Open-Air Gallery for Newcastle-under-Lyme Town Centre
More than 70 eye-catching flags featuring original artwork from local residents are flying high across Newcastle-under-Lyme, bringing a burst of colour, creativity and community spirit to the town centre.
The large-scale outdoor installation follows a response to Newcastle-under-Lyme BID’s Castle Flags Art Competition, which invited people of all ages to submit designs exploring the theme “People and Place.”
The project received more than 150 submissions, imaginative depictions of what the town means to the people who live in, work in and visit it.
(Image by NUL BID)
Category winners:
- Up to 9 years: William Cohen, with a charming drawing of The Guildhall
- 10–17 years: Daria Zdyb, with a vibrant scene of girls at Castle House and Queen’s Gardens
- 18+ Claire Griffiths, whose striking design featured Shaws Chippy on High Street
Winning entries were selected by a judging panel made up of the Newcastle-under-Lyme BID Board and Team. The BID Board is composed of representatives from across the town’s business and education community, including Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG), Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce and Keele University, all of whom play an active role in shaping the BID’s work and championing local talent.
To make the project as inclusive as possible, a series of flag design workshops were delivered at Lymelight Festival, St Giles’ Church, Keele in Town, and Belong Village, offering creative opportunities for residents of all ages and backgrounds.
The submissions reflect iconic landmarks like The Guildhall, Brampton Museum and Queen’s Gardens as well as playful illustrations of local shops and vibrant street life.
“We’ve been overwhelmed by the incredible response” said Charlotte Pearce, Manager of Newcastle-under-Lyme BID.
“We’re so proud to turn the town into an open-air gallery celebrating the incredible talent we have right here in Newcastle-under-Lyme. The submitted designs are full of heart, humour, pride and imagination and it’s powerful to see what this town means to so many, young and old. Even Gregg’s sausage rolls were featured in submitted designs.”
The flags will remain on display throughout High Street, Ironmarket and Castle Walk for the rest of the summer, animating the streets and celebrating local talent in full view of residents, shoppers and visitors.
This community-led project is part of Newcastle-under-Lyme BID’s ongoing work to enhance the public realm and celebrate local identity through creativity and participation.
