An unusual piece of artwork was unveiled in the subway at Rugby station last week.

The installation is a large colour pallet displaying 18 different colours, to celebrate the attractions and promote Rugby through the use of colours.

The work was created by local artist Stacy Barnfield and backed by the Heart of England Rail Partnership and Avanti West Coast.

Titled ‘The Rugby Colour Palette’, each of the colours were decided upon from ideas given at a public consultation.

A big part of the decision was influenced by schools and community workshops that were carried out by Jo Chalkblack’s creative producer at a Warwickshire storytelling collective called Ruby Road.

The project was funded by the Avanti West Coast Project Fund, while the Heart of England Community Rail Partnership sourced the assistance of Stacy Barnfield to aid in the creation and delivery of the project.

The launch was undertaken by Councillor Maggie O’Rourke, with the Mayor of Rugby.

School children from Riverside Academy and Rugby Free Primary attended the unveiling ceremony before enjoying an art themed workshop put on by the Heart of England Rail Partnership.

Several ideas were thought up by Stacy while collaborating with project partners.

The colour palettes cover the themes of Industry and Innovation, History and Heritage and Creativity and Culture, with all the colours reflecting the suggestions made by the public and the city of Rugby, with the intention that the artwork will encourage community conversation as they pass through the subway to and from their trains.

“I’ve learnt so much about Rugby, a town steeped in history and full of character. The colours hopefully tell just some of the story and I’d encourage anyone who has yet to visit, to consider jumping on the train and enjoying some time here.”

Artist Stacey Barnfield

Some names given to the colours on the pallet include Butterfield Brick, Market Apple, Webb Ellis Bronze and Spark Plug Pink.

Market Apple was decided upon as Rugby has been a market town since 1255, with the market still being a valuable community asset today, where people can buy their perishables.

Webb Ellis Bronze is in dedication to the young schoolboy who is believed to have invented the sport of Rugby, when he picked up a football and ran with it across the pitch in 1823, the colour is based on the statue that was erected in his honour outside his school in 1997.

The other colours each have their own stories and backgrounds.

Additional information can be found by walking along the subway at Rugby station. For those that cannot visit but are interested in knowing what the other colours are, more information can be found at https://www.heartcommunityrail.org.uk/rugbycolourpalette

Rugby is one of our key stations on the West Coast Main Line. But outside of those who live here, very few are aware of its wonderful character and history. We hope the new colour palette will help share the town’s story and encourage more people to visit.”

Sarah Sheldon, Station Manager for Avanti West Coast at Rugby

It was great to see the transformation that the colour palette has brought to the subway and to see the reactions on everyone’s faces when they saw it for the first time. The passion for Rugby has shone through since day one, and I’d like to thank all those who have played their part in bringing The Rugby Colour Palette to life.”

Julia Singleton-Tasker, Lead Officer, Heart of England Community Rail Partnership