The Search for Sixties Guildford Art Teacher and Students

Published on: 5 Jul, 2021
Updated on: 9 Jul, 2021

The mural at Kettering Grammar School

The search is on for a Guildford art teacher and two of his students who created an iconic artwork in Kettering, Northamptonshire.

Kenneth Budd at ground level with teacher Ted Ward, his wife June and family, at first-floor level, and students Mick and Ding at the top.

In 1962, Guildford art teacher Kenneth Budd, and two students Mick and “Dinger”, created a 45 feet by 15 feet mosaic on the Kettering Grammar School. Mr Budd is thought to have taught at Guildford Art School that was co-located with Guildford Technical College in the Sixties.

The mosaic was an abstract version of Kettering’s coat of arms and images including Kettering’s industrial and religious history.

In 2007, Kettering Civic Society saved the mosaic from demolition and it was Kenneth Budd’s son, Oliver, who removed the pieces from the building.

Since this time the mosaic has been stored whilst funding and a new site could be found. Eventually, last year, Kettering Council was fortunate in obtaining government funding for the High Street and the mosaic will form a focal point in the public realm.

Now the images within the mosaic once again on show, and the story of its creation again being told, the Kettering Civic Society, with funding from Historic England, has engaged the UK Film School to make a documentary. They intend to explore the work of mosaic artist Kenneth Budd who went on to create many more large mosaics around the country.

Another photo taken on-site, artist Kenneth Budd with pipe with his wife, another June, their children and students Mick and Ding.

Monica Ozdemir, secretary of the Civic Society now hopes to make contact with Mick and Dinger or their relatives to know more and to add their story to the documentary. Perhaps Guildford will learn more about these 20th-century artists and their contributions too?

If you have any information that you think might help please contact The Guildford Dragon NEWS at: guildford.dragon@gmail.com or use the “Leave a reply” feature below.

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