A photograph taken during the Rochdale Nature Roam with Rebecca Chesney. The image shows a street sign pointing left towards Rochdale Station, against a brick wall from which grow branches of a wild plant or tree.

A nature roam in Rochdale

Steven Dexter

1st August 2022

Exploring our relationship with place through the lens of the natural world, with artist Rebecca Chesney.

As part of our activities for the Station Gateway development, we wanted to chat with local communities about their thoughts on the area around the station and Milkstone Road.

To do this, we thought it would be good to walk and talk – it being summer, afterall. So, we commissioned artist Rebecca Chesney to devise a local walk where people could discover new aspects of their surroundings. All while feeling comfortable enough to raise issues and share suggestions for their place (and perhaps spark some unexpected ideas in the process!).

We met Rebecca outside Rochdale train station earlier this week and went off exploring. As her practice focuses a lot on the natural world, Rebecca led us through a process of mapping the flora and fauna around the area. Where are the green spaces and nature corridors around Milkstone Road? What areas are abandoned and can be used for community gardens and picnic spaces? What role does nature play in an Urban environment like this?

A collage off photographs from the Rochdale Nature Roam with Rebecca Chesney. The images show wild flowers and plants like buddleia growing through railings and walls near Rochdale Station.

A collage of photographs from the Rochdale Nature Roam with Rebecca Chesney. The images show a variety of plants and trees growing from, and around, the brick walls near Rochdale Station.

A collage of photographs from the Rochdale Nature Roam with Rebecca Chesney. The images show a variety of plants and trees growing through brick walls and metal railings around Rochdale Station. In one photo a hand holds the map of the route, while in another a hand reaches out to touch a leaf.

A collage of photographs from the Rochdale Nature Roam with Rebecca Chesney. The images show a yellow Manchester tram passing alongside an abundace of brightly coloured wildflowers. While in another photo, people on the walking tour stand looking up at trees.

On our urban roam, we discussed how gutters, rooftops, chimneys, walls and gaps in the pavement can all harbour many different plant species. And how derelict plots become their own ecosystems – playing host to flowers, trees, insects, birds, and even bats and foxes.

Together we mapped over 40 species of plants and insects right on our doorstep. And discussed ways to bring the natural world a little closer to home. All of those discussions will feed into the plans for the area.

A hand-draw map of the walk around Rochdale Station. To the side of a map is a list of more than 40 different species of flora and fauna that the group recorded on their walk. Including trees like silver birch, sycamore and rowan, and plants like spear thistle, ox-eye daisy and wild rose.

About the artist

Rebecca Chesney’s practice examines our complex relationship with the natural world, by engaging with issues of culture, politics and power. Her artworks, which take the form of installations, videos, drawings, maps and walks, are often created in response to specific places and are underpinned by environmental research.

Visit Rebecca's website

About the author

Steven Dexter is the Executive Producer for Local, an arts-led, creative placemaking organisation. They’re working with us to take a different approach to developing Rochdale, finding ways to include and co-create with our local community (i.e. you!).

Visit Local's website

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn