A STUNNING new colourful mural created by volunteers for patients at a Furness General Hospital ward has opened.

The Ramsey unit at Danegarth is an assessment unit for adult patients with illnesses such as Dementia and takes admissions from across Cumbria.

Councillor Nick Perie, alongside Cllr Dave Taylor,  approached Artworks Art4All CIC when he was Dalton mayor after there was a call out to brighten up the courtyard.

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After three months and waiting for the good weather, the murals were completed and he was invited alongside others to come along and see the works.

The mural garden was opened by Barrow Mayor Cllr Judith McEwan alongside Bill McEwan, her consort.

(Image: Cllr Nick Perie) Cllr Perie said: "My thanks to Sharon for the invite and to Judith for opening the area.

"I was amazed at how the pictures really lightened up the area. It was lovely to see how Team Dalton last year worked together to bring about the change and Arts4All did all the work for free.

"It is a fantastic group dedicated to all people within Furness and has been selfless in volunteering their time for the enjoyment of the people on Ramsey Ward."

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Sharon Wendy Tait, a volunteer with Artworks Art4All, painted the murals alongside other volunteers as they run art workshops Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

The main painters were Sharon and Linda Rollinson but they had help from artists Avril Li and Jenny Creer.

(Image: Cllr Nick Perie) The murals contain colourful imagery of animals and insects such as highland cows, seals, red squirrels, bees and many more.

Sharon said: "It has a wildlife theme as when I first visited I noticed the garden had a sign up with information all about British birds. Based on that I made a few designs with a kingfisher, an owl, robin, and blue tit.

"They formed the start of the designs that I then took in to Joyce (Gallagher) at the ward. She approved them and Linda Rollinson and myself (artworks volunteers) drew the designs out.

"We started off with the murals but quickly realised that the flowerbeds needed some work as well. We used our Facebook page and asked if people could donate some plants.

(Image: Cllr Nick Perie) "As always the community were great. More of our volunteers came to help with gardening. We started the project in mid-May and finished painting the murals at the end of July."

Sharon has reported that murals have received rave reviews from the hospital patients.

"It was lovely to hear the comments of the patients on the ward as we walked through to and from the garden," she said.

(Image: Cllr Nick Perie) "One lady called Cath was a big fan of watching us as we worked and told us frequently that 'you should be on tele.' The best moments were when patients came to sit in the garden whilst we worked.

"Another patient said they liked the fact they can walk about and always find new things - like a hiding hedgehog.

"A number said it brightened the ward up as you can see the colours from all around."