The Portsmouth Society - News
| News | The Rimmington mural | |
| Earlier news | Many members will be aware that what we called 'Portsmouth's hidden jewel' has been preserved in the lower bar of what is now the Trafalgar pub in Edinburgh Road. As a result of the listing of the whole building early in 2004, Wetherspoons were prevented from carrying out their original intention of demolishing the wall on which Eric Rimmington had painted the mural. Wetherspoons subsequently employed him to touch up and repaint small bits of the picture. However the final result is disappointing and in August we wrote to Wetherspoons as follows: "We are of course very grateful to you for preserving the splendid Rimmington mural in the lower bar of the refurbished Trafalgar. But it is disappointing that the glare and reflection from the protective glass make it almost impossible to see it, certainly impossible to see all of it at once." "Could you arrange for the glass to be replaced by non-reflective glass and for new lighting designed to illuminate the whole wall? The mural has been for a long time Portsmouth's hidden jewel. We do hope you will ensure that now that, thanks to you, the public have full access, it is given the illumination it deserves." "Finally may we ask for an interpretation panel, like the one you have installed on the ground floor for the whole building, giving an explanation and history of the mural?" We have now heard from them that they are trying to improve the lighting and are commissioning an interpretation panel but: "The glass has been specially fitted and we do not feel it worthwhile to replace at the present time - but we do note your comments and should there ever be a need to replace the glass then we will put in non-reflective". RJ |