Olympian, 17, celebrated in town's history mural

Hertfordshire County Council Phoebe Gill standing with her muralHertfordshire County Council
Phoebe Gill went to school in Harpenden

A 17-year-old Olympian has been included in a mural celebrating key people and events in a town's history.

The artwork has been painted in a tunnel on Station Road in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, and includes runner Phoebe Gill, comedian Eric Morecambe and former Paralympic footballer David Philip Clarke.

Funded by Hertfordshire County Council, the project was designed by resident Alison Bourke who involved children from Sir John Lawes and St George's secondary schools, the later of which was attended by Gill.

Licensed street artists MurWalls used anti-graffiti paint on the artwork which also includes Victorian actress Ellen Terry and a section representing 18th Century harvesting.

Hertfordshire County Council A painting of Eric Morecambe on a wall with lyrics to Bring Me Sunshine and musical notes written next to himHertfordshire County Council
TV comedy legend and Luton Town supporter Eric Morecambe lived in Harpenden from the 1960s until his death in 1984
Hertfordshire County Council A painting of the Harpenden coat of arms and a man harvesting crops with a hand sickleHertfordshire County Council
The mural includes references to the long history of Harpenden

Gill, from St Albans, made it to the semi-finals of the 800m as the youngest member of Team GB's athletics squad.

Later in the year visitors can scan a QR code created by the David Katz Foundation to hear an audio description of the mural so it can be enjoyed by those who have visual impairments.

Network Rail and the Harpenden & District Local History Society were also involved in the project.

Phil Bibby, executive member for highways and transport at the council thanked those who collaborated on the mural.

"This is another great example of us working in partnership in our quest to improve our subways, providing a better environment that encourages more walking and cycling," he said.

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