Willam Mitchell's Mural at Brooklands Primary School

Join us at Brooklands Primary School to discover more about the story of William Mitchell’s mural (1958), designed as part of the London County Council’s pioneering Design Consultant Scheme, for which artists collaborated with housing architects. This event, made in collaboration with Brooklands Primary School and Dr Dawn Pereira, explores how, by working with the local community, the Blackheath Society was instrumental in securing a new lease of life for this unique artwork, which was moved from its former community hall home to Brooklands Primary School within the same estate.

Restoration

The routed wood and coloured resin mural was restored with support from the Heritage of London Trust before being reinstated in the school hall in November 2025. Through HOLT’s ‘Proud Places’ programme, the children participated in art conservation workshops with the mural’s conservator, Fritzi von Preussen. William Mitchell’s artwork continues to be a source of inspiration for the school and local community.

Victorian 'Ganges' sculpture

The event also explores the mural's connection to the Victorian sculpture ‘Ganges’ located in the middle of the estate's ornamental lake. Originally created by Italian sculptor Raffaellé Monti in 1854 as part of a series of eight concrete river/sea gods designed for the landscaped grounds of the Crystal Palace, Sydenham. Shortly after Brookland’s Park Estate’s completion, the sculpture was saved by LCC architect Rosemary Stjernstedt and placed in its current location. Together, they remind us of a time when art was an intrinsic part of council housing developments, as an important backdrop to daily life; a legacy that continues today as the next generation takes on the role of custodian.