Opposite the altar of St Bartholomew’s Church is a large overhanging wall. As the wall is white it is ideal for displaying art. A neighbour was asked after the Church service what would she put up there. She suggested a train to signify a journey. This was winter 1998. Throughout the first 6 months of 1999 the idea of a train was developed, discussing it with the Sunday School children. It was suggested a journey through the life of Jesus and the kids shouted out events in his life that they would like in the picture. In autumn 1999 it was decided that it would be good to reflect the journey that Jesus made with the one that East London had made over the last 2000 years. At the same time it was also thought that the train should mirror the Thames in East London. Thus began the largest project ever undertaken by the Sunday School and provided us with a title: The Millennium Train.
The Planning:
The wall on which the painting was to hang is approximately 5m x 18m and thus our panting had to be very large. 10 rectangular wooden frames approximately 6’ x 3’ (180cm x 93cm actual size) were constructed. To these were stapled poly-cotton sheeting purchased from the fabric store opposite East Ham Underground Station. Good quality acrylic paints were purchased and the first and last panels painted by the Sunday School. These depicted the beginning of life (an explosive centre of energy surrounded by the planets) and the beginning of eternal life (a golden source of light in a cloudy sky). The train was meant to journey between these two ideas. As the first 2 panels took 4 Sunday School sessions plus 3 Saturday sessions it was clear that the children would not be able to complete it in time for celebrating the Millennium on 1st Jan 2001. Thus in October 1999 we appealed to the parish for help on Saturday mornings. It thus became a community effort.
The Method:
The images for the picture came from library books, donated books and from photographs taken of local landmarks including St Mary Magdalene, The Three Mills at Bow and a DLR train. These were transcribed in outline onto OHP acetates, projected onto the ‘canvas’ and then traced with a felt pen.
The Painting:
The Saturday morning painting began in October 1999 for 2 months and recommenced in January 2000 until the painting’s completion at the end of February 2000. The Saturday morning became great fun with a mix of children and adults. The two most regular painters were Mrs Audrey Honey (82 years old) and Mrs Doreen Hall, (then 86 years old). Each Saturday Mrs Hall would bring a flask of coffee and some biscuits to share with everyone. In total about 40 adults and children contributed to the painting, 82 years separating the youngest and the oldest. The styles and the colours in the paintings were the decisions of the individual painters who were encouraged to personalise the paintings as far as possible. For the younger people or the less confident, the paint would be mixed and it became a paint-by-numbers type exercise, which they nevertheless enjoyed. In all, it took 5 months of painting to complete all 10 panels. However towards the end it was clear that the styles of the fist and last images, which were impressionistic, did not marry well with the central 8 canvases and therefore we did not include them in the final hung painting.
The Hanging:
The frames were affixed laterally with screws and cross-braced with additional wooden bearers. The final size was 1.8m x 7.3m. Steel wire was screwed to the bottom rail of the frame then run through a loop in the upper part of the frame. Nylon string, which had been lowered from the gantry above the display wall, was looped around the painting in four places and used to haul the painting up to its approximate resting place, an observer guiding the four people on the gantry. The string was tied to the gantry safety rail before securing the steel cables under pairs of screws-with-washers. Finally the nylon strings were removed.
The Unveiling:
Mr Stephen Timms, MP came on the 16th July 2000 to unveil the Millennium Train. Other special guests included Mr Timms wife, The Deputy Mayor and Archdeacon of West Ham, Venerable Michael Fox. In addition the Team Rector and other members of the Clergy of East Ham Parish and many members of the Parish of East Ham were present. The painting had been covered with curtains in order that a real ‘unveiling’ could take place. Mr Timms gave a short speech complementing the efforts of children and adults alike after which he cut the ribbons of 2 helium filled balloons, which was the signal for the volunteers on the gantry to remove the veil. After the unveiling about 60 people stayed for a buffet lunch. The Mural was subsequently granted a Faculty (Planning Permission) by the Diocese of Chelmsford to erect in the Church.
The Future:
It was and still is hoped that as many people as possible get to hear about the painting. Anyone can view the painting without charge during the week when the church is open. It is hoped that local primary schools may wish to see it as part of a local history project or even a religious project. It is also under consideration as to whether other churches would like to display the painting for a period of time.
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