Graffiti project aims to deter vandals in Angmering

GRAFFITI artists have taken to Angmering’s skate bowl in an effort to combat vandals damaging the park.
The graffiti artists standing proudly beside some of their work                   L30523H14The graffiti artists standing proudly beside some of their work                   L30523H14
The graffiti artists standing proudly beside some of their work L30523H14

A-Level students from The Angmering School united with Brighton-based graffiti artist Leon Nankivell and the school’s head of art, Sam Hobbs, to brighten up the skate bowl, in Mayflower Park, last week.

In scorching heat, five sixth-formers, with the help of Leon, coated the entire bowl with striking, colourful designs, which it’s hoped will stop vandals drawing vile obscenities on the facility.

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The idea was the brainchild of Angmering parish councillor Pat Turner, who had wanted to do something to not only curb the vandalism but to give local children more ownership of the area.

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Students From Angmering School and their Graffiti art at the Village Skate Park SUS-140724-171729001L30527H14

Students From Angmering School and their Graffiti art at the Village Skate Park SUS-140724-171729001
L30527H14 Students From Angmering School and their Graffiti art at the Village Skate Park SUS-140724-171729001

Mrs Turner was thrilled with the results. She said: “It’s absolutely amazing, I’m just so impressed.

“The students have worked so hard. It’s better than I could ever have hoped and imagined.”

Angmering’s fine art students Carl Davey, Alex Morrell, Grace Curran, Gemma Simpson and Louis McGregor spent the whole day ‘tagging’ the bowl with colourful images.

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They used more than 100 cans of spray paint to complete the work, which had been jointly funded by Sussex Police, which donated £200, and the Safer Arun Partnership’s Clean and Safe grant of £500.

Alfie Lawrence, 12, regularly uses his scooter at the park. He said: “I think it’s great because it will make more people want to come to the bowl and to use it.”

Callum Crook, 15, agreed, saying: “It just seems like a more happy place to be around.”

The efforts were also welcomed by the village’s PCSO Karen Pereira, who said: “We can never stop vandalism everywhere. But hopefully if the young people can take ownership of the bowl, that will put a stop to it.” Mrs Turner added that, in her experience, initiatives like this had proved a successful tool in combating anti-social behaviour.

The next chapter of the park’s transformation will begin later this year, when a new BMX course is built next to the skate bowl.