10:29am Thursday 21st August 2008
By Gazette Reporter
A collection of paintings of every building in Marlborough High Street is to go on show to mark the refurbishment of the town hall court room.
The court room, on the ground floor of the 105-year-old building, recently underwent major civil engineering work.
Following years of concern over two archways that survive from the previous town hall, the town council decided to have them strengthened.
Extra steel supports were inserted to guarantee the safety of the arches.
The court room, which was taken out of use for several months while the work took place, has just been completely re-decorated.
To mark its re-opening, architectural artist Colin Palmer will be holding an exhibition of his townscape paintings in the court room next Wednesday and Thursday, August 27 and 28.
Mr Palmer, who has a studio in the Wagon yard in London Road, became fascinated by the different periods of architecture represented in the famous wide High Street, claimed to be the widest in England.
His work was spotted by Michael Pooley, owner of the White Horse Bookshop who commissioned Mr Palmer paint all the buildings on both sides of the High Street.
The idea was to record the appearance of the town as it is today and the result is 28 pen and watercolour paintings, in painstaking detail.
Mr Palmer hopes the paintings will show his affection for the town.
Next week's exhibition will be the first time the whole collection - previously on show only at the White Horse Bookshop - has been displayed in a public building.
Mr Pooley said: "We are lucky that so many attractive buildings survive from past centuries but the number of independent shops in the High Street is dwindling.
"When I saw the style and quality of Colin's work I realised he could help me create a snapshot of the High Street's special character today."
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