Young people representing the Trent Bridge Community Trust's Positive Futures project have completed work on a mural designed to welcome international cricket supporters to the county during the Investec Ashes Series.
Their community art installation depicts the history of Ashes contests at Trent Bridge and will adorn a previously blank site surrounding Nottinghamshire County Council's building, Trent Bridge House.
The group spent two days adding detail to the images which were hand drawn by local artists before Councillor John Knight, Committee Chairman for Culture at Nottinghamshire County Council, unveiled the completed work on Monday.
"An Ashes Test is a global sporting event with sell-out crowds and a huge TV audience but our challenge has been to harness it for the benefit of our communities." Tracey Francis
“This mural is a fantastic example of community work and we are very excited that the work of young people will enjoy such a good profile during this Ashes summer," said Councillor Knight.
“The mural also promises to provide a lasting legacy, promoting the heritage of cricket in Nottinghamshire and Trent Bridge and capturing the excitement of this summer of cricket.”
The installation is one of several projects led by the Trent Bridge Community Trust, the chaitable arm of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, as part of an ongoing commitment to the Ashes Legacy Partnership, the united banner of English and Australian venues chosen to host Ashes Test Matches.
Trent Bridge is the only venue outside of London chosen to host Ashes Tests both this year and in 2015 after a successful bid which gained plaudits for its commitment to community projects.
"An Ashes Test is a global sporting event with sell-out crowds and a huge TV audience but our challenge has been to harness it for the benefit of our communities," said Tracey Francis, Head of Community Sport at Trent Bridge.
"It is impossible to place a value on the pride these young people will take away from being involved in a project like this which they have led from the outset.
"This is the first step in a major roll-out which will culminate during the game itself and we want to ensure that Nottinghamshire residents feel part of our Ashes Test even if they haven't bought tickets."
The Trent Bridge Community Trust, Nottinghamshire County Council and other key partners will support further elements of the Ashes Legacy Partnership including the deployment of a team of 80 volunteers to support the delivery of the match itself.
Street performers will entertain ticket holders on their journey to the venue with musicians and actors staging performances on public transport and key walking routes to the ground.
Tickets for the match sold out within hours of going on sale but community groups that have contributed to key projects have been presented with complimentary tickets to watch the action unfold.