Yesterday, I took a trip to the Annapolis Valley. We ended up in Aylesford, the little village where I went to elementary school. That was a few years back. It’s a nice little village and nearly an hour by bus when I was growing up. One of the things I remembered about the village was “the wall,” where young people used to hang out. I guess all small places have their “hang out ” spots. There was nothing fancy about the wall, it was just a wall that sometimes had graffiti written over it. Not so nice if I remember correctly.
Here’s what the wall looks like today. As we came out of the drug store the wall was directly in our view and I snapped these photos.
As someone who loves history, I simply fell in love with this mural. It’s like a step back in time, showing what this little village once looked like. I have no idea who the artist is, but I think this is such a great change from what used to be there.
Sorry about the ridge of snow blocking part of the painting, but that’s winter in Nova Scotia. This is such a wonderful idea and a great way to preserve the past. It helps makes us conscious of where we come from and how things have changed over time.
Laura Best 
Angela Wilson
/ February 13, 2013Wow! Thank you for these photos of “the wall” in Aylesford. I was never allowed to hang out there as a teen back in my day. I would love to know who the artist is, as well. I think I may look up one of my Aylesford connections (as this is my home town) and find out. I know Sally Horsnell was an artist and painted a picture of Harold Clem, who travelled the roads everyday and looked and sounded like Santa Claus. That portrait hung in Chisholm’s Pharmacy. I don’t know if it’s still there. I love going back in time and looking at old photos (and in this case, a painting of old photos)!
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Laura Best
/ February 13, 2013I was trying to remember Sally’s first name. She also had lots of painting at St. Mary’s school. I remember seeing the portrait of Harold in the drug store. I’ll have to make a point of looking for it when I get in next time. Glad you enjoyed seeing what’s going on in your old home town.
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tammy
/ June 2, 2014The artist is a Larry Leigh or (lee) …..
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Laura Best
/ June 2, 2014Thanks, Tammy! His work is beautiful!
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Helena
/ January 7, 2016I will look for the ‘wall’ the next time we visit Aylesford. Regarding the painting of Harold Clem holding the rose that hangs in Chisholm’s Pharmacy, it is representative of the rose I gave to Harold in 1969. I was Queen Annapolisa, Aylesford’s princess that year and when our ‘royal tour’ visited Aylesford’s school, where I taught, Harold was at the front of the group awaiting our arrival. When I saw him, I plucked a rose from my bouquet and handed it to Harold. He was so happy with it and it was a pleasure to be able to give it to him — a harmless, kind man. The moment was captured on camera and then Sally Horsnell painted it so that the memory would last ‘forever.’ The painting was originally given to Harold.
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Laura Best
/ January 7, 2016Thanks for this story, Helena! I’ve seen the painting of Harold and often wondered about the story behind it. That’s lovely! I also remember the day all the princesses came to the school! It was a proud moment for everyone. Queen Annapolisa. I’ve thought about you more than once over the years! 😀
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Darlene
/ February 13, 2013What a wonderful way to commemorate the past and freshen up “The Wall” I am finding more places are doing this and it warms my heart.
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Laura Best
/ February 13, 2013I think it’s a wonderful thing to do, Darlene. There are so many talented people out there. 🙂
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Diane Tibert
/ February 13, 2013I love it when they ‘decorate’ like this. Thanks for sharing.
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Laura Best
/ February 13, 2013You’re welcome, Diane. It really adds new life. 🙂
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jenniferneri
/ February 13, 2013We have a scene painted in our village, reminds me of this. Ill see if I can ever snap it & post it for you,
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Laura Best
/ February 13, 2013That would be great, Jennifer! 🙂
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florence fois
/ February 14, 2013Love the photos, Laura. And yes, this is a great way to capture part of our past 🙂
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Laura Best
/ February 14, 2013Thanks, Florence. 🙂 I was thrilled to see this beautiful mural.
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Carol Benedict
/ February 15, 2013What a beautiful mural! That’s such a nice way to pay tribute to the town.
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Laura Best
/ February 15, 2013It is beautiful, Carol! Just like a step back in time.
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cluculzwriter
/ February 15, 2013It really is a beautiful wall. What a nice treat, Laura. Thanks for sharing. Next best thing to being there.
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Laura Best
/ February 16, 2013Glad you enjoyed it, Joylene! 🙂
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David
/ February 20, 2013Much too often, we see a blandly-painted wall to cover-up the graffiti. Good for this town.
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Laura Best
/ February 20, 2013I agree, David. And I love how the mural captures the town’s history. Something near and dear to my heart. 🙂
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Kathryn Lily Nichols Rose
/ March 11, 2013Larry Leigh is the artist….answer courtesy of Gary Morgan : ) I love the mural on the wall. Aylesford really needs some sprucing up and this is a great start.
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Laura Best
/ March 11, 2013I think it’s great, too. And thanks to you and Gary for clearing this up. 🙂 I don’t suppose Gary knows anything more about Larry other than his name. Does he have a site, some place for people to see his work?
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Kathryn Lily Nichols Rose
/ March 16, 2013So this is what Gary says…he does lots of murals…travels to St. Pierre/Miquelon and other places to show off his art. Gary thinks he lives locally and if you really want to find him he works out at the gym on Greenwood base. Maybe he is on FB?? : )
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Laura Best
/ March 16, 2013Interesting!. I thought maybe he had a site I could share with some interested FB friends from the area. Tell Gary thanks for the info.I suppose he even knows what colour his sneakers are.. 😉
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Brian
/ June 2, 2014The name of the artist is Larry Lee. He is a long time valley resident and he lives (I believe) in the Kingston area.He is not on Facebook.
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Laura Best
/ June 2, 2014Thank you, Brian, for the additional information. It’s nice to know we have so many talented people in the area. 🙂
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