A new mural celebrating Woodmill as a birthplace of endangered Atlantic salmon has been created near the Activity Centre.
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The River Itchen is one of England’s renowned chalk streams, providing the clear, oxygen-rich waters that Atlantic salmon need to spawn. Historically an important breeding ground, salmon numbers have declined due to habitat loss, pollution, and barriers to migration.
Nationally conservation efforts are ongoing to support their population, and fittingly, the mural – supported by Southampton National Park City - is located opposite a salmon pool.
Artist Joanna Rose Tidey, who has worked on a number of public art projects in Southampton, including a Bitterne Manor wildlife art trail, and exhibited at Southampton Art Gallery, described the wall surface as “very testing”.
“The surface is the worst I have ever dealt with and roped my husband in to help me and my lovely neighbour has spent today looking after our children as it’s been a 2 man job putting the stencil on such an awful surface,” she wrote on social media.
“That said, I’m over the moon with how it’s turned out considering.”
She told bitternepark.info: "It’s been amazing learning from all the passers by of their stories of the area and the history of the area. It’s been a pleasure."
