in the Oxford Mail 2013 – Painter Patrick Cannon feels a deep familial bond with Didcot Power Station—long before its construction, his grandfather and great-grandfather farmed the very fields on which it stands. Their company, Cannons of Milton, played a key role in the station’s construction, transporting essential materials for the cooling towers and later hauling away waste ash, which was used to build county roads. Reflecting on this history, Patrick has preserved the towers’ iconic presence on canvas, capturing them in glowing hues at dawn and dusk. His series of seven paintings has already attracted considerable interest, with three pieces selling for £500, £400, and £250.
Recalling his childhood, Patrick, now based in Wapping, East London, said, “I was born and raised in Milton and I could see the towers from my garden. I was always fascinated by them—the sheer size, the steam they produced. I’ve seen it in many different seasons, weathers, and lights, and they’ve always made me feel at home, a kind of gentle giant looking over my shoulder.”
The impending demolition of the towers served as inspiration for this series. “The decommissioning inspired me to paint them while they were still with us, to celebrate them and what they have brought to our community,” he shared. Patrick’s grandfather, George Cannon, who had hoped to witness their demolition, passed away just five months ago, just shy of his 100th birthday. Today, the paintings stand as a tribute to both the towers and the family legacy intertwined with their history.
