Sunday 5th February
Joint mural honours district’s first 50 years
Thursday, 11 December 2008 00:00

THE FIFTY years existence of a Stafford neighbourhood has been commemorated by a mural in the entrance to Rising Brook Baptist Chapel, Stafford.


A joint venture of the public library and the church, and funded by the Community and Learning Partnership in Stafford, the mural was created by local artist Mark Uttley.

It includes portraits of some of the children of the Kings Club, run by Rising Brook every Wednesday evening during term time. The children also suggested ideas for the six by four foot artwork.

The map shows an early plan for the district’s development, while the Baptist church and local school also feature.

‘The mural gives glimpses of scenes around the area,’ explained senior minister, the Revd Martin Young, while local MP David Kidney described it as a ‘superb piece of art’ when he introduced it in late November.

Called Rissom Brook in 1680, the stream which now runs under the M6 got its pleasanter name, Rising Brook, later and features in the Baptist chapel’s logo.

‘Rising Brook is a mixed area,’ said Mr Young. ‘Some of the housing was built by a local company for its employees.

‘Some is sponsored by the local authority - a housing association runs it now.

‘Some is private housing. There is a shopping centre with a post office, co-op supermarket, hardware store and other outlets.

‘Rising Brook is quite a distinct community.’

The Baptist church is a centre of the community.

Its café is open every day Monday-Friday and buzzes with visitors.

The church runs work for the elderly with social services in the building and people do training for social services here.

The church also organises the Sign Post Centre in partnership with the National Health Service, social services and the police.

It caters for drug addicts, working mothers and children.

A new church website, www.risingbrook.org, has just been launched by the church.

By LAURENCE DOPSON

(Article courtesy of THE BAPTIST TIMES. Click here for so much more!)