A RESIDENT has spoken of his upset after a mural was removed just hours after he saw it as part of a pilgrimage trail from Reading to Southampton.
The mural of Heather Small was painted by artist David Speed in 2023 as part of Las Estrellas del Camino, the world’s largest urban art exhibition.
It was painted on the side of the Haslams Estate Agents office on Friar Street.
Curated by Estrella Galicia it is part of a feature of works spread over 78 miles (126km) along several stages of the Camino Ingles/English Way walking route, of which Reading is the starting point.
Known as the St James’ Way, it is one of seven recognised routes which form the Camino de Santiago on its way to Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain.
However, a planning officer report submitted to Reading Borough Council, confirms the 12m hand painted mural only had temporary consent for three years, which some residents said they were not aware of.
Ken Oakley, of Erleigh Road, undertook the part of the trail accompanied by his wife, but on returning later in the day was surprised to see it had been removed.
He told The Chronicle: "We saw the mural and couldn't believe that it had been painted over.
"We had no idea that it was temporary.
READ MORE: Residents demand action as 30 dead fish rot in Reading pond
"We thought it was a permanent [feature]. I think about 2,000 people have done the walk and we spoke to other people and they had no idea it was about to go.
"Increasing numbers of people are doing this walk and it's quite striking.
"I feel very disappointed that there was no mention [publicly] of it being a temporary thing."
The mural is very close to Reading’s Abbey Quarter, where the St James Way starts its 70-mile route to Southampton.
An extract from Ken's guidebook said: "Heather Small, perhaps best known as the lead singer of the '90s music band M People.
"Heather walked the Camino de Santiago for the BBC series Pilgrimage: The Road to Santiago, in 2018, becoming an ambassador for the Camino."
Visitors are then invited to scan Heather's face on the mural to watch a short video of her sharing her background and thoughts on the Camino.
Ken said despite it being there for only three years, it played a small part in Reading's history and culture.
He said: "We were lucky to have done the walk before it was removed. It wasn't prominent, but when you know it's there, it's a big mural.
"It seems a bit of a shame to now be a blank wall."
Haslams Estate Agents confirmed the wall the mural was painted on does not belong to them and that they do not control what is on there.
Share