ROCK AND ROLL: Mural Group members with some of the fundraising merchandise. From left Charlie Ing, John and Jennie White, Paul Ing and John Trevor 			             TM pic
ROCK AND ROLL: Mural Group members with some of the fundraising merchandise. From left Charlie Ing, John and Jennie White, Paul Ing and John Trevor TM pic

LOCAL musicians are coming together for a fundraising concert to help save an iconic dale artwork.

The Save the Pittuck Mural concert is just the latest event organised by volunteers who are attempting to raise the estimated £10,000 to £15,000 costs needed to restore the painting, which adorns the east wall of St Mary’s Parish Hall, in Barnard Castle.

The mural was created in 1957 by artist and teacher Douglas Pittuck shortly after the construction of the hall. Restoration work was carried out 17 years ago, however, it has continued to deteriorate ever since and is in need of further repairs.

Three bands will perform during the evening of Saturday, February 29, at the Parish Hall, in Galgate, at 7.30pm.

Headlining the evening is Luke, Brownie and John with Catalina Rock Club and the Rackham, Yeadon, Payne Band also taking to the stage.

Band member and event organiser John Rackham, whose father was a friend of Mr Pittuck’s, approached the mural group about putting on the concert in an effort to help preserve the mural for future generations.

Jennie White, from the mural group, said tickets were selling well and they hope the event will increase awareness of not only the painting, but the other work of Douglas Pittuck.

She added: “John Rackham approached Paul Ing and said they would like to do a concert to help bring some money in.

“The tickets have been selling really well, though there are still some left.”

Tickets to the concert cost £15, which includes a pie and peas supper, and are available from Ingnet Antiques, in Barnard Castle, or by email pittuckmural@gmail.com

Following on from the concert the mural group has organised a three-week exhibition at The Witham, which will run from Saturday, April 4, until Sunday, April 26.

The exhibition will feature previously unseen works by the prolific artist that have been loaned by Mr Pittuck’s family.

Paul Ing, who is helping organise the exhibition, said: “We’ve got a mixture of things that he created and a number of the works will be for sale.

“The family are kindly offering to give some of these to help raise the money for the restoration.”

A booklet by Barnard Castle School year nine pupils, containing work inspired by Mr Pittuck’s drawings, is also being created as part of a class-work project and will be available to purchase at the exhibition. A Facebook group, Pittuck Mural Group, where members can share photographs of their paintings as well as memories of Mr Pittuck, is attracting a lot of interest since it was set up.