Friday 12 June 2026 saw the official launch of the first Bridgewater Line Community Comic Mural at Atherton Station, a project delivered by South East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership (SELCRP), using funding from train operating companies Northern and CrossCountry Trains.
The comic art, created by local artist Adam Frith and displayed large-scale on both sides of the station entrance walkway, tells the inspiring stories of two Atherton residents who have and continue to make a real difference in their community – Rachael McEntee (of The Snug, Hey Ho Let’s Sew) and Danielle James (of Craftopia CIC). Both women have created inspiring local initiatives and were present at the launch.
The project set out to highlight community heroes who may not have had their stories told, and considering that comic art is often associated with superheroes, it seemed like an ideal medium. Over the course of 2025, using social media and a range of in-person interviews, SELCRP Community Rail Officer Emily Oldfield gathered a range of community stories, with the final two chosen by public consensus.
A creative brief was then developed, before being presented to students at The University of Salford, who gave a range of fantastic comic art responses. Winning designs were selected to inform the work of commissioned artist Adam Frith, making it a truly collaborative project. The project was managed by Dr Steph Dermott and CRP Chair Julie Levy, printed and installed by SignPrint Solutions.
The comic brings to life the stories of Rachael and Danielle and how they have created real initiatives of positive change in Atherton. Rachael McEntee set up The Snug as a cafe and community space as well as a live music venue, championing grassroots artists and creativity in the Wigan borough and beyond. She also runs Hey Ho Let’s Sew, a haberdashery in Atherton, popular with the local community. Danielle James set up Craftopia CIC with the aim of bringing people together through crafting for wellbeing and better mental health. Craftopia CIC is now based at Atherton Town Hall and Danielle delivers a range of classes – with her drive for doing so informed by her own experiences of post-natal depression and wanting other people to feel that they are not alone.
Atherton sees the first of the Community Comic Murals on The Bridgewater Line – the line running from Wigan Wallgate to Manchester Victoria via Salford. It is hoped these murals will give the line a unique, recognisable and visually striking identity, with another mural due to be installed later this Summer at nearby Daisy Hill Station.
