A community mural in Gloucester Station, commissioned by train operator First Great Western, was officially unveiled on 24 October by Councillor Paul James, Leader of Gloucester City Council.

Local artist, David Bowers, together with members of the Look Forward Day Service, a day centre for young people from Gloucester, created the mural based on the results of a survey carried out by First Great Western to find out what the city means to the people who live and work there. Answers included Gloucester Cathedral, the Cooper Hill Cheese Rolling Festival, J.K. Rowling and Dick Whittington.

Councillor James said: “This mural is an excellent way to celebrate all that is great and good about our city and I am delighted that First Great Western commissioned it. It will be a real focal point for visitors to Gloucester Station, whether they live here, visiting or are just passing through.”

Lynn Edginton, First Great Western Station Manager at Gloucester Station, said: “We wanted a mural that not only brightened up the platform but would also be a permanent reminder of how the people of Gloucester feel about the city and its heritage. And with the longest railway platform in Great Britain, we had a lot of space to fill!”

Mary Martin, Day Service Co-ordinator at Look Forward, said: “Look Forward is a service for young people with mild to moderate learning disabilities and a key part of its work is in encouraging members to take part in social activities that will help them to gain skills, confidence and develop on a personal level. Creating this mural has certainly helped them with that and I know that they got a great deal of personal satisfaction from it.”

Similar murals have been created at Falmouth, Bristol Temple Meads and Bristol Parkway stations.