MOSSLEY Market Ground will be transformed into a spectacular open-air gallery of colour, creativity and community spirit as 100 hand-painted silk flags take flight during the monthly farmers’ market.
The exhibition will be staged on Sunday, August 31, from 9am to 5pm, running alongside the regular market.
Standing between three and six metres tall, the striking artworks cover more than 540 square metres of fabric – the equivalent of half a kilometre if laid end to end – and soar higher than Blackpool Tower.
Each flag has been created by communities across Greater Manchester, telling stories of resilience, pride and hope.
The Flags of Hope Exhibition is the first of its kind, presented by Mossley-based organisations Global Grooves and Cabasa CIC in collaboration with Mossley Town Council, and made possible thanks to the support of local artists and volunteers.
Flags have long marked identity and belonging. Here, they symbolise something greater: resilience, unity and shared pride.
Rooted in Mossley’s industrial heritage, when the town’s mills powered a global textile trade, the project reimagines that legacy for the 21st century, bringing textile artistry back to the town as a symbol of collaboration and creativity.
Leon Patel, CEO of Global Grooves, said:
“Flags carry power and meaning. In Flags of Hope, that power comes from people, from schoolchildren, care home residents, local artists and volunteers who have all contributed their voices. These flags are not about division, they’re about welcome, pride and creativity. Together, they show what can be achieved when communities come together to listen, share and create.”
Emily Wood, Artistic Director of Cabasa CIC, added:
“This is art made with, by and for the people of Greater Manchester. Every flag tells a story, a memory, a poem, a hope for the future. When they stand together, they become something much bigger: a shared expression of resilience and belonging. We hope people will come and experience the exhibition and feel part of a movement that celebrates community through creativity.”
Dave Jones, Chair of Mossley Town Council, said:
“We’re proud to support this project which shines a light on Mossley’s heritage while celebrating its vibrant present. Flags of Hope is a reminder of what makes our town and our communities special, people coming together, working side by side, and creating something extraordinary.”