Thomas Wolsey pub unveils new mural celebrating Sheeran gig
A new mural has been unveiled at the Thomas Wolsey pub in Ipswich, created by local artist Maddie Willis to mark Ed Sheeran's surprise gig at the venue, with Mayor Pat Bruce-Browne on hand for the unveiling.
Why it matters: The mural gives the pub a lasting reminder of the time Sheeran turned the venue into "The Old Phone" for a surprise gig - as well as shining light on local artistic talent.
The details: The mural includes several personal touches, including the pub owner's dog, an ITFC flag, Portman Road stadium in the background, and pints of Guinness.
Willis said the process came with a couple of setbacks along the way. "I had to stop for two days because of the rain, which is quite annoying," she said. Despite the delays, she said seeing the finished piece has been rewarding: "It's nice you can sort of see it as you're driving down the road too. It catches your eye."
What they're saying: Willis said she valued being given the freedom to interpret the brief herself. "It's nice someone's trusting me to do it, and to sort of get on with it," she said. She also highlighted the response from the local community while she worked on the mural. "It's been really nice having conversations with people, hearing feedback," she said. "It's such a pleasure."
Pub owner Damon Jeffery said the mural reflects what the pub means to the town. "It's about Ipswich, we've been named home pub by the home fans. Which is wicked, amazing," he said. "It's about passion."
For context: Sheeran, who grew up in nearby Framlingham, performed a surprise, hour-long gig at the pub, temporarily renamed "The Old Phone" after his single of the same name, ahead of announcing a series of shows at Portman Road. The gig drew visitors from as far afield as Manchester and Liverpool, along with messages of support from fans in Australia and New Zealand. The pub reverted to its usual name once the show was over.
The bottom line: More than a year on from Sheeran's visit, the Thomas Wolsey now has a permanent piece of art marking the occasion, with Willis calling the experience of creating it "such a pleasure."
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