Mural #2

As promised here is the other mural we found in town.

This mural was commissioned by Sainsburys in 1978 to decorate the outside of one of their large supermarkets on the outskirts of the City.

The designers were Henry and Joyce Collins who, among many other artworks, created further concrete murals for the supermarket chain.

The mural was removed from the store in 1990 during refurbishments and then went into storage.

A grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund meant that the mural could be cleaned and restored and installed at it's new site of Hamtun Street.

The 37 concrete and glass mosaic panels depict Southampton's history from the Roman Clausentum

Saxon Hamwic, the Medieval wine and wool trade,

and the Bargate which was built in the 12th Century. Deer heads give a nod to the nearby New Forest.
Southampton has a long maritime history which is shown in the Ocean Terminal, the Titanic and the cranes at the docks.

The City was, for a time, home to RJ Mitchell and construction of the Spitfire at Supermarine made it a prime target for the German bombers.

On a happier note the fact that Saints won the FA Cup in the summer of 76 is also commemorated.

 The mural ends how it starts with more and very different ocean going vessels.