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Project Scope
Mural created in three sections with a solid oak frame. Size approx 20ft wide with centre section projecting to 5ft at its apex. The main mural has a non-reflective finish, whilst the central section and selected images are over-mounted with a reflective finish, adding depth and visual impact.
Overview
The Couplands, a local family of prosperous farmers left a complicated will, that if the widow of the remaining son were to re-marry a large amount of money would be used to establish a hospital, to be called The John Coupland Hospital. The cottage hospital was opened in 1913 with a formal presentation attended by thousands of people. It was built as a magnificent piece of Georgian style architecture, with interior walls beautifully panelled in polished oak.
We wanted to recreate the grandeur of the original hospital in the styling of the heritage mural, which would feature in the main link corridor. Blue satin was used as a background with a ribbon of gold to pick out key dates. Elaborate Georgian scrolls and grand quotations add to the ornamentation. The impressive hospital entrance features centrally, given a reflective finish, cut to shape and over-mounted so that it extends in front of the left and right sections and above the hand made oak frame. Selected images, within the non-reflective left and right sections, are also over-mounted with a reflective finish to stand proud, adding to the three dimensional effect.
This mural is the first of two, and portrays the history from the planning and official opening of the hospital in the early 1900’s to the birth of the NHS in 1948. The second display will follow work being undertaken to develop the site, and will continue to bring the story right up to date.
The mural was unveiled, during beautiful hot, sunny weather, on Saturday 10 July 2010 at the John Coupland Hospital’s Open Day.
Feedback
"John Coupland is a community hospital with a strong sense of ownership by both staff, patients and the local community. Our project, influenced by the King’s Fund, Enhancing the Healing Environment, has allowed us to record and preserve the history of the hospital’s origins, its staff, and how it has developed over the years and share this with others.
It is a tribute to the enthusiasm and commitment of the small team and the hard work of Karen and Tony (Woodgate Design) in supporting us and undertaking much of the background work. It was also fantastic to be able to involve members of the community, who shared their photos with us and allowed us to feature their relatives and record their histories as part of the display.
There is a great sense of achievement and the positive effect of the mural in an otherwise drab corridor is demonstrated daily by the number of people I pass, standing, looking and reading."
Jill Anderson
Matron, John Coupland Hospital
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