Albion Garden

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Action Factory worked in partnership with Groundwork Machester, Salford and Trafford on a regeneration scheme in Charlestown, Salford. As part of the creation of a new community garden on a derelict site, residents had identified that some permanent all year round colour would benefit the scheme. The housing estate was built on the site of the old Albion Greyhound track and the scheme includes a mural with a traversing wall and sculptures of dogs.

We met with local people to find out their stories about the dog track and its dogs. The stories people told us were about dogs they know, pets they have, animals who live in the area and memories of childhood pets.

At the workshops, particpants made models of the dogs characterised in the stories using wire and modroc. From these models a storyboard mural design was created to include the dog characters and the mischief they get up to. The mural also features a traversing wall with pathways for the holds following the smell of pollen, petals and ice cream in thepicture. We selected some of the dogs to be made in to 3D features in the park. The pink poodle, sleepy labrador and playful spaniel were created using ferro cement and mosaic.

The artwork also incorporates words from poems written to remember 5 local boys who died in a joy riding accident. The words are cast in to a bronze leash which loops down off the mural on to the ground.

The garden is well used and maintained by local people.