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A popular city artist has created an image of a building in Winckley Square to celebrate its ‘remarkable’ story.
David Robinson creates illustrations of landmarks across Lancashire and famous people.
His latest work features No.7 Ribblesdale Place, in Preston’s Winckley Square. No.7 has been the home of architecture, design and master planning practice FWP for more than six decades.
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The building was the home of Avice Pimblett, a pioneer of women in civic life and campaigner on the needs of women and children.
She was a woman of ‘Preston firsts’ being the first woman town councillor, its first woman alderman and first woman mayor. A blue plaque on the side of the office recognises her place in history.
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David was approached by FWP to create the illustration of the building. He recently designed a montage of Preston’s landmarks, famous people and characters as part of FWP’s major makeover of the Charters Restaurant at the Royal Preston Hospital.
The artwork was endorsed by Preston-born Nick Park, who gave permission to include one of his most famous creations, Wallace and Gromit, as a thank-you to NHS staff for their efforts during the Covid-19 pandemic.
David is currently working to create unique artwork for the new £1.4million digital and creative centre at Preston College.
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The artist handed over his illustration of FWP’s office to its managing director, who is also called David Robinson. It now has pride of place in the practice’s conference room.
Artist David, who is also known as Dave Rob, said: “It was a pleasure to capture this building for FWP as a piece of artwork.
“Built in what was Preston’s most desirable neighbourhood, the home of Avice Pimblett, a true pioneer and for the past 60 years FWP’s address in the heart of the city’s business district, it has a fascinating history.
“A lot of my work is centred around architecture and special buildings, which Preston has in abundance.
“We are very lucky where we are in terms of what we have in Preston, landmark buildings such as the bus station, Miller Arcade, The Harris – all beautiful, but also the parks and gardens and places like Winckley Square, Avenham and Miller Parks.”
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In the past Dave’s high-profile illustration work has included capturing Preston North End’s Deepdale stadium, FWP led on the redevelopment of the ground, and the city’s striking bus station.
David, FWP managing director said: “Dave Rob has done a tremendous job capturing our office in all its glory and the illustration, which now has pride of place in our conference room, is a real talking point among our team members and visitors.
“We’re all very proud of where we work. With its terrace and gardens overlooking Avenham Park and the river and its position in the Winckley Square conservation area, it is a very special place.
“It has been our home for more than 60 years and even has its own historian who has researched the building’s fascinating past.
“We are honoured to have the plaque recognising the many achievements of Avice Pimblett on our building and pleased to play our part in making it happen.”
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This story was made possible by you, our readers, and a host of organisations in the city, through our Crowdfund Lancashire appeal, which unlocked support from the Lancashire Culture and Sport Fund provided by Lancashire County Council. You can see all our coverage and, if you know of an arts project or event in the city we should be covering, you can submit it for our event listings and/or send details to contactus@blogpreston.co.uk for us to cover it as a story on the Blog.
