South Holland District Council, in partnership with Transported, was awarded an Arts Council England National Lottery grant to create a unique public artwork for Spalding town centre.
Over nine months, more than 300 South Holland school students and various community groups have contributed to this vibrant artwork, inspired by Spalding’s rich horticultural history and strong ties to the flower and bulb industry. From school workshops to community sessions, the project has brought people together to share stories, develop new skills, and take pride in creating something lasting for their town.
Each ceramic tile — including over 1,500 handmade tulips — has been lovingly crafted in workshops led by Greenfield Pottery. For many of the participants, it was their first time working with clay, and their contributions form the heart of the mural’s design, which draws inspiration from tulip fields, local wildlife, and Spalding’s floral heritage.
“It’s pretty amazing to be part of something bigger!”
The name ‘Flos Pompa’ was chosen because not only does it making reference to the town’s historical carnival, but also because Latin is the language of flowers, plants, and horticulture. The area’s connection to horticulture and flowers is an important part of its history, which we want to both share and celebrate, while distinguishing it from the recently returned Spalding Flower Parade.
Participants Included:
The Ever Young Club
Spalding Arts & Crafts Society
Tonic Health ‘Sociables’ members
Members of the public in Spalding’s Market Place
Spalding High School students
Long Sutton High School students
Monkshouse Primary School students
St Norbert’s Catholic Primary School students
William Stukeley C of E Primary School students
University Academy Long Sutton students
Thanks to such incredible community enthusiasm, the Flos Pompa artwork has grown bigger and brighter than we had ever imagined.
Explore the slideshow above to see some of the community participation that took place to make the mural.
We invite everyone to come and see the artwork up close, learn about the making process, and celebrate the creativity and dedication of our local community.
Originally conceived on a modest scale, the mural grew far beyond expectations thanks to overwhelming community enthusiasm. Flos Pompa was installed in July 2025.
It occupies a prominent site at the corner of Herring Lane and Double Street — a key entry point into town for visitors arriving by water taxi and one of Spalding’s busiest roads.
The mural’s location sits near the recently enhanced riverside walk, part of the wider Spalding Reconnected project, and is close to other public art trails supported by Transported: the ARTeFACT trail (one of its plaques shares the mural’s wall) and Joseph Hillier’s Portrait of a Town bronze sculptures, one of which stands opposite.
Before installation, the mural was previewed at Springfields Outlet Shopping & Leisure during a special weekend exhibition in April 2025.
Now it is installed and the final grouting has been complete, we will release a series of high-quality postcards celebrating the mural’s vibrant colours.
Our director, Nick Jones said:
“We’re thrilled to see the mural installed after such fantastic support from schools and community groups who worked so creatively with Greenfield Pottery. We encourage everyone to follow Transported on social media or check our website for updates on the postcard release.”
Made by Greenfield Pottery with the South Holland community, the creation of the Flos Pompa mural was led by Transported, made possible thanks to a project grant to South Holland District Council by Arts Council England.
The ultimate scale of this project would not have been possible without the enthusiasm of participating schools and community groups, and skill-sharing between Greenfield Pottery and the Boston School of Mosaic.
SPALDING RECONNECTED: HISTORIC TOWN & RIVERSIDE was a vibrant three-year community arts project (2022–2025) that celebrated Spalding’s rich heritage and unique riverside setting. Developed in partnership by South Holland District Council, Heritage Lincolnshire, Transported Art, East Mercia Rivers Trust, Lincolnshire County Council, and Landmark. The project reconnected residents and visitors alike with the town’s stories, architecture, and natural beauty and was made possible thanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery Players.
After initial creative consultations in 2023, a wide range of heritage-themed taster sessions were held — from sketching and stone painting to bookmaking — where participants of all ages shared their memories of Spalding.
The RIVER WELLAND consistently emerged as a key symbol of memory, connection, and change. These conversations led to the creation of artworks that bring new life to Spalding’s riverwalk, transforming it into a space for quiet reflection, conversation, and reconnection with nature and history
Arts group A&E COLLABORATIVE, artist LIZ KELLEHER, and illustrator ROBBIE KING led workshops with young people and local groups to create banners celebrating the town. Drawing on community-sourced stories and research from the SPALDING GENTLEMEN’S SOCIETY, the final four-part mural used cyanotypes, collage, and willow weaving. These banners were revealed in a celebratory riverside procession, complete with music, dancing, and homemade cakes.
the riverwalk arts trail
along london road, in spalding, alongside the river wellan
Living Willow Sculptures
Alison Walling of Lincolnshire Willow led a month-long series of workshops, teaching volunteers to weave both decorative and living willow artworks. Willow, once central to the Fens’ eel-trapping and bulb-basket making industries, became the material of choice to honour Spalding’s natural and economic heritage.
You can find these artworks in front of Ayscoughfee Hall School.
Key installations include:
EEL TRAP TUNNEL
A large, walk-through sculpture on the green in front of Ayscoughfee Hall School, inspired by traditional eel traps and celebrating the now-protected eel species
ARCHITECTURAL FRAMES
Woven structures such as the Gothic Archway, Transoms and Mullions and Town House Views, echoing Spalding’s historic buildings and encouraging viewers to see the town anew.
RIVER REFLECTION FRAME
A peaceful willow frame positioned to capture the calm and rhythm of the River Welland.
Stone Way Markers
Artist EMILY CARTWRIGHT, in collaboration with JAMIE HAWKER of JRH Services, created a series of engraved STONE WAY MARKERS. These serve both as artistic signage and textured elements ideal for rubbings. The nature-inspired designs — drawing from the symmetrical folk art of WYCINANKI — include:
- KINGFISHERS, GREBE, SWAN, HERON, EEL, FLOWERS, LEAVES IN WATER, and a WILLOW TREE.
These markers bring attention to the animals and plants that inhabit the riverside, offering small moments to pause and engage through touch and observation. They also connect with the ARTEFACT TRAIL, another Transported project using etched brass plaques for frottage art.
Trail experience
Impact and Legacy
The trail invites people to rediscover the familiar through new eyes, offering an accessible, reflective experience for all. It forms part of a wider effort to connect the town centre with its historic riverbanks, blending heritage, creativity, and environmental care.
LENGTH: Approx. 0.4 miles (10 minutes at a steady pace)
PARKING: Free on-street parking along London Road; nearest car park is Vine Street
ACCESS: Flat, tarmacked paths, including a footbridge
PARTICIPANTS INVOLVED: Just under 250
AUDIENCE REACHED: Nearly 4,000 people
CELEBRATION EVENT: Took place on SATURDAY, 8 FEBRUARY 2025, unveiling the new artworks and way markers along the River Welland.
Download the trail map here
The project was led by South Holland District Council and was made possible with the support of The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players. The delivery partners were Heritage Lincolnshire, Transported, East Mercia Rivers Trust, Landmark and Lincolnshire County Council.