Story of Blatchington Mill School

The Mural

Mural Wall Painting, West Wing

Painted originally in 1956 by A. Harrison, an Old Boy of the former Grammar School, the mural painted over the main staircase was restored in 1994 by Sheila French, funded by the Old Boys Association, in memory Gwen Brackley, for many years Secretary of the Association.

In addition to the then familiar faces of staff members the mural is dominated by a figure representing humanity, whose noble head is turned to the higher ideals of life, and who is upholding peace and goodness. Represented traditionally by a white dove, and at the same time attempting to subdue war and the evil of man, symbolised by an eagle. The latter, struggling to be free, has its talons stretched towards the material works of man and overshadows his endeavours with dark and flapping wings.

At the foot of the staircase below the eagle is a townscape with some local features, in which people are seen going to work. Some of the workmen have their faces turned upwards and are struggling to rise above their humdrum existence and climb the staircase to a greater awareness of life.

At the top, new building can be seen in progress, and education, which is one of the means by which man can achieve his ideals, is here prominent. Youth is now the keynote. Their guides, to make it personal to this school, bear the faces of the then present masters; but this should not blind you to their significance as representing that section of the community whose job it is to prepare young people for life, and to install into them ideals and ambitions proper to civilised people. From this lofty platform, somewhat isolated perhaps from the world below where the common man lives through his monotonous routine, descends a stream of boys going out into life to build and work, taking with them the skills and knowledge which may make our world a better one.

The family group at the head of the stairs is a traditional grouping of man, woman and child held within an ovoid, which signifies the creation which is repeated all around us throughout our lives, and is a reminder of the glory and magnificence of God. Without this note the mural might have been too materialistic and lacking in the reverence due to our Creator.

(with grateful thanks to Alan Pratt : Hove Grammar School 1953 - 1958)

Visit:

The Virtual School Gallery for more pictures of the mural