Lockdown Artwork up for Auction
Like many of Preston’s pubs and restaurants, Riverside venue The Continental was forced to board itself up for lockdown.
Rather than leaving the place looking all unloved and dilapidated, the owners’ unique next step was to commission local artist Hannah Browne to transform the unsightly boards with her beautiful floral bouquet designs, to a tremendous response from the public.
Now that the time rapidly approaches to remove them and re-open once more, the painted boards are set to be put up for auction to the highest bidder, with all proceeds going to two local community groups, Preston Windrush & Preston Windrush Generation & Descendants UK.
Since being completed in April, 28-year-old Hannah’s designs have been delighting Broadgate residents and Guild Wheel users alike, not to mention the hundreds of pedestrians currently passing by on the way to Avenham and Miller Parks for their daily exercise. They were also a big hit on social media, garnering hundreds of likes and shares, and just as many positive comments.
The Continental, which plans to re-open on 4th July (strictly following government safety guidelines), is now auctioning off the pieces as a way of giving something back to the local community. As 22nd June marked the third annual Windrush Day, the 72nd anniversary of the SS Empire Windrush arriving in Essex with the first post-war migrants from the Caribbean, it was decided thar Preston Windrush Generation & Descendants UK will receive all proceeds from the sales.
Preston Windrush is a grassroots, non-profit community interest company ( CIC ) oriented at building cohesion within and between the black community in Preston, run by a host of committed volunteers who give their time to further the cause of creating “a just, peaceful, friendly and equal Northwest”.
CEO and co-founder of Preston Windrush, Adrian Murrell, says the proceeds will go towards to the next Windrush Festival…
after this year’s, the eighth, was forced to cancel amid the COVID-19 situation. Adrian has been working with Preston’s African and Caribbean communities since the early 1980s and co-founded the festival with Melissa Hatch and Carol Harris. Previous festivals have seen celebrants come to Preston from all over the country, enjoying live reggae and jazz-funk acts, DJs, steel bands, and a cricket match with representatives from the Caribbean Islands of Barbados, Dominica, Montserrat, Trinidad and Jamaica .
“This event more than any other event in Preston shows just how multicultural Preston is and how well we have integrated in Preston,” says Adrian. “There’s a great family friendly atmosphere and it's a great event for everyone. It's an event that shows our respect, appreciation and to acknowledge the first and second generation of West Indians that helped rebuild England that paved the way for others to have a better life.”
