One of North Birkenhead’s most famous sons, country music legend Charlie Landsborough, is to be immortalised in a new mural in the town, created by famed Liverpool “Wings” artist, Paul Curtis.
The singer, who grew up in North End, received almost half of the votes (46%) from local residents, who were asked to choose one of three local heroes that they wanted to see featured in a new piece of artwork at North Birkenhead Train Station. He beat Everton FC, Tranmere FC and England great Dixie Dean and the town’s first female mayor Lady Mary Ann Mercer to the post.
The competition, which was launched by Cradle to Career, a long-term initiative that aims to transform the lives of children and young people in North Birkenhead, is a celebration of the passion, talent and creativity that has come from the North End over the years.
Liverpool City Region Artist of the Year, Paul Curtis, best known for his striking turquoise “wings” mural in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle, will complete the project, which will commence in the coming weeks.
Charlie Landsborough, who thanks the strong sense of community in North Birkenhead for the man he has become, is delighted to have been recognised by his fellow Northenders:
“It is a great honour and brings such pleasure to my family and friends to receive this visible accolade in the area where I spent so many of my formative years.
“I grew up on Beaufort Road in a house full of music, laughter and animals. We may not have had much in a material sense but we had kindness, love, loyalty, humour and looked out for each other. That sense of community was always there and there’s always genuine warmth when you bump into old neighbours and friends from back then.
“So much of the person that I’ve become stems from my early life and all the many influences of family and neighbours in what was a real community. I wouldn’t have traded my upbringing for any amount of silver spoons and I’m proud to be a son of the North End.”
Liverpool City Region Artist of the Year, Paul Curtis hopes to impress the Birkenhead community with his newest project and said:
“I’m really happy that the people of Birkenhead have supported my artwork and I am thrilled to have this opportunity to work on this project for Cradle to Career.
“This is my next big project, so it’s great to have the greenlight and start the design properly. Charlie makes a great subject for a portrait and hopefully, I can capture some of the heart and charm that he puts into his songs.
“I feel that it is genuinely important to surround ourselves with art, be that music, writing, painting, film, sculpture. It inspires, it brightens an area, it attracts visitors, it develops pride in an area and it boosts business. I hope this mural is a success and Charlie likes the finished product, but more importantly, I hope the community likes the artwork!”
