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Village mural celebrates Dambusters

Sarah-May Buccieriin Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire
BBC Steve Crowe is wearing a black jacket and is smiling. He is standing in front of a wall painting showing a World War Two airman wearing flying jacket, helment and oxygen mask.BBC
Graffiti artist Steve Crowe says he is "very proud" of the mural

A large mural has been painted to commemorate a village's role in World War Two.

The artwork on the side of a building in Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, depicts airmen and aircraft, including a Lancaster and Spitfire.

Steve Crowe, a 43-year-old graffiti artist from Peterborough, said he was "very proud" to be involved in the project.

"It's lovely to see the response from it and know that I'm going to have a huge piece of art that's going to be here for years to come," he added.

A graffiti mural on the side of a grey building. The artwork includes an airman wearing breathing apparatus and headphones. Above him is a spray painted man in uniform which is half completed.
Steve Crowe says many people have stopped him to chat about his work

Crowe said his work on The Broadway was the village's "first mural".

The design was commissioned by Chris Taylor, who owns the building and had a vision to bring it "back to life" by transforming grey walls into a piece of art.

RAF Woodhall Spa was home to 617 Squadron, The Dambusters.

In May 1943, Lancasters from the squadron launched raids on German dams from another base in Lincolnshire, RAF Scampton.

"Them guys they went to war, they gave their lives for us, for us to be able to have a normal life," Taylor said.

He described the mural as a nod towards the area's roots.

A man with a shaved head is wearing a blue jacket and is smiling. Behind him is a graffiti artist standing on scaffolding as he spray paints a mural on the building behind him.
Building owner Chris Taylor says the painting has received a positive reaction

Taylor, who has lived in the village about four years, said he thought the mural would be "a nice addition" to Woodhall Spa.

An alleyway could also be transformed into a feature wall depicting historic aircraft.

"It'll be a labyrinth, It'll be amazing," he added.

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