In order to showcase the efforts put in over the last two decades, Kettering’s Civic society teamed up with UK Film School and volunteers to document the struggles of raising funds to revitalize historical mosaic created by Kenneth Budd.
“They say Rome wasn’t built in a day; the Kettering Mosaic will have found a new home after 18 years.” – Monica Özdemir
Following two decades worth of funding and research, artwork which was created by artist Kenneth Budd in the 1960s as a commission to ensure the new Kettering Grammar School stood out, has been recorded in a documentary after years of funding and study. On March 16th, this will be screened at the Kettering’s Odeon with appearances from those who assisted with filming, such as Monica Özdemir, the longtime secretary of the Kettering Civic Society and the inspiration behind the mosaic campaign.
In 2005, when Kettering’s former Grammar School building—now occupied by Kettering Boys’ School and Tresham College—was about to be demolished, the Kettering Civic Society launched a campaign to rescue the 45-foot-by-15-foot mosaic attached to the exterior wall.
Due to public funding, the original artwork could be taken down in 2007, but the mosaic, which was not constructed with frost-resistant tiles, fell apart while being stored.
Moviegoers will learn how Oliver Budd, the son of the mosaic artist, replicated his father’s work in the documentary made by UK Film School and a number of volunteers, financed by Historic England. Oliver Budd is overjoyed that his father’s work will be on display once more and has stated that he will re-install his father’s work so that he can ‘nostalgically retire’.
The filming took the directors and volunteers to Boughton House, the Alfred East Art Gallery, Wicksteed Park and various historical locations across Kettering town. Ensuring that the history of the mosaic and the area in which it was created in has been thoroughly explored. Victoria Wicks, an actress and the eldest granddaughter of literary great H. E. Bates, narrates and presents the story. As a means of sharing Bates’, author of ‘The Darling Buds of May’, connection with the town, the Grammar School, and the mosaic itself are remembered.
On January 5th 2023, when the last scene of filming for the mosaic’s installation took place in the Alfred East Art Gallery, the last piece of the mosaic’s jigsaw puzzle was added.
Monica states that “The Society is delighted that a new home will be found in the town centre where everyone can enjoy it and reflect on Kettering’s rich history. Funding for restoration and re-siting will come from the Historic England fund and Kettering Borough Council.”
