SELCRP projects in Wigan
We are proud to be working with Avanti West Coast to develop three community projects based in or around Wigan North Western station. These projects are:
Underpass Mural
- Our Wigan North Western Mural project aimed to transform an area of the station through a piece of community art that would represent a sense of pride in the local area
- SELCRP developed an artistic brief to find a local artist to lead on the project, with a key aspect of the design process being reliant on significant community engagement
- We interviewed a number of artists, before selecting lettering artist, Jess Riley, whose unique design concept of an A to Z of ‘Wiganese’ was an exciting and bold idea to brighten the white walls of the underpass
- As a team we first conducted the community engagement elements of the project, before Jess then began her design process, working closely with the CRP Officer to create the final design
- The project tried to involve as many local people of all ages, genders and backgrounds as possible, through a variety of methods including workshops, social media campaigns, in-person surveys and postboxes housed with a range of independent businesses
- Participants were asked to nominate their favourite Wigan words and phrases, as well as local landmarks and things they love about Wigan
- The result was a vast collection of data, from which the artist was then able to develop an inspired design for the underpass that she hoped would brighten up the area and ‘bring a smile to peoples faces’
- The completed mural was unveiled by the Mayor of Wigan at a launch event on 9th November
- More information about the mural can be found on our website – https://www.southeastlancscrp.org.uk/wigan-north-western-mural/
Community Rail Trail
- SELCRP have created a self-guided trail from Wigan North Western to Bolton, funded by Avanti West Coast
- The route links local stations and places of interest along the way to highlight the area’s rich industrial and social history, and to promote local businesses such as cafes, pubs and shops along the route
- Maps, interactive route guides and information are available on our website – https://www.southeastlancscrp.org.uk/community-rail-trails/ and interpretation boards can be found at all stations along the route
Swan & Railway Meadow & Beehives
- This project aimed to transform a piece of wasteland owned by Network Rail, situated behind the Swan & Railway Pub opposite Wigan North Western station, into a wildflower meadow with low growing fruit bushes and three beehives
- The beehives will provide fresh, local honey, and also stimulate the development of a start‐up social enterprise to sell the produce
- The project aimed to provide opportunities for partnerships and collaborations with multiple local stakeholders including community groups and charities, local businesses, commuters, station staff, and local authority organisations such as the library, schools & colleges
- After a successful transformation, phase two of the project to maintain the meadow, install a new community art mural and develop the honey social enterprise will begin in Summer 2023
Press Coverage:
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Station Friends/Adopters in the Wigan area
Friends of Hindley Station
- FOHS is an exemplary station adoption group who have undertaken extensive work including the creation of large platform gardens, installation of information boards, a community allotment and engagement with a range of local community groups, schools and charities.
- Volunteers regularly attend the station, and Sheila Davidson (Secretary of FOHS) has received numerous awards for her longstanding and consistent volunteering work both at the station and in the surrounding local community
- For more information please visit ‐ https://www.facebook.com/groups/395416078026114
