This is the proposal that appeared in the Crowhurst, East Sussex parish newsletter in September:

We are planning a mural to celebrate Crowhurst’s character, history and natural environment, and we need your help to make it happen!

Together we will create a Crowhurst 1066 version of the Bayeux Tapestry. It will portray the South Saxon population of King Harold’s manorial holding in Crowhurst. It will be a cheerful celebration of preconquest Crowhurst with glimpses of agricultural life at that time.

The mural will bring together Crowhurst’s rich history, including its connection with King Harold and 1066, the lost Crowhurst viaduct, the village’s ancient yew tree and its natural environment, alongside its contemporary identity as a railway community and champion of dark skies and astronomy. The design connects past and present, with the historic imagery on one platform and a modern Class 375 train and its village passengers on the other. It will be a great legacy piece linking Crowhurst with the historic Bayeux Tapestry exhibition in London.

The mural design and creation will be led by local artist Emily Johns, who created our Crowhurst Community Map. Some examples of initial designs for the mural are included below. This community project aims to involve and work with local residents to prepare and create the mural.

Here is how you can get involved:

> Up to 30 villagers have the option of having their portrait sketched by the artist and these will be used on the mural to depict historical figures.

> We are looking for 4 villagers who would like to be taught by the artist to cut the stencils that will be used on part of the mural. They will then have the chance to work on the mural under supervision.

> Another 2 villagers will be offered the chance to photograph and document the 12-day installation for social media, press, case studies and website content.

> We are also looking for 10 volunteers who will help us clean and prime the site. The concrete walls are already painted with white paint, but are patchy and dirty. We hope local volunteers will take part in helping to clean and prepare the concrete ready for painting the mural.

This is a unique opportunity to create a mural that will be a public expression of local identity that will be seen for years to come.

You are invited to a meeting at 2pm on Sunday 4th October at the Village Hall for prospective village volunteers to meet the artist, hear more about the opportunities to get involved, and to register their interest in participating. We look forward to seeing you there.

If you would like to help come to the meeting or email us at crowhurstmural@gmail.com

and we will send you a volunteering sign up sheet.

Sonia Plato and Emily Johns