On Friday 12 June the first of the Bridgewater Line Community Comic Mural was unveiled. On display at Atherton railway station, in Greater Manchester, and delivered by South East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership (CRP) using funding from train operators CrossCountry and Northern.
The design incorporates inspiring local figures bringing them to life in a comic-book style, designed by local artist Adam Frith. The second of the murals is due to be installed at Daisy Hill Station later this year.
The project set out to celebrate local community heroes whose stories might otherwise go untold. During 2025, South East Lancashire CRP gathered nominations via social media and face-to-face interviews, uncovering many inspiring stories from across Atherton.
Following public input, two Atherton residents and their local initiatives were selected as the focus of the inaugural mural and were present at the launch; Rachael McEntee, founder of The Snug and Hey Ho Let's Sew and Danielle James, founder of Craftopia CIC.
Both women continue to make a real difference in their community, striving to promote inclusion and reduce social isolation. 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, also an Atherton resident, 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.
Their stories have been brought to life through a collaborative creative process involving students from the University of Salford, who responded to a comic-art design brief. Winning concepts informed the final mural designs by Adam Frith.
The project marks a unique CRP initiative to give The Bridgewater Line – the railway line running from Wigan Wallgate to Manchester Victoria via Salford – a distinctive and visually striking identity through community-led public art at stations.
Info
At the time of publishing, all information given is correct. Details of events, businesses, and locations included may be subject to change by third parties. Please make sure to check any details with organisers before you travel.
