London Cable Street Mural artist may paint one in Welshpool

At a town council meeting on Wednesday, June 26, Cllr Ben Gwalchmai approached the council with a proposition made by Paul Butler and Linda James, asking if the council would support the possibility of a mural in Welshpool.

Mr Butler is one of the artists who painted the Cable Street Mural onto the side of St George's Town Hall in East London.

Painted by Dave Binnington, Paul Butler, Ray Walker and Desmond Rochfort between 1979 and 1983, the mural commemorates the Battle of Cable Street in 1936, which involved anti-fascist protestors opposing a march by the British Union of Fascists led by Nazi sympathiser Oswald Mosley.

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Protestors, including local Jewish, socialist and Irish groups among others, clashed with the Metropolitan Police, who attempted to remove the barricades erected to stop Mosley’s march.

Cllr Gwalchmai explained: “We have internationally known artists living close, Linda James and Paul Butler. Paul creates giant murals, like the one on Cable Street, an internationally renowned tourist destination.

“What we’re asking for is support, in principle, for a mural. We would then go on to discuss exactly where and how it would go forward. It will cost the council nothing.

“The paints are weatherproof and environmentally friendly, suited for both inside and outside environments, so wherever we decide, we know it will be protected.”

Cllr Gwalchmai added that the mural would be a “unique” feature for the town, one of only 20 of its kind in the world due to the specialist paints and materials Mr Butler uses.

Cllr Phil Pritchard expressed concerns, saying: “I’m totally against this. We’ve done it before with murals that becomes junk and rubbish afterwards.

"I’ve seen a few of these that aren’t looked after afterwards. Who would pay to clean it or clear it up if we don’t have use for it anymore?”

Town mayor Cllr Phil Owen replied: “Sometimes paint on a wall can serve as an invitation for anyone to paint on it. But on the other hand a nice display might give people a bit of pride and make them less likely to vandalise it.”

Cllr Nick Howells agreed, adding: “I’d totally support it in principle. I’ve pictures of similar murals in different towns and cities look absolutely fantastic.”

The council agreed to support the proposal.