WORK is underway on a giant mural on the side of the King’s Head pub featuring Warrington Wolves’ legend Paul Cullen by local artist Anthony Turk – famous for the Pink Eye.
The project by Warrington Arts Council working alongside Anthony also features former player and assistant coach Paul Darbyshire who tragically died from motor neurone disease aged just 41.
The image chosen by Anthony is that of Paul Cullen saluting fans after the final match of the season at Wilderspool when he saved Warrington from relegation in 2003. Not only was it the last league game the Warrington Wolves’ first team would play at the Wilderspool Stadium before it was demolished but it was especially crucial that Warrington weren’t relegated at that particular time as they needed to have the Super League status to ensure that their occupation of the new Halliwell Jones Stadium was sustainable.
The Kings Head, a pub that is well known for attracting rugby fans and has done so for many, many years exists right between the old location of the Wilderspool stadium and the new Halliwell Jones.
Anthony, who is Paul Culen’s brother-in-law is unable to say how long it will take to complete the work – which is very much weather-dependent. He says the family connection was not the influence behind the choice of image – but the importance of the game in the club’s history.
How the Paul Cullen Mural will look
Approving the mural, Warrington Borough Council planners say the proposed scheme is not a traditional feature of The Grade II Listed building on Winwick Street, but it is reversible and will enhance awareness of the town’s sporting heritage at this key gateway. The proposal will cause a level of less than substantial harm to designated heritage assets (The Kings Head and Winwick Street Conservation Area) by being a modern addition, but on balance the public benefits arising from local engagement with sporting heritage of the borough to be gained from the proposal outweigh this low level of less than substantial harm.
They said the proposed works to create a mural on this Grade II listed building are on balance acceptable and comply with Policy DC2 (Historic Environment) of the Warrington Local Plan 2023.
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