Rose Green school pupil inspires mural

They can cheer themselves up by studying the 8ft high by 15ft long mural created on the outside wall of the school’s reception class area.

The grandfather of one of the pupils, Tilly Smith, seven, created the external masterpiece of a garden under a blue sky.

The scene painted by Peter Oldreive is packed with features such as a gnome fishing in a pond, a rabbit stealing a carrot and daisies and sunflowers.

Mr Oldreive, 64, said: “It’s about bringing a bit of sunshine into the children’s lives.

“I started painting with the sky and then drew rough chalk outlines of the rest of the designs and painted them in. It’s a bit like people see Rolf Harris painting.”

As well as his artistic skills, he has incorporated eight of the designs by the reception year children along his mural’s left-hand side.

Commercial artist Mr Oldreive has worked on film and TV sets after a 30-year career painting pub signs for Whitbread.

Nikki Bramley, the school’s lead teacher for the reception year, said the mural had transformed the outdoor area from a plain brick wall.