Wildlife mural created in Middleton as part of Kenya arts exchange

Tuesday, 15 September 2026 13:25

By David Murphy

Councillor Sue Smith (front) with the artists at Brook House, Middleton. (Left to right: Jamie Buckley, Victoria Firth, Ninah Tanya, Hayley Garner).

Artists from Rochdale and Kenya have created a 15-metre-high wildlife mural on Brook House in Middleton town centre.

The artwork on Oldham Road is part of an international exchange project focusing on endangered species and ecosystems.

The mural has been created through the Endangered Exchange project by Rochdale artist AYLO, also known as Hayley Garner, and Victoria Firth, founder of The Wild Mural Project.

They have been working with local artist Jamie Buckley and Kenyan artist Ninah Tanya as part of the project.

The artwork measures around 15 metres high and 10 metres wide.

It features a hen harrier, large heath butterfly, emperor dragonfly, sphagnum moss and wildfires.

The words "Save our tomorrow today" also appear in Swahili, while the design includes Kanga fabric associated with Kenyan culture.

The project has been developed in partnership with Lancashire Wildlife Trust.

Hayley Garner said: "Victoria and I came up with the idea of 'Endangered Exchange' - an international collaboration that could create vibrant community driven art that inspires a deeper connection between people and the planet.

"It's not just painting, it's about developing artists and giving opportunities they might never otherwise have had, connecting communities across the world and showing how creativity can bring people together."

Ninah Tanya travelled from Nairobi to Middleton for a two-week artist residency after spending the past year being mentored by Victoria Firth in Kenya.

She said: "This is the biggest mural I've worked on and it has been an amazing experience. I've visited Rochdale too to see the murals there, painted by artists I admire, and the town hall is beautiful."

Jamie Buckley is due to travel to Kenya next month for the second part of the exchange.

He will work with the other artists and local communities on workshops, wildlife research and a second mural focusing on Kenya's natural environment.

Victoria Firth said: "We only have one planet to live on, so we need to take care of it. I think this new Middleton mural shares a powerful message about our climate, and species that will disappear, as well as creating a connection between Middleton and Kenya."

Councillor Sue Smith, cabinet member for communities and co-operation at Rochdale Borough Council, said the project followed feedback from residents through the Middleton Co-operating "Our Town, Our Future" engagement.

She said: "This striking new mural is a powerful reminder that climate change is one of the greatest challenges facing our planet and the wildlife that depends on it."

The project is being recorded for a documentary covering the artists' journeys, mentoring and cultural exchange.

The UK stage forms part of the Rochdale Creates cultural programme and is part-funded by The Butterfly Effected CIC, Rochdale Development Agency and Rochdale Borough Council.

The Kenyan stage is being supported by The Wild Mural Projects, Caparol Paints Kenya and Turtle Bay Beach Club in Watamu.