WOODLAND scenes and local butterflies have been restored to the Tunbridge Wells Common with the painting over of a defaced toilet block.
The public convenience behind Wellington Rocks is owned by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council, but there had not been the budget to paint over the graffiti, according to the Commons’ General Manager Gemma Stapeley.
“It has been a notorious ‘grot spot’ for years, ruining the beautiful view across Tunbridge Wells Common,” she said.
She managed to secure external funding from both the Friends of the Commons and Royal Tunbridge Wells Together, which runs the Business Improvement District and covers the area of the Commons.
Local artist Humor, otherwise known as Hugh Whittaker, took on the project, adding a woodland scene complete with native butterflies, which was unveiled last week.
The art reflects the results of surveys over the past year by Commons Ranger Dan Colborne, carried out with professionals, volunteers and other members of the community, Ms Stapeley told the Times.
“The native butterflies are peacock, brimstone and purple emperor, which are found on the Commons. All of the data recorded will help in the creation of a new ecological management plan due out at the end of the year.”
