New mural welcomes visitors to Bideford

A vibrant new mural, designed to welcome visitors to Bideford, has been unveiled on Mill Street. 

The 2-metre by 2-metre artwork, created by local artist Ryan Ward, is now showcased on the gable end of Country Cottage Bakery.

With its vintage advertising style and warm tones inspired by dusk and the local starling murmurations by the bridge, the mural brings a splash of colour to the town centre.

Supported by the Bideford Regeneration Board and funded through the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, the mural was fabricated by Caddsdown-based Mimick Signs.

It’s hoped the artwork will brighten up Mill Street throughout the year.

Ryan Ward, the artist behind the mural, shared his thoughts on the project:

“I have lived in Bideford on and off for many years! - I have travelled and worked away, but always come back to Bideford. Driving back home and looking at the old bridge from the new bridge gives me a sense of relaxation, I love the area, the people and community that we have … As the saying goes ‘love where you live’ this is very true, you make the experience what you want it to be. So why not embrace and enjoy everything the area you live in has to offer? I wanted to create the artwork as a welcoming sign for visitors visiting Bideford.”

Graham Blight, Managing Director of Country Cottage Bakery, expressed his excitement about the project:

“As a local business, we were pleased to support this initiative. The mural has already sparked curiosity among our customers, and we hope to see more installations like this around Bideford.”

Graham Blight, Managing Director, Country Cottage Bakery, said: “As a local company we were pleased to facilitate this project led by the Bideford Regeneration Group. Designed and installed by local tradesmen it has provoked inquisitive but positive reactions from our customers.  We hope that this might lead to further installations around our town.”

Councillor Doug Bushby, Chair of Torridge District Council, said: “The new mural looks fantastic in its new home and certainly encourages a sense of pride and community identity – just some of things that we are trying to achieve through the Bideford Regeneration Board.  If you haven’t already seen it, I would strongly urge anyone visiting Mill Street to take a look.  We are lucky to live in an area with such a strong sense of community and we hope that initiatives such as this will go a small way to putting a smile on visitors faces and a sense of pride towards our town centre.”

For more information, you can visit the artist’s website at www.oddasea.co.uk