In the next few weeks, fundraising events will be held to help save
“Ron’s Place” from being lost for ever.
Gittins, a complicated, eccentric character, died in 2019. He left a rented flat piled high with bags, boxes, magazines, videos and handwritten notes, some in code. Along with the works painted and sculpted on to walls and ceilings are papier-mache figures and costumes he made by hand.
Although noone truly knew what Gittins was up to in his flat, he was well known locally and would sometimes have art work commissioned.
“Ron was friendly with the fishmonger in Birkenhead market and he commissioned a painting of him and his brother as Roman invaders to Britain in the fourth century, sacrificing a red mullet,” said Wallace.
It’s not on display. “The fishmonger’s wife hates it. It’s wrapped up in bubble wrap in the garage.”
“What is noticeable is that everyone who comes here has a kind of childlike response. There is something fascinating and stimulating and uplifting about it … maybe something a bit sad about it as well.”
The plan is for Ron’s Place to become a community resource, inspiring and stimulating creativity. Supporters see it as part of the wider cultural regeneration of the Wirral town.