A talk on historic murals created in the 1930s which are protected in a west Dorset library was a 'delight'.

Lyme Regis Library, in Silver Street, held the event as part of its 'Local and Community History Month' from May 15 to 22.

Titled 'Wyndham’s Hidden Murals at Lyme Regis Hospital', the talk provided an insight into murals uncovered from the former hospital in 1935, made by illustrator Wyndham Payne.

Leading the discussion on May 22 was Wyndham's grandson Paul, who was joined by an audience listening with interest about the murals' history at the former hospital in Pound Road.

The murals, measuring about seven foot in length, were given protection by Roy Cozens in 1992 after being covered over in the children's ward when the hospital was closed - before they were rediscovered in 2001 and again in January 2023.

Paul also donated a book to the library about his grandfather's work, a lot of which is now held by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

Wyndham is well-known for illustrating the first UK edition of The Wind in the Willows novel, written by Kenneth Grahame. 

Jo Hawkins, manager at Lyme Regis Library, said: “It was such a delight having a talk here in the library about the wonderful murals painted by Paul’s grandfather Wyndham Payne, as part of Dorset Council’s Local and Community History Month. 

"It’s a great way to present local history to the community, complementing our range of local interest books, and we look forward to hosting similar events in the future.”

To learn more about the murals, check out the video below on the history of the artwork: