dreams:
patchwork of place in brick.
And suddenly the world
is a little bigger;
ash tower tall, colliery deep.
White steam halos
plum and lilac station-scape,
the tracks run on in my mind,
transports dull day, fills blank space,
slow my steps to enjoy this place.
Lupins trellis industry,
deep-rooted memories meet
young minds in bloom
spring pressed into brick –
days of sketching out in pencil, chalk,
filling colour with roller and brush,
close-to there is line and shade –
step back
and there’s the bigger picture.
Image credits: Nick Singleton and Beam.
