Refurbished mosaic in tribute to Berrylands councillor Frances Moseley

Cllr Frances Moseley sadly died in December 2012 following a long battle with cancer, and a memorial mosaic was soon commissioned by the residents association on the Alpha Road estate in Surbiton to commemorate her for all the work she did for the estate.

However, over the years the mosaic became worn and water damaged.

This year, the residents association decided to commission local artist Kim Porelli  to complete repair work and weather-proofing and add a memorial plaque alongside the mosaic for cllr Moseley, who they remember as a “remarkable and strong woman.”

Chair of the residents association Mary Parmar, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “She meant a lot to everybody on the estate. She did so much for the people on the estate. Bless her, she did. And we were determined to get this mosaic redone and properly weatherproofed. So that this time it will last.”

Ms Parmar worked with the residents association to co-ordinate meetings over Zoom to decide who would redo the mosaic and how it would be put up.

Unveiling of the refurbished mosaic on the Alpha Road Estate. Right to left: Ed Davey, cllr John Sweeney, Chair of the RA Mary Parmar

But, as ever in England, weather proved to be a challenge, because the team needed a number of dry days to get the mosaic in place.

“By the time we came out of lockdown, we had August, and then we had September, and then it started raining,” said Ms Parmar.

“Eventually, we got two days that were dry together. She got the stuff up, and then we were able to put the mosaic back, and it does look nice now.”

The mosaic can be found mounted on a wall close to the Surbiton Children’s Nursery on Alpha Road.

The work was funded by the residents association and contributions from friends and former colleagues who donated through a crowdfunder website.

Lib Dem leader, and local MP, Ed Davey said: “I can’t believe it’s been eight years since we sadly lost Frances after her long battle with cancer. Frances was an amazing woman and one of the best councillors I’ve ever known.

“I’m delighted to see that with thanks to the work of the Alpha Road Residents Association, the mosaic has been repaired by a local artist so that we all can continue to remember Frances and the tireless work she did for our community.”