News / Roy Hackett
Wall that featured mural of Roy Hackett undergoing repairs
There are hopes a much-loved mural featuring Roy Hackett can be restored following repairs to a wall in St Paul’s.
A blank space remains where the painting of the late civil rights hero once stood on Byron Street after the rendering that supported the piece collapsed last August.
At the time, artist Michele Curtis launched a campaign to raise £10,000 to repair the piece, which formed part of the Seven Saints of St Paul’s project and also paid tribute to the campaigners involved in the Bristol bus boycott of 1963.
is needed now More than ever
Now, Emmaus Bristol has sparked fresh hope the mural will be restored.
The homelessness charity said in a Tweet: “Thanks to the help of BCC (Bristol City Council), our wall that featured Roy Hackett’s Seven Saints of St Paul’s mural is being repaired and will be left as a blank slate for artist Michele to reinstate the beloved mural.”
https://twitter.com/CleoDanceBaton/status/1557272464450895874
Tributes were paid across Bristol and beyond following the death of Roy Hackett at the age of 93 last week.
As a leader of the Bristol Bus Boycott, Roy helped forge a new chapter in the battle against racial discrimination with a campaign that made international headlines and he continued the fight against racism to the end.
Described as a civil rights hero, an inspiration to many and a community legend, Roy was also one of the founders of St Paul’s Carnival.
The fundraiser to restore the mural in his honour is still live and Emmaus has urged people to donate.
Michele Curtis described Roy Hackett as “a beloved community elder, activist and vanguard of the Windrush generation” – photo: Michele Curtis
On the Go Fund Me page, Michele describes Roy as “a beloved community elder, activist and vanguard of the Windrush generation”, whose story is vital to the history of Bristol and the UK.
Michele continues: “The unfortunate damage to his mural is a great loss to the community and city. I hope that with your support to share this go fund me with your network, all donations received we will be able to replace the mural of Mr Roy Hackett MBE.
“This isn’t just Black history; this is British history!”
Main photo: boomsatsuma
Read more:
- Bristol civil rights hero Roy Hackett dies
- Artist starts crowdfunder to help repair Roy Hackett mural
- Seven Saints of St Paul’s murals celebrate Carnival founders
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