FUNDING has been secured to create a mural depicting the history and culture of Peebles over the past several hundred years.

The project organisers revealed this week that Awards for All and the Peebles Common Good Fund will provide the final money required to prepare the Old Bakehouse wall in Pennels Close off the High Street.

Local artist Michael Jessing will spend the next three to four months (depending on the weather) painting the mural which will measure 30 feet by 8 feet.

Michael has already produced initial drawings which were commissioned by Peebles Creative Place 2014 and which have been on public display in the Eastgate Theatre for the past few months.

Announcing the start of the mural project, chairman Robin Tatler said: “It has taken us a couple of years to identify a suitable site, get permission from the owners and planning permission and finally to secure funding for this project – but the finished artwork will be well worth the wait.

“None of this would have been possible without the support from Awards for All, Peebles Common Good Fund and Peebles Creative Place 2014 – and we would like to record our sincere gratitude to all those involved.” The wall is owned by St Andrew’s Leckie Parish Church and board member Jim Yuill said: “We are delighted that our building will carry this important piece of work which will be a permanent tribute to the people and events that have shaped Peebles over the years.” Peebles Community Council have supported the project from the outset and made the successful application to Awards for All for the final piece of funding.

Community council chairman Alasdair Stewart said: “This mural will be a great asset to the residents of Peebles – old and new, and should provide useful historical and cultural information for visitors to the town.” Speaking for Peebles Creative Place 2014, who commissioned Michael Jessing to do the initial drawings, Caroline Adam said: “It has been fascinating to see how Michael has developed his initial pencil sketches into fully realised colour images of some of the most iconic people and places associated with the town. I very much look forward to seeing this important new work of art in the heart of Peebles.” It is hoped that the mural will be completed to coincide with this years Peebles Arts Festival which is scheduled to take place over the final weekend in August.