Teen goes up the wall with climate message
Christmas toy appeal launched
A15-YEAR-OLD has designed a climate change mural which is on display in the town centre.
Mayokun Janet Alao’s design was chosen to be painted by a professional artist in Baillie Street ahead of the UN’S Climate Change Conference (COP26).
The design entitled ‘Taking Flight’ celebrates the increased number of grey herons resulting from concerted conservation efforts over three decades and also includes a floating water plantain.
Painted by teacher and community artist Bushra Sultana, Mayokun’s design is one of seven chosen across the country as part of the Grantham Climate Art Prize 2021 - in which the winners received £250.
“I hope my piece informs the people of Rochdale to care for the species around them,” said Mayokun.
“It was surreal to go to the town centre and see the mural there. Taking part in the Grantham Climate Art Prize has urged me to do better with my everyday life.
Before entering, I didn’t know how close to home the climate crisis was getting.
“The fact that the competition was catered for young people is one of the reasons why I found it appealing as often it feels as though young people - despite being strong advocates for solving the climate crisis - are left out of the important conversations that will inevitably affect their futures.”
Rochdale has the third largest heronry in the Greater Manchester area and grey herons are now protected under the 1981 Wildlife and Countryside Act in the UK after being heavily persecuted in the past because of competition with fishermen and fish farmers.
The project has been supported by the Touchstones Gallery who held a series of workshops with local children involving environmental experts Dr Joanne Tippett and Matt Sanderson from the University of Manchester.
Photographs of the murals, which were all designed by young people aged 12-25, will be seen by world leaders in an exhibition at COP26.
Mayokun added: “The climate crisis might sound like it is about the melting ice caps in the arctic or the deforestation in the Amazon, but it’s closer than we realise.
“This mural reflects how despite Rochdale’s beauty, like in the Pennines, our local biodiversity is suffering under our noses. It is important for the public to see the art around us as beauty, but also a means to being informed and engaged.
“It is vital for the voices of young people to be heard in all instances especially the climate crisis because if not dealt with now, we as a generation will be left behind with an Earth too far gone to be helped.”
The Art Prize was organised by the Grantham Institute - Climate Change and the Environment at Imperial College London in partnership with pioneering energy company Octopus Energy and young campaigners UK Youth for Nature (UKY4N).
The other six murals are located in Brighton, East London, Nottingham, Glasgow, Leicester, and Stoke.
Painter Bushra Sultana said: “I have really enjoyed being part of the Grantham Climate Art Prize 2021, working alongside scientists to promote - through art - the loss of our local species because of climate change. Climate change is real.
“It is happening right now, it is the most urgent threat facing our entire and local species and we need to work together as a community to stop this happening.
“The mural depicting local species of Rochdale, including the grey heron and floating water plantain, is on a large wall in the town centre where the people can reflect on what the images are portraying.”
Winning designs and murals can be seen here: octopus.energy/granthamart.
THE borough’s annual Christmas toy appeal has launched, to make sure local children who are less fortunate have presents to open on Christmas Day.
Residents in Rochdale are being asked to donate an unwrapped, new gift suitable for a child up to 16 years-old and leave it at your local library or Your Trust leisure centre.
Gifts for babies and teenagers would be especially welcome as fewer were received for these age groups last year.
Organised by the council’s staff-run ‘Giving Back’ charity for the past eight years the appeal will be accepting donations until December 10.
Last year staff distributed a record 6,000 toys, and will make sure the toys reach the borough’s less fortunate children in time for Christmas Day.
Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s services and education at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Last year we were blown away by the response from people and businesses in what was already a really difficult year. People’s generosity to the toy appeal goes a long way, we know it’s a challenging time for many but if you can buy an extra present then you’ll really bring some festive joy to a local young person.
“We’re also using the toy appeal to highlight the impact excess production and consumption has, encouraging people to donate gifts that use materials that don’t negatively impact the environment.
“So in practical terms that’s trying to avoid single use plastic, toys made of sustainable materials, using an eco-friendly brand or supporting a local shop.
“We’re also encouraging people to consider buying an educational toy that will help children develop practical skills.”
The appeal is organised by the council’s ‘Giving Back’ charity in partnership with Action Together, Rochdale Football Club, Your Trust, Petrus and Rochdale Town Centre Management.
Council policy advisor
Helen Walton, from the Giving Back charity, said: “The Christmas Toy Appeal is a way of spreading a little festive magic, ensuring children who have had the hardest of years have a gift to open, taking the pressure off their parents. It depends on the generosity of people and businesses in our borough, and every year it is heart-warming to see how many care enough to take part and donate. We know through our work with food banks and in the community that the day to day challenges felt by many local families only got tougher as a result of the pandemic and for many it will again be a grim time.”
You can also order a gift online and send it straight to the appeal. The address is: Giving Back - Christmas Toy Appeal, Rochdale Borough Council, Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU. Gifts will need to have been received by Friday December 10.
Helen added: “Christmas will be a struggle for thousands of families but we still want to make sure that every child in the borough wakes up on Christmas morning with presents waiting for them and with your help we will do everything we can to make this happen. We ensure all gifts go to local homes who need them most and I know from experience how much joy your gifts will bring.”