A walk into Rochdale’s brave new world with Alan Dearling
The Lancashire town of Rochdale recently hosted the Common Walls International Mural Festival. The street art bonanza has continued under the stewardship of Rochdale’s own International award-winning artist, Hayley Garner (aka AYLO from Nomad Clan). She has just completed the additional major work. She says of it:
“ ‘Bent not broken!’ This mural tells the story of Betty Blomley, a woman from Rochdale folklore who was said to collect bent pins from the town’s wishing well at dusk. People would toss the pins in while making a wish, and Betty, living on the edge of poverty, gathered them up, straightened them out, and sold them on to feed her family.
For that, she was called a witch.
Like so many women throughout history, she was condemned for simply surviving. She was judged for her resourcefulness and her independence. This mural reclaims Betty as a symbol of resilience and quiet strength, turning an old story of suspicion into one of pride and endurance.
The red hood connects her to the Northern legend of Mother Redcap, another woman caught between myth and misunderstanding. Mother Redcap is said to be the guardian of the ale house. It’s told that she stands at the threshold of old pubs granting wishes and dealing out ill fate.”
‘Bent not broken’ by AYLO. SecaOne paints in sound and soul. His mural dives into Rochdale’s role in the ‘Madchester’ music revolution of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. Cargo Studios, 24 Hour Party People, and raw cultural energy. It’s vivid, loud, and rooted in a movement that still shapes the music of today. Lyrics leap off the wall, so ‘Why don’t you join in?’
There are still examples of earlier street art which saw world-class artists create large-scale murals around the town in the 2019 Rochdale Uprising Festival which were crafted by artists such as Nomad Clan, Tankpetrol and Curtis Hylton. Each one was inspired by a sense of the place and heritage of Rochdale. Some are now beginning to decay, but it kind of adds to the patina. The new murals have helped to create a new sense of civic pride, but are also vibrant and help to create a new town-scape. The process of creativity continues.
Seven of them from ‘Common Walls’ were shortlisted for the Street Art Cities Awards 2025 as best new art in the world.
Featured Artists included Insane 51, Smug, and Anor, who all participated in the festival.
On-line link:
https://www.facebook.com/reel/792155233203756
The official comment on the Common Walls’ street art is that it has, “Added a fresh chapter to the town’s story while creating landmarks that will last for years to come.”
