A new wildlife mural has been unveiled on Bridgefield Street in Stockport to celebrate the success of Groundwork Greater Manchester’s Wild About Stockport project.
This vibrant piece of art, located opposite The Light cinema, was created by Stockport-born artist, Russ Meehan, also known as Qubek. Russ is one of Manchester’s best known street artists, who also created the famous Mancunian Bee mural in Manchester City Centre, in tribute to all those who lost their lives in the Manchester Arena Bombing.
Members of the community gathered in St. Peter’s Square on Saturday (22 March), where some of the 47,000 bulbs planted as part of the project have started to bloom. Over 40 people from local schools and community groups visited the new mural and celebrated the community’s involvement in the project, which has engaged over 500 local people since it began last year.
Stockport’s new wildlife mural was commissioned by Groundwork Greater Manchester, and part funded by Totally Stockport BID, to celebrate the completion of Wild About Stockport, an initiative which has succeeded in bringing nature back into the town, increasing local biodiversity, and connecting local people with nature.
Inspired by his childhood adventures exploring the local woodlands behind his house in Stockport, Qubek has poured his passion for nature into this mural. The artwork, which took approximately two weeks to complete, beautifully captures the essence of Stockport’s natural beauty and wildlife.
Since the project was launched last summer, Wild About Stockport has delivered enhanced greenspaces across four locations in Stockport – Suffragette Square, Bridgefield Street, Chestergate Street, and St. Peter’s Square, with final planting activities planned in May. Groundwork Greater Manchester has established a trail connecting the new mural to these improved greenspaces, encouraging residents to explore and appreciate nature in the town.
Lucy Stowell-Smith, strategic lead for urban nature at Groundwork Greater Manchester, said: “We are very excited to unveil this fantastic wildlife mural to celebrate the successful completion of our Wild About Stockport project. The project has had a huge impact on enhancing and protecting the town’s green spaces and the new mural complements these much-improved green spaces.
“We hope this mural, and the connecting trail we have created, continue to inspire people to explore, protect, and enjoy the beautiful green spaces we now have in Stockport.”
Groundwork Greater Manchester is an environmental and communities charity working with individuals and in places in Stockport where support is needed the most.
Thanks to funding from the UK Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, Groundwork Greater Manchester has worked in partnership with Stockport Council, Totally Stockport BID, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) to deliver Wild About Stockport.
