An octogenarian artist from the UK has spent half a century meticulously creating a 30-meter-long scroll depicting the transformation of his hometown from a picturesque village to a modern town. Maurice Ivor Birch, aged 82, hopes that this artwork, showcasing the historical evolution of the town, will serve as a precious heritage for future generations.
Throughout media reports, it was revealed that in 1969, Birch, a self-taught artist, purchased a large roll of drawing paper for 10 shillings (equivalent to approximately 0.0076 USD) at a flea market in Cannock, England. His initial intention was to entertain his then 4-year-old son by drawing cartoon sketches of animals and reptiles for him to color.
“I used to draw some cartoon sketches of animals or reptiles and let my son color them,” Maurice told local media. “Originally, I planned to tear them up after finishing, but when I actually completed the drawings, I couldn’t bring myself to tear them apart. After about 80 sketches, I started thinking, ‘What else can I draw now?'”
Following this, Birch decided to depict his hometown of Aldridge in Staffordshire, where he has lived all his life. What initially started as a fleeting idea soon turned into a hobby that lasted for 50 years.
The artist painstakingly used pencils and ink to create a 30-meter-long scroll painting, bringing to life the old buildings in the town, such as the old Aldridge train station and the former Avion Cinema (now Wetherspoons pub). The artwork also captured various pubs, churches, hotels, shops, and farm cottages that no longer exist.
“I managed to draw the entire old street, which has undergone dramatic changes today,” Maurice said. “I depicted landmarks like the old Elms Hotel, Cook Cottages dating back to the 13th century, as well as the Old Swan Inn and Anchor Inn, but these vintage buildings are no longer there.”
“The long scroll consists of approximately 320 sketches, and I have essentially drawn all the notable buildings in Aldridge, showcasing their past appearances and current transformations.”
Despite many buildings disappearing over time, Birch drew inspiration from his memories, old photographs, and historical books to recreate his town’s journey from a village to a town.
This scroll painting, brimming with hometown sentiment, took approximately 2,560 hours to complete, with each sketch roughly requiring 8 hours of meticulous work.
Formerly a quality engineer, Maurice now enjoys a large family spanning four generations, with two children, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.
“I think it’s time to bring this to a close,” Maurice remarked. “I have filled up most of the scroll paper, and due to a stroke, I have lost feeling in my right arm.”
He views this as a beautiful history worth passing down to future generations.
Looking back on this journey, he expressed, “It’s a good way to ‘preserve’ the history of my hometown, and I hope this artwork can become a cultural heritage showcasing Aldridge’s past scenery.”
“In my childhood memories, this was the most beautiful village, and it remains a lovely place to live. I never thought of leaving this town,” Maurice added. “I always wished my children could see Aldridge as it used to be, and now they truly can.”