Restoration work uncovers Tudor art

A rare type of wall painting dating from Tudor times has been discovered in Shropshire home after lying hidden for more than 100 years.

The 16th century painting, measuring 7ft by 8ft, was found during refurbishment work at 24 Broadway, in Shifnal. Workers chanced upon it when they made a small hole to put a new light switch on an interior wall which was constructed in the property more than a century ago.

Sarah Lowe, Shropshire Council conservation officer, said the hole revealed a painted pattern on the oak timbers beneath.

"Further investigation by the builder Adrian Pearson uncovered the largest-known depiction of the Shropshire Scroll pattern, a decorative design only seen in Shropshire," she added.

"The other known examples are less than half the size of this new find.

"The painting stretches over both the wattle-and-daub panels and the oak frame, and it has been painted in three colours.

"Other examples of the design are mostly depicted in one or two colours and are therefore not as dramatic."

The small, grade II listed building, owned by Karen Crangle, may yet reveal more treasures as Miss Lowe said the wall separating it from the neighbouring property showed promise.

She said: "It is highly possible there might be something behind that. I shall be looking into that shortly."

Permission has been given for the building to open as a restaurant although the owner has not yet found a tenant.

Martin Taylor-Smith, council cabinet member responsible for heritage and conservation, said: "Use of the building as a restaurant will mean that the wall painting can be easily visited and appreciated by residents and visitors to the town."

Miss Smith said the next job would be to bring in a conservator and paint specialist to examine the work and suggest the best way forward.

She said: "There is a prospective tenant for the building who is completely delighted that the painting is there.

"I'm hoping they will proceed to a lease and it will become a restaurant.

"The general idea will be to put a glassed screen in front of the painting so it will still be on view but protected."

Miss Smith said she was currently trying to find out more about the house and what it was used for.

She said: "We believe the house dates from the reign of Elizabeth I but the ancient history of Shifnal is scant."

By Simon Hardy