Thursday 22 October saw South East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership launch the second Community Comic Book Mural on The Bridgewater Line – with the artwork unveiled at Daisy Hill Station. The mural tells the story of a local man, Martin Eckersley, and his work with other volunteers at Daisy Hill Cricket Club Community and Veterans Garden. The artwork was designed by local artist Adam Frith, with input from students at the University of Greater Manchester. The project has been made possible with funding from CrossCountry Trains and Northern.
Over the course of 2025, using social media and a range of in-person interviews, SELCRP Community Rail Officer Emily Oldfield heard of many inspiring individuals in the Daisy Hill area, eventually (and by popular vote) choosing to focus on Martin Eckersley and the amazing work at Daisy Hill Cricket Club Community and Veterans Garden.
Martin has shown a real determination to create an accessible and inspiring place next to the Cricket Club, on land that was previously unused – now not only a thriving place of growth, but a space to connect with others and reduce social isolation. He actively encourages mental health awareness and has himself undertaken a range of training courses to further connect with the community.
The Bridgewater Line Community Comic Art Mural concept was inspired by comic book artwork and its potential to tell the stories of community heroes. SELCRP installed the first mural at Atherton Station earlier this year, with Daisy Hill being the second in the series, project managed by former Community Rail Officer Dr Steph Dermott and Officer Emily Oldfield. Considering that the line runs from Manchester Victoria to Wigan Wallgate via Salford, the murals are set to give the line a visually striking and unique identity, connecting people who pass through the stations with inspiring stories from within the local community.
CRP Chair Julie Levy reflected:
‘Celebrating the stories of local heroes in the heart of their community at their railway stations is a fantastic way to demonstrate the culture and values of a place to travelers.’
Local university students gave a range of fantastic comic art responses to a creative brief – with winning designs selected to inform the work of Adam Frith for the final mural design. The colourful, engaging artwork allows viewers to see Martin’s story come to life. It has been a truly collaborative project and inspiring to explore the great work going on in the Daisy Hill community. An event celebrating the mural and the people involved is upcoming.
