Jason Lowe explains the story behind the I Love You Will U Marry Me proposal at Sheffield's Park Hill flats, which he wrote for Clare Middleton.
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00 We're here with Jason Lowe who's called the iconic graffiti at Park Hill as you can see above us here.
00:08 Jason can you tell us a little bit about the story of the graffiti, how you did it and what it means to you now?
00:15 Well I was in a relationship with a girl, we were both having issues with services and we were really happy in the relationship.
00:25 The relationship was going strong but then services stepped in and basically ruined the relationship and caused it to end.
00:32 The proposal was, how do I say this, it wasn't a last ditch effort as what people say it was.
00:42 We've been together for over a year so there was purpose behind it.
00:46 It was, as everyone knows, a two finger salute towards the services that were involved.
00:52 But it was always about Claire and that she needed someone who was going to show her that they actually loved her.
00:59 I put myself through hell for that bridge to make it for her.
01:04 When I took her down to order and showed her, she called me a knobhead like most people probably would do.
01:11 But the conception is that it was a failed marriage proposal and it wasn't.
01:15 She said yes.
01:17 It's just a shame that we never got to the point of actually going through the marriage.
01:22 One thing that's always done me is that Claire has never been a part of the story when it is mentioned.
01:28 I'll say that in the press release once I'm doing the unveiling later with Sister Joda.
01:34 What are your memories of Claire?
01:37 She was kind, compassionate and she had a calming aura about her.
01:43 She drew everyone in. There are people who say bad things about her but if you knew Claire and knew her deep story,
01:50 she was very much a deep loved person, a loved life.
01:59 What does it mean to you seeing the graffiti still there all these years later and obviously seeing it used in merchandise and in the very popular play that's out now?
02:11 Sometimes I laugh about it but there is another story behind the graffiti which isn't today.
02:18 That story's not for today. Today's story is about Claire and the part of the bridge that you see is missing which is Claire's name.
02:27 To the left hand side of it, you can see very fairly, but everyone recognises me and gives me recognition for the graffiti and Claire gets very little.
02:38 So hopefully after today when the plaque and plinth is in place and it's on show finally,
02:44 the people will be able to marry them both up and she'll finally get that recognition.
02:48 Thank you Jason.
02:50 Thank you.