The Best Guide for the SO50 Area

Graffiti Mural celebrates green power

  Eyesore or work of art?

Sustainable energy is the theme for the borough's newest piece of public art.
Inspired by young people, the large mural has been painted on the building housing the Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant at Fleming Park Leisure Centre.

Unveiled by MP Sandra Gidley with Eastleigh Mayor, Councillor Derek Pretty and Baroness Diana Maddock, a long time champion of Sustainable Energy, inspiration for the design came from a workshop with pupils from nearby schools.

The Council's Cabinet lead for the environment Louise Bloom explains why this significant piece of public art was created.

"We wanted to celebrate our achievement and let the community know what we are doing and how we are using the latest energy saving and sustainable technologies. I am very pleased to announce that the Southampton based local art collective, Somnio, worked with local youngsters to create this wonderful piece of public art for us. It has been inspired by the need to use energy more sustainability if we are to tackle climate change. The CHP scheme at Fleming Park has saved 152 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the last year."

The energy saving CHP system, developed and operated by Utilicom Ltd, is part of the Borough Council's policy to encourage the development of environmentally friendly ways of producing energy.

The system involves a gas engine providing electricity, heating and hot water for one of the country's busiest Leisure Centre plus hot water for heating Eastleigh's Civic Offices nearby. It is a highly efficient means of producing energy which makes use of the heat normally lost in the generation of electricity. The mural will help to raise awareness about the CHP scheme.

Eastleigh Borough Council has been awarded Beacon Status by the government demonstrating that it is one of the country's leading authorities when it comes to tackling climate change. The installation of the CHP Plant was highlighted as one of the projects that helped the Council to win the award.

Utilicom is the nation's leading District Energy provider supplying over 40 major consumers and hundreds of domestic customers.

 As well as witnessing the unveiling of the artwork by MP Sandra Gidley, representatives of the local community and other councils were given a tour of the scheme and heard how such schemes can help to reduce energy and tackle climate change.

Community Comment:

You will need to sign in to post a comment to this article. if you do not have an AboutMyArea account, you can join now for free.

Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 6

At 07:52 on 28th June 2008, Victoria M commented:

I am curious as to why Chris Huhne MP (our MP for Eastleigh) did not unveil this mural . . . doesn't he like it??? Can anyone "in the know" answer this question please?

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Posts: 11

At 12:29 on 28th June 2008, Christine P commented:

I am all for anything that will highlight the need to tackle climate change and illustrate what is being done to that effect, or still needs to done.

But I do not think this mural is the answer, it is not at all pleasing to look at, the message is not clear either and I wonder how much it cost the local tax payers?

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Joined: 18 Apr 2008
Posts: 5

At 16:59 on 28th June 2008, Matthew M commented:

This amazes me, should anyone other than the council do this to the side of a building in a public space it would be classed as vandalism, yet the council do it and its ART. Really!! How much did this so called art cost, not just in money but to the local environment. I hope they used CFC free spray cans, and lead free paint? Who in their right mind commissioned this graffiti, please tell me it was not the same nutters in the councils art department that spent £10,000 of tax payers money on a play about Mary Beale that ran for only 2 days at ‘The Point’ dance centre and only made £700.00 in ticket sales. Public art? I think they have missed a F from the beginning of this so called ART. Nice to see that the council got school children to help and have taught them how to graffiti public buildings. Very Clever Idea. NOT.!!

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Posts: 25

At 19:03 on 29th June 2008, Winifred W commented:

Just goes to show that art's a very subjective thing. Take for example The Angel of the North! Some people love it others hate it.

It does seem that councils love spending public money on controversial art. Also a bit worrying that it may encourage young people to think graffiti is acceptable.

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Joined: 12 Aug 2007
Posts: 8

At 20:04 on 29th June 2008, Bird commented:

Some good comments above;
Why waste taxpayer’s money on something like this? Surely it could have been spent on something more appropriate, the energy saving CHP system sounds good but in my eyes it’s far from a ‘wonderful piece of public art’ I think it looks hideous.

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Joined: 30 Jun 2008
Posts: 12

At 22:46 on 30th June 2008, Lynne M commented:

I am completely unimpressed by this so called "art". It looks really out of place, not to mention a waste of money.

[Report this comment as inappropriate]

Posts: 20

At 14:26 on 2nd July 2008, Anna T commented:

I think it is a terrific idea - involving the schools with publisicing Climate Change Issues - perhaps not too eveyone's taste. Anything that puts climate Change on the agenda has to be good.
anna t

[Report this comment as inappropriate]