Over 100 residents contributed to a series of ten mosaics which have appeared as a trail on Bedford Road

Project director Angela McDermott next to the velvet shank mushroom mosaic, Credit: McDermott

A vibrant new mosaic trail celebrating urban wildlife in Waltham Forest has appeared in Bedford Road, Walthamstow.

Created by local resident Angela McDermott in collaboration with acclaimed mosaic artist Maud Milton, the project invited over 100 residents to contribute to a series of ten mosaics inspired by urban wildlife.

Funded by William Morris Big Local and Waltham Forest Council, the trail makers say their work aims to “reconnect people with nature and encourage exploration of the green spaces right on their doorstep”.

“There’s all kinds of nature right on our doorstep if we stop and look,” Angela said. “How exciting is that? And we can nurture more of it. We can all help make our city greener, healthier and wilder. In my case, I was inspired to work with Maud to celebrate the beauty of
urban wildlife through public art. I want kids to have the vocabulary to speak about the nature they see.”

Participants were asked to suggest things they’d like to see on the mosaics, with the rule being that they had to be wildlife you can see in a local street, park or garden. From peacock butterflies and damselflies to mushrooms, mosaics celebrating the rich urban wildlife of Waltham Forest were then created with Maud’s artistic hand.

The mosaics are installed along both sides of Bedford Road, adjacent to Lloyd Park. Angela says she was inspired to launch the mosaic project after reading The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane and Jackie Morris, which protests the loss of connection to the natural world around us.

Over 100 people, including many children, took part in the project

Residents have responded warmly to the trail. “The mosaics look amazing!” says local parent, Angela Shek. “Spotting them on the way home has been my daughter’s favourite thing.”

Another resident, Anne-Marie Smith, shared her family’s reaction, “The bee is a big favourite – we love looking out for it.”

Councillor Kizzy Gardiner said: “We’re so pleased to have been able to support the Bedford Road mosaics trail with ward funding. The mosaics are a fitting way to celebrate urban wildlife, and in the time they’ve been up have already been enjoyed by residents and the many visitors to the street on their way to Lloyd Park. It’s lovely to be able to support a project which will be in place and enjoyed for generations to come.”

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