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Public art mural by Cobolt Collective pays homage to Wakes Weeks
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Date
Summer 2021

Location
Sandylands Promenade

Client
Self Initiated

Artwork
Commissioned by Deco Publique - Designed and Painted by Cobolt Collective

Collaborators
Crown Paints, 978 Financing,

Funder
Seed funded by Lancaster City Council, Crown Paints, 978 Financing, Furness Bay Lettings

Project highlight
The response from the community, online and in person, sharing photographs, words of encouragement, and even ice-creams with the team.

Inspired by the Wakes Week Holiday period and the resurgence of staycations during the COVID-19 pandemic, the mural celebrates the heritage and contemporary offer of the seaside resort of Morecambe. Commissioned by Deco Publique, Glasgow Based Cobolt Collective hand-painted the 180m2 wall, situated on Sandylands Promenade.

The inspiration behind the wording and design of the mural came directly from the Morecambe community. During lockdown, Cobolt held telephone interviews and Facebook chats with Morecambe’s ‘Sandgrownuns’, some residents local to Sandylands Promenade, Bed and Breakfast Owners who operated in Morecambe in the 1950’s and 1960’s as well as people who currently use Morecambe’s 6 mile promenade for health, well-being and recreation activities.

The design brings to life stories that were shared; from the nights spent on the promenade roller skating, to stories of going to the swimming stadium to watch the aqua lovelies and loonies perform synchronised swimming, and jump from the high diving boards.

The conversations with locals about the rich history of the resort and their love of Morecambe today gave a wealth of visuals to work with.

Project Areas

The Wakes Weeks

The Wakes Weeks was a holiday period in which factory towns, particularly those in the North West, would pack up and rush to Morecambe en masse, leaving industrial towns behind. As the mills and factories shut down for annual maintenance, nearly the whole population of a town would gather their bathing suits and their finest clothes, hair coiffed to perfection, and board buses or trains straight to Morecambe.

Archival Research

The line, ‘Come and be happy at Morecambe’ was found on a 1920’s postcards, one of many sent from happy holiday makers in Morecambe. Another postcard shows that it was sent from a holiday maker staying on the same stretch of the promenade the mural features today. The typeface used for this line is a version of the one in the Floral Hall Ballroom poster from 1963 when the Rolling Stones came to play. The lettering used for ‘Morecambe’ is a visual reference to the Whitehall cinema, close to West End Road, open from 1913-1955, which was spoken about fondly by the community.

Cobolt Collective

“We thoroughly enjoyed researching the rich heritage of the area and hearing more about the local history from the residents. There was a wealth of information and visuals to work with so when it came to designing the mural it was hard to select what should go in it!”

Erin of Cobolt Collective

“The mural itself was a joy to paint. The views from 15m up were incredible and we witnessed a few of the famous Morecambe sunsets whilst we were painting. We have never been to a more welcoming and friendly town - that’s saying something coming from Glasgow! Each day brought more smiling faces who shouted up their encouragement and we were brought many teas, coffees and even ice creams to keep us going.”

Chelsea of Cobolt Collective

“We were delighted to have been selected to paint a mural on Morecambe’s promenade, especially as the area means so much to me and my family and has played a pivotal part in my creative career. We hope our colourful mural will evoke joy, bring back nostalgic memories and act as a backdrop for many visitors or locals as they make new ones in Morecambe Bay for years to come.”