Take a walk along Walmer Seafront and chances are you'll spot an impressive decorated wall near to the putting green and children's paddling pool at Walmer Green.

It is, in fact, HM the Queen's Golden Jubilee Mosaic, created in 2002 as an arts project by three schools in Walmer parish - The Downs School, The Parochial School and Walmer School - together with local businesses and residents.

Creating the design

Two local artists, Susannah Preston and Abi Hughes-Edwards of "Oh My" Arts Company, were commissioned to develop a concept for a mosaic to cover 42 yards of the three-foot high wall, forming the boundary of the putting green.

They proposed a design that reflected the proximity of the memorial bandstand and the sea. And, of course, there had to be a link to the Queen's Golden Jubilee. To encourage people to walk its length, they felt the mosaic should "tell a story" and came up with the notion of a very special kind of marine concert in the Queen's honour. It went as follows:

"It was the Queen's Golden Jubilee and the sea-dwelling life of Her Majesty's sovereign dominions gathered together to give a gala concert. All forms of watery royalty were present, King Neptune himself and even Lord Pott of Lobster were there.

"What enchantment turned the haddock and plaice into such charming examples of refinement and grace? A mackerel into a mermaid, seahorses into steeds, royal boxes bulging for the best view of the magnificent marine band. Who can forget the butterfly fish on horns, the wimplefish harp, shrimps and prawns on violins and piccolos, the lobster on castanets and the octopus on timpani?

"An evening of triumphant music - alas, too soon over, as jewel turns to scale, hats to sprats and Neptune sinks to deep whaleish waters."

The artists suggested this fantasy could be turned into a practical design with seven scenes:
1. the arrival of the mermaid;
2. the arrival of the audience;
3. first royal barge;
4. the most magnificent marine band;
5. second royal barge;
6. the applause, the undoing of the magic; and
7. after the concert was over…

With the schools

Prior to starting work on the wall, the artists met with the schools involved to explain the project, plan timetables and work with the children. This involved a series of training workshops with interested teachers and parents.

The artists themselves undertook the cutting of the tiles. The area in front of the wall had to be cordoned off during the period of construction with a scaffolding tunnel erected to provide a weatherproof working area.

Once Susannah had drawn the outline, groups of schoolchildren were brought in during the week to work on the project. In time, whole families got involved and many adults and passing tourists crouched in the tunnel to add pieces to the picture. It is estimated that around 500 people helped on the project.

Time consuming

Gradually the picture took shape. All very time consuming and physically quite demanding because of the low height of the wall. The weather in the early stages was atrocious and at one point there were fears the project would not be completed on time.

During the few weeks before the planned unveiling on Monday, 3 June, several stalwarts gave up enormous amounts of their time to help ensure that all was completed. With only days to go, the grouting could be done, the surface cleaned, the scaffolding and fencing removed and the mosaic covered ready for the big event.

Unveiling and picnic

Fourteen of the children who had worked regularly on the project were invited to help with the opening on the day. Families and local residents, invited to bring their picnics down to the Green, turned out in vast numbers, estimated at 2,000 people.

A programme of music was arranged for the afternoon and a marquee erected offering food and drink. Finally the covering banner was dropped and the picture unveiled to the obvious delight of everyone present.

In addition to the music programme, sports leaders were recruited to keep the younger children active during the afternoon and a number of characters dressed as starfish wandered around the site.

Cost of the project

A commemorative plaque at one end of the mosaic acknowledges the participants and funding bodies. The cost of the project was £15,000 but this hardly reflects the value of hundreds of hours of voluntary work put in by many members of the community including parish councillors and their families and the administration time and expense borne by the council itself.

In addition to Walmer Parish Council's own financial contribution of approximately £5,200, a grant of £5000 was obtained from the Awards for All Scheme, £3,000 from Dover District Council, £1000 from Pfizer and £300 from the Kent County Council Community Festival Scheme.

A little more

There's a little more to the mosaic than many will appreciate. It was designed to be accessible to the visually impaired. The design is initially visual but it is also tactile and the narrative can be shared through touch.

The wall is at an ideal height for children and wheelchair users and beads spelling out some of the story in braille have been fixed along the top.

The text and illustrations on this page were created using an original report by Walmer Parish Council and photographs kindly provided by the late Councillor Christine Orridge.