Brush with the law
ARTISTS CELEBRATE HISTORY WITH MURAL FEATURING SERGEANT ‘SCARFACE’
A POLICEMAN who ‘struck fear into villains’ in Collyhurst a century ago is the star of a new mural celebrating the area’s history.
The huge piece of art, which now adorns a parade of shops, has been turning heads in the north Manchester suburb after it was unveiled in the past few days.
It took Tony Brady, 49, known as Kelzo, and Evan Barlow, aka Entise, nearly a fortnight, painstakingly working eight hours a day in freezing conditions to complete the sprawling mural on the gable end of shops on Southchurch Parade, off Whitley Road.
It contains references to the some of the area’s most famous sons – such as British and European boxing champion Michael Brodie and comedian Les Dawson, who both grew up in the area.
A number of local landmarks such as the old Collyhurst flats, the Sandhills Gate and May’s Pawn Shop on nearby Rochdale Road are featured, as is the Electric Circus club, which was the birthplace of the city’s punk music scene in the late 1970s.
One of the most striking images is that of a policeman in old-style uniform and hat. He is Sgt Alf Foster, a legendary policeman who patrolled the streets of Collyhurst in the 1920s and 1930s.
Sgt Foster served with the Grenadier Guards before joining what was then Manchester City Police in 1921 at the age of 25.
In a post on the history section of its website, GMP say: “He is said to have struck fear into the villains of Collyhurst and Miles Platting with his formidable stature – weighing in at 20 stones – and imposing presence.
“He was known locally as Scarface due to a deep wound across his left cheek. Many fanciful stories were told about how he had gained his scar – which no doubt helped build his reputation – in reality, he was wounded by shrapnel while fighting in the trenches.”
He retired from the force in November 1946, dying just a year later. Tony and
Evan decided to make him a key part of the mural after they were commissioned to do the work by Northwards Housing. They have also painted art pieces onto the shutters of the neighbouring shops.
Tony said: “This area has gone through massive regeneration. But this is about recognising the history.
“Even though it’s just one small part of the city, so many famous faces and influential people have come from here. It’s got amazing history. And Sgt Foster is a great example of that.
“And we’ve done this for the people of Collyhurst to celebrate it.
“It’s already really brightening the place up and making people smile and that’s exactly what we want. It’s really pleasing to see.
“Manchester has brilliant street artists and brilliant street art and it’s been proven if you do something good like this, people will appreciate it.”