New mural celebrating Thomas Telford unveiled at historic Shropshire canal wharf

A mural honouring Thomas Telford and Shropshire’s industrial waterways has been unveiled at a historic canal wharf in Telford.

A new mural celebrating Wappenshall Wharf’s rich industrial heritage and the legacy of pioneering engineer Thomas Telford was unveiled on Thursday, October 15, as part of the site’s community garden project.

Located down a winding lane near Apley Woods in Telford, Wappenshall Junction is a significant canal heritage site featuring two Grade II-listed buildings, a skew bridge designated as a scheduled ancient monument, and the UK’s only transhipment warehouse built over water.

When it was built in 1835, the junction connected the Shrewsbury and Newport canals, helping to transport goods to and from Shrewsbury and fuelling the Industrial Revolution.

But with the arrival of competing railways, canal traffic dropped off and the canal was closed in 1944.

More than six decades later, the site was purchased by Telford & Wrekin Council and leased to the Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust, whose team of volunteers have been working hard at restoring the historic site.

After years of renovations, the smaller of the two warehouses opened as community café, The Welldeck at Wappenshall Wharf, in December 2025.

Restoration work continues on the larger warehouse as part of wider plans to develop the site into a visitor destination celebrating Telford’s engineering achievements.

On Thursday, a mural by Shrewsbury-based artist Adam Pekr was unveiled at the site. The new artwork will form part of the site’s community garden.

Adam said: “When I was approached about this project I knew I had to submit a proposal. I do murals for all sorts of settings and clients, but my favourites are always projects with purpose.

“This community heritage project just 20 minutes away from my home has been an incredible experience, all down to the dedicated volunteers whose passion shines through in everything they do.

“I hope this mural increases awareness of Thomas Telford and adds value to an already wonderful site.”

Bernie Jones, chair of Shrewsbury & Newport Canals Trust, said volunteers had been working at Wappenshall for more than 20 years, painstakingly restoring the buildings to realise their vision of creating a visitor centre celebrating Telford’s work and achievements.

“The mural really brings the history and importance of the site to life, showing the canal’s route and key sites at Shrewsbury, Newport and Norbury Junction,” he said.

Joanne Butler, head gardener at Wappenshall Wharf Community Garden, said the garden had been established to soften the landscape around the historic buildings, encourage wildlife, provide volunteering opportunities, develop new skills and enhance the experience of visitors.

The garden includes a rockery, herbaceous borders, a rose garden and a newly planted avenue of cherry trees. Raised beds also provide flowers and produce for the café.

“Adam has transformed an unattractive blank wall by creating an amazing focal point which brings the whole site together and completes the front of the Wharf,” she said.