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Plea for vets to keep animal mural painted in 1985

Ben ParkerSuffolk
Reg Siger Part of the mural, showing a cow, a parrot, a horse, a dog a two pigs.Reg Siger
The mural was painted in 1985 and has been on the walls of the waiting room ever since

A former vet surgery worker has called on bosses to keep a 40-year-old animal mural that she says is part of the site's history.

The operator of the Haughley Veterinary Centre says artist Reg Siger's mural, painted in 1985 on the waiting room wall, will not be destroyed, but will be covered up.

Anita Burrell, who had worked at the surgery for 30 years, said the mural was "recognised by everyone locally" and called for a change of heart.

A spokesperson for Inspiring Vet Care, which runs the practice, said: "We fully appreciate the history and sentimental value of the mural and want to reassure everyone that it is not being destroyed."

Reg Siger A mural is painted on the pink wall those shows a variety of animals including pigs, dogs, cats and birds. Below it is seating with notice boards resting above them.Reg Siger
The mural at Haughley vets has been there for over 40 years

Burrell said the mural was well loved locally.

"It's a comfort to those that are coming in to say goodbye and also a comfort to those that are bringing in kittens and puppies, to start on their relationships together," she said.

Siger, from Gislingham in Suffolk, said he was "a bit sad" to see it go, but the decision was "entirely up to the owners".

The subject matter was different to the artist, who normally paints buildings in Suffolk.

"I enjoyed doing it, it was a one-off. I haven't painted animals since," he said.

The artist said the idea behind the work was to make a place that can "sometimes be quite sad a little happier".

"Sometimes I use the vets to take the cat for a booster injection and I forget that I had done the mural. I see it and it brings a smile to my face," Siger said.

Contributed Reg Siger with a cat, he is wearing a brown top and glasses. In the background are beams and a painting on the wall.Contributed
Reg Siger usually specialises in paintings of buildings but did the mural as a "one-off"

The vet's spokesperson said: "We're refreshing the practice to create a more welcoming environment for our clients and their pets.

"The mural will remain in place, carefully protected behind new panelling, and we will have it professionally photographed so that its story can be displayed in a prominent part of the practice.

"We're proud of the practice's history and are committed to respecting it as we make these improvements."

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