Brightlingsea Lido has gained a colourful wonderwall of artwork, plus an illustrated book, thanks to grants from Brightlingsea WinterFest’s Wellbeing Fund and Essex County Council’s Arts and Cultural Fund.

The “Ebb and Flow” initiative was the brainchild of the Lido’s creative team, artists-in-residence Chrissie Richards and Becky Jackson and writer-in-residence Ruth Loten.

The three hosted a series of workshops involving people of all ages from the Brightlingsea community, producing 10 vibrant painted and collaged images, each focused on one chapter of Ruth’s book about the Lido.

The artwork was reproduced onto metal and now the 10 images and a storyboard have been unveiled on a fenced section of the Lido’s wall, next to Brightlingsea’s boating lake.

Chrissie said at the unveiling ceremony: “The artwork celebrates the 90-year history of the Lido and what it means to the town. Our workshops involved many different groups and members of the community and we are delighted with the colourful artwork. It is something that local people and visitors to the Lido will be able to enjoy for many years to come.”

Cllr Mick Barry, a trustee at the Lido, thanked the creative team, describing the project as the latest inspirational initiative at the Lido, which he said was “more than a swimming pool, it is a vital part of the infrastructure of the town”.