An event to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the opening of the first legal graffiti wall in Caerphilly county borough will take place this Friday.
The ‘Wreck Jam’ event will take place this Friday 28th August at Caerphilly Skate Park, to the rear of Caerphilly Leisure Centre, beginning at 11.30am.
In the year since the legal graffiti wall was opened, it has provided people from across the Caerphilly county borough with a place where they can pursue their hobby of graffiti art, but in a completely legal way.
It has also helped significantly in reducing the amount of graffiti being sprayed on buildings and other property in Caerphilly town centre and the surrounding area.
Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Lyn Ackerman said, “The legal graffiti wall has to date been a very well used facility, and has significantly aided in reducing the amount of graffiti being sprayed illegally throughout the Caerphilly town centre area.
Let us not forget that spraying graffiti on buildings and other property is criminal damage, therefore I would encourage the small minority who feel it is acceptable to carry out such behaviour to come along and make full use of the excellent facility that is the legal graffiti wall.
The event this Friday promises to be a very interesting day and I would encourage as many people as possible to come along and help us mark the one year anniversary of the opening of the wall.”
Neighbourhood Sergeant, Gavin Clifton said, “Over the last year we have seen the number of reported incidents of graffiti across Caerphilly reduce by a half, compared to the previous year.
The graffiti wall appears to have been well used during this time, which is very pleasing. We are continuing to encourage youths to make use of this facility as if anyone is caught spraying graffiti illegally on local buildings or street furniture, then we will take appropriate action against them.”
The ‘Wreck Jam’, which is being sponsored by Oner Signs and Leisure, is being organised to continue to raise the profile of the legal graffiti wall, and will feature dance performers, music and light refreshments.
There will also be demonstrations from professional graffiti artists from across the UK, who are coming to the area specifically for the event. In addition, a legal graffiti art competition will also take place under the supervision of a professional graffiti artist.
Participants have been asked to produce a paper copy of their idea around a “Cauldron and Furnaces” theme. The winning entry will then be reproduced on the legal graffiti wall on Friday.
Young people that attend the event will also be informed of the laws surrounding graffiti and the fact that spraying graffiti on buildings and other property is criminal damage – it will also be reinforced to people that the legal graffiti wall is there so that people can take part in their hobby of graffiti art in a completely legal way.
The wall itself was funded primarily by the Safer Caerphilly Community Safety Partnership, which incorporates agencies including Caerphilly County Borough Council and Gwent Police. It works to reduce levels of crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour in the Caerphilly county borough.
To find out more about the ‘Wreck Jam’ event, please contact Gary Meale on 01495 235 623 or email [email protected]
