Harry Styles mural unveiled at his village station

In the quaint village of Holmes Chapel, a vibrant mural has been unveiled to honor the beloved pop star Harry Styles. This mural features Harry alongside the iconic Twemlow Viaduct, a location that is rumored to be the site of his first kiss. The mural serves as a heartfelt thank you to Harry for bringing attention to their small village. Despite Holmes Chapel having a modest population of around 6,200 residents, it has attracted an impressive number of approximately 10,000 fans, affectionately known as 'Harries', over the past two years. Local resident Howard Roylance shared that fans have traveled from as far as Colombia, Australia, Peru, and even Japan to visit the village. They are eager to see the place where Harry grew up and where he began his journey to stardom. In 2010, Harry took the train from this very station to London to audition for the popular singing competition, X Factor. Graham Blake, the station supervisor, fondly recalls selling tickets to Harry and remarked, 'He’s put us on the map. No one had ever heard of Holmes Chapel before. ' This statement highlights the significant impact Harry has had on the village's recognition. The local businesses are also reaping the benefits of this newfound fame, as more visitors mean more customers. To ensure the safety of fans, a walking tour was initiated last year after villagers noticed that many fans were risking their safety while trying to take pictures near a busy road on their way to the Twemlow Viaduct. Now, when fans arrive at the Holmes Chapel station, they are greeted by the stunning mural. The artwork, created by local artists Victoria Holland and Eamonn Murphy, draws inspiration from vintage railway posters. The mural depicts Harry Styles in a colorful outfit reminiscent of his appearance at the 2021 Grammys. Victoria Holland expressed her admiration for Harry, stating, 'I like his style, I like how funky he is. ' She believes that Harry's unique fashion sense reminds her of the legendary singer David Bowie. Fans have been flocking to the mural and the surrounding shops, making it a popular spot for photographs. Harry Styles occasionally visits the area, as his parents still reside nearby. However, Peter Whiers, the chairman of the local community group, acknowledged that it can be challenging for Harry to walk around without being recognized. He mentioned, 'It’s obviously difficult for him because wherever he goes, he would get mobbed. ' Nevertheless, he assured that if Harry ever wanted to visit, they could help him navigate the village discreetly. The locals have warmly welcomed the increased attention, recognizing the positive impact it has on their businesses, especially after enduring tough times during the lockdown when many small businesses faced closure. Peter Whiers elaborated, 'We’ve had some difficult years in terms of lockdown and then the economy. ' He also noted that even in cold and rainy weather, the Harries continue to visit Holmes Chapel. During the mural unveiling, Trish Cruise, a resident who moved from Liverpool, expressed her delight, saying, 'It’s just a really lovely thing. ' She reminisced about being a huge fan of The Beatles and how wonderful it was to visit the places they had been. Trish also mentioned that her granddaughters, aged eight and four, adore Harry Styles and sing along to his songs. Another resident, Nicole Hardiman, added, 'We all really appreciate what he’s done for the village. ' The mural serves as a token of their love and admiration for Harry. This new artwork comes just in time for the resumption of Harry's Home Village Tours, which are set to begin in April. Graham Blake, the station supervisor, is also a tour guide for the village walking tour and is excited to share Harry's story with even more fans.