Artists Karl Barfoot and Adam Sadd paint new design on Calthrops boards ahead of Spalding Flower Parade

Talented street artists teamed up to cover ugly graffiti with a striking floral design in time for the town’s showpiece event.

Karl Barfoot joined forces with Stephen Timewell, organiser of this month’s Spalding Flower Parade to tidy up boards at Calthrops in Market Place that have been ‘tagged.’

Helped by Adam Sadd, the floral mural featuring a woman’s face, took 15 hours to complete from whitewashing the wall to designing and spraying the artwork with Karl’s tag HONR in the top left corner. It will now be seen by thousands at the flower parade.

Karl Barfoot said: “I was happy to be asked and thankful and trusted to do it.

“It will be good as it is another attraction in the town.

“I enjoyed doing it.”

A number of properties have been ‘tagged’ in the town including The White Horse in Churchgate, which has also been given a flower parade-themed makeover.

Car parks, phone boxes, the former Hughes building in Sheep Market and the entrance to the Castle Sports Complex have also suffered from the blight of graffiti — with police investigating in a bid to find out who is behind the spate of incidents.

However, the Calthrops boards were among the most prominent - and were set to mar the town’s appearance ahead of Saturday’s big event.

Mr Barfoot started the design process for this site on Thursday evening by rollering the surface to be ready to paint and marking out the outline.

On Saturday morning he started at 6am and the whole design of a woman’s face with flowers was finished by 5pm.

He had a helping hand from Star Perry, current ambassador for the flower festival who helped newly-appointed Deputy Flower Queen Demi Fontaine Gilchrist apply the finishing touches.

He said: “There were a few negative comments throughout the day but everyone else was positive.

“It makes the town ten times better.

“I hope it leads to more bits in town that are more permanent.”

Mr Barfoot has previously appealed to South Holland District Council for a legal wall for artists to use for graffiti art.

Mr Timewell said: “It is amazing - Karl is a very very talented guy and very generous with his time.

“It is a big responsibility as it is right in the middle of town.

“I hope it doesn't get damaged and as Karl is a local artist people have a lot of respect for him.”

Mr Barfoot added: “I think it will get respected,

“Most people respect the graffiti scene.”

The mural is made up of emulsion, spray paint and UV protected paint that will last a long time.

The Spalding Flower Parade is taking place on Saturday (May 11), with more events to follow at the Castle site on Sunday (May 12).

Visit https://www.spaldingflowerparade.org.uk/spalding-flower-parade for further information about the event.

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