Filling the whole of one wall of the main entrance to the new hospital in
Redcar, this large mural tells the story of the now closed Stead Memorial
Hospital. Framed in stainless steel, laser-cut at the top to imitate the industrial
skyline of the steel and chemical industries of Teesside. At child-friendly height is a detailed silhouette illustration of Coatham Marsh, a large wetland nature reserve located on the edge of Redcar.

The Stead was a small cottage hospital made up of three large houses interconnected by a long corridor. At the beginning of 2010 services and patients were transferred to the recently constructed Redcar Primary Care Hospital. The League of Friends of the Stead Hospital expressed a desire to celebrate their hospital in a permanent display in the new hospital's entrance.

To embrace the steel and chemical industry of Teesside our latest project incorporates an impressive stainless steel frame. Laser-cut in the top of the frame is a stylised profile of the industrial skyline above Redcar.

Working in collaboration with the Tees Valley Wildlife Trust we illustrated the base of the mural to appeal to children and stand out from the history information on the mural. We created a detailed, layered silhouette that features plants, animals and birdlife that inhabit Coatham Marsh, a 134 acre wetland nature reserve located on the edge of Redcar.

The history information is positioned at the centre of the mural on an atmospheric sky background that changes from daylight into burning sunset. Original celebratory plaques are fitted at strategic places.

Feedback

"Peter and I called in at Redcar Hospital today to view the completed artwork. We were very impressed; we think you've done a fantastic job. I'm sure all our members will be happy with it. It's been lovely meeting you both and thanks for the wonderful mural; you are very talented. Look forward to seeing you at the unveiling."

Joan Elders
Chairman of The League of Friends of the Stead Hospital, Redcar

"...a fantastic job – well done! Let's hope a great many people get a lot of pleasure from looking at the display. I guess the next thing would be to have some sort of unveiling ceremony and I'm sure of friends from the Friends of Stead would be delighted to be part of the ceremony. Well done once again and best wishes, Malcolm."

Malcolm Brydon
Redcar Primary Care Hospital