Local lady inspires village with paving slab artworks

People in a Kent village have hailed Vicky Thomas a “shining star” and “hero” after she created nearly 200 paving slab artworks, throughout the pandemic.

These artworks began to pop up in different locations around the village of River, near Dover, and a “slab trail” soon developed, with residents desperate to find the newest creations.

Creator of these thought-provoking slab designs, Vicky Thomas, said she was first inspired by the “rainbows in people’s windows”, but because her house is set back from the road, she designed an old paving slab instead, and placed it against her front wall.

Vicky said: “I don’t consider myself arty at all, I didn’t even take it at GCSE. I’m just happy to have a go.”

Each slab has an uplifting, painted graphic, in the hope of raising people’s spirits during these trying times. Some have cheerful and poignant slogans, including “better days are coming”.

Vicky said: “The response has been overwhelming. The River slab trail has become a source of entertainment and the village are really proud of them. Despite not being a key worker, it’s made me feel that I’m contributing in some way.”

The parish council has bought about 35 of the slabs in exchange for a charitable donation. Vicky chose to split this donation between Pilgrims Hospice and Genetic Disorders UK, for whom she ran the Virtual London Marathon for, back in October.

Chairman of River Parish Council, Clive Taylor, said: “It is our intention to mount some on walls around the village as a permanent memorial of the awful times that we have all endured. We are planning to arrange a little ceremony to mark the occasion.”

Resident and councillor, Christiane Atkins, said: “I love the artwork! It has made River residents smile at a very difficult time.

“I find it very important that they are conserved and remembered for generations to come.”