New Mural at Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Gardens

The latest mural within the Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee Gardens (QVDJG) saw Graffiti Pro return following the impressive native woodland piece on the opposite side of the railway line.

The Friends of QVDJG were delighted with Graffiti Pro’s previous high standard of work and professionalism that they were excited for him to return for this latest venture on the side and rear of Electricity Northwest substation walls.

This year’s mural, prominently located on the previously whitewashed walls of the substation near the heart of St. Anne’s Square, beautifully captures the rich history of this cherished part of St. Anne’s. The Friends of St. Anne’s Gardens sought to reflect this deep heritage in the mural, aiming to preserve the historical essence of the gardens for generations to come.

The chosen theme for this year’s mural is a “flashback in time,” allowing viewers to step back to the late 19th century when the gardens were first established.

After thoughtful discussions between the Friends of St. Anne’s Gardens and Graffiti Pro, the artist was shown Victorian illustrations to inspire the design. Karl (Graffiti Pro) perfectly understood the vision, transforming it into a concept that encapsulates the gardens’ historical charm.

At the heart of the mural is the infamous clock, which once stood for a brief period in the gardens, where the town flag is now located. The artist aimed to preserve the history of this clock by depicting it nearly in its original position.

Through a clever use of perspective, the clock appears in 3D on the mural’s wraparound apex. Step back and you can see the clock’s hands frozen at 12:05 pm—the exact time they stopped for many months before the clock was removed. You can read the full story here.

The funding for the project was a joint effort, with St. Anne’s Town Council covering 50% of the cost, Fylde Council’s discretionary Community Fund contributing 40%, and Electricity NorthWest generously donating the remaining 10%.

Cllr Jayne Nixon, Fylde Council’s Lead Member for Tourism, Culture & Leisure, said: “Work on the mural began in May 2024, and despite the challenges of an unusually wet spring and summer, we believe the wait has been well worth it. Karl has once again exceeded expectations with this remarkable mural, demonstrating incredible attention to detail. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with him.”

Monica Pople, Chair of Friends of QVDJ Gardens, said: “I’d like to extend my heartfelt thanks to St Annes Town Council, Fylde Council, and Electricity North West for making this project possible. My gratitude also goes to the Fylde Ranger Service, St Annes In Bloom, and all the volunteers, both old and new, who have helped restore these gardens to their former glory. And of course, a special thank you to Karl for perfectly capturing our vision and embracing the rich history of our wonderful town.

Next time you’re in St. Anne’s Square, take a moment to journey back to Victorian St. Anne’s through this stunning artwork. Whether you’re strolling through or simply taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the promenade, it’s an experience you won’t want to miss.”

Karl Tsang, the artist behind Graffiti Pro, said: “I want to thank everyone involved in this project, especially the Fylde Ranger Service and Monica, for their invaluable research and for helping me immerse myself in the rich history of the town and the beautiful story behind this public art installation.

Securing wall space for projects like this is always a challenge, so I felt privileged to create the first mural in 2023. Being invited back is both a huge compliment and an honour. I encourage everyone to explore the fascinating history that inspired this piece.”