Stunning murals celebrating local stories unveiled in Ashton-in-Makerfield

A striking set of public artworks have been unveiled in Ashton-in-Makerfield, with the community-inspired designs celebrating local identity and revitalising the town centre.

With community involvement at the heart of the project, five artists were commissioned to brighten up the town centre and celebrate the pride, history, and values of the local community.

A key part of the £6.6 million #OurFutureAshton regeneration programme, funded by UK Government, the public art project sits alongside improvements to town centre shopfronts, as well as plans for a revived market square that will host a range of traders and community events from next year.

Coun Dane Anderton, portfolio holder for regeneration and economic development, said: “The collection of public artworks are a fantastic addition to Ashton town centre. Not only do they celebrate local history and identity, they also brighten up public spaces and create a much more welcoming environment for residents, businesses and visitors.

“It’s also great to see the community involvement at the heart of this project, ensuring that local people connect with and feel ownership over the work.”

To maximise community participation, Tasha Whittle - co-founder of Manchester-based public art organisation Out House - was appointed to lead the public art project, engaging with the community to gather ideas and take part in choosing the commissioned artists.

Following a series of drop-in sessions and a public art panel, the commissioned artists drew heavily on community feedback, with Carrie Reichardt’s ‘Forged Together’ mosaic featuring references to Ashton’s proud industrial heritage and tradition of manufacturing.

The Bryn Street mosaic, serving as Carrie’s most ambitious project to date, is complete with 656 ceramic pieces featuring residents’ names or personalised messages, with contributions spanning generations from a six-week-old baby to a 99-year-old woman.

Meanwhile, Gavin Renshaw’s large-scale mural on the side of Scriven’s Opticians on Garswood Street reflects Ashton’s cultural heritage with a depiction of the former Ashton Baths. This much-loved landmark served generations of residents, particularly in its later years as a dance hall, entertainment venue, and community hub.

Designed as a vibrant gateway into the new market square, George Rose’s mural on the steps beside Greensway Shopping Centre also draws inspiration from a local landmark; celebrating the species and greenery of Ashton’s Three Sisters Nature Reserve as a symbol of transformation from its former industrial use.

With the help of local schools, Alex Goodwin has also been working on the transformation of Garswood Street shopfronts into a series of colourful shutter artworks, creating a vibrant trail of public art set to overlook the new market square.

The recently completed artworks follow on from the Titanic-inspired mural completed by local artist ‘Snow Graffiti’ last year, with Carl Tickle bringing to life the original ‘ghost sign’ advertisement for the 1912 voyage off Gerard Street.

Speaking about her involvement in the project, Tasha Whittle said: “I've really loved working on this project, especially with the artists and the many different community members I've met. Ashton is a generous town of friendly people with an openness to contribute, share stories, opinions and experiences.

“Community involvement is integral to this type of project and along the way I've relished hearing all the different stories and interactions alongside the artists. I've witnessed the magic of art and the importance of making space for creativity in our everyday lives.”