Seeking Sanctuary

THE HERDS: Heywood

4 Jul 2025

Free to attend – no booking required

Date: 4 Jul 2025
Venue: Aspinall Street, Heywood, OL10 4HP

7–8pm

Free to attend – no booking required

Public art meets climate action in THE HERDS – a monumental migration of puppet animals on a 20,000km journey from the Congo basin to the Arctic Circle.

Is that a giraffe on Market Street? An elephant in Heywood? An antelope in Pennington Flash? THE HERDS are on the move…

THE HERDS abandon the bustling city for the residential streets of Heywood in Rochdale. Encounter the animals around Aspinall Street, Starkey Street and Mutual Street as they search for nature, accompanied by Global Grooves' rhythmic beats. Help encourage the animals into the tranquil gardens and picturesque lake at Queen’s Park. Can THE HERDS find a peaceful moment of calm within the everyday of Heywood’s lively communities?

Following THE HERDS, enjoy a live performance on stage in Queen’s Park by 9-piece Riot Jazz Brass Band. There will also be a programme of live entertainment at venues across Heywood town centre throughout the evening and plenty of opportunities to grab a pre-and post-event bite to eat in the many bars, restaurants and cafes in the town.

THE HERDS in Heywood is part of Rochdale's Greater Manchester Town of Culture Programme. Find out more Here.

After Heywood, THE HERDS moves to Pennington Flash Nature Reserve looking for a glimmer of the wild before continuing its journey northwards to the Arctic.

Photograph: Lagos. Kashope Faje, for 88 Life Studios.

The HERDS

Roaming through cities in West Africa and Europe, the animals are fleeing north to escape climate disaster. THE HERDS is a visual dramatisation of the climate crisis and a stark warning of what may come if animals are forced to flee their natural habitats.

THE HERDS is brought to life by the international team behind Little Amal created by The Walk Productions and led by Artistic Director Amir Nizar Zuabi, and brings together leading artists and arts and educational institutions across Africa and Europe.

Find out more →

Credits

THE HERDS Greater Manchester is produced by The Walk Productions in partnership with Factory International.

MIF25 Opening Event created in partnership with Manchester Camerata. With support from Landsec U+I.

The Heywood (Rochdale) event is produced in partnership with Rochdale Development Agency and Rochdale Borough Council, with support from Heywood Towns Board, funded by the UK Government.

The Wigan event is produced in partnership with the Wigan Council.

THE HERDS puppets are designed by Ukwanda Puppets & Designs Art Collective (Luyanda Nogodlwana, Siphokazi Mpofu, Sipho Ngxola), Craig Leo, Simon Dunckley, Hansie Visagie, Tundra Dunckley and Amir Nizar Zuabi.

Music THE HERDS are accompanied by Global Grooves

Post-event performance in the Park Riot Jazz Brass

Senior Producer Lee Brennan

Creative Learning Producer Annika Edge

Creative Engagement Alison Duddle, Cartwheel Arts, Create Rochdale, supported by The Old Police Station, Heywood

Production Management Graham Cruickshank, Neal McBride

Image: Ant Strack

Access information

THE HERDS is due to appear in the residential area around Aspinall Street in Heywood from 7pm on Friday 4 July. The event takes place in Heywood, between Aspinall Street and Queens Park.

The address is Aspinall Street, Heywood OL10 4HP and the what3words is events.popped.leaned.

The address for Queens Park is 158 Queen's Park Rd, Rochdale, Heywood OL10 4UY and the what3words is heave.sushi.nuns.

The Herds will commence in a residential area, as the animals explore their surroundings, before they find peace within Queens Park, Heywood.

THE HERDS takes place around the streets and public spaces of Heywood. The event will be a roaming event, limited seated within the park is available.

This event takes place outdoors. Flat, comfortable shoes and sun protection or wet weather gear (depending on the forecast) are recommended.

This is an event which reflects on the current climate crisis. It may include scenes which some might find upsetting.

Toilets are available at Queens Park.

Assistance dogs are welcome at these events.

The residential location is accessible with a wheelchair. The terrain within the park is accessible with a wheelchair, but the vantage position within the park is located on a gradient.

One-on-one audio description is available for the MIF25 Opening Event on 3 July, and will be delivered by our trained volunteers. If you have any questions about audio description for this event, please call our team on 0161 817 4531 (Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm) or email access@factoryinternational.org.

Aspinall Street

The corner where Miller Street, Aspinall Street and Mutal Street meet

Miller Street

Starkey Street

The lake at Queen’s Park

Food and drink will be available for sale near the bandstand at Queen’s Park.

Travel information

THE HERDS takes place between Aspinall Street and Queens Park in Heywood, Rochdale.

Travel information will be available nearer the time.

Visitors who aren’t able to walk to the event are being advised to use public transport where possible as parking in Heywood will be limited.

Parking will be available at:

Heywood Sports Village car park

Queen’s Park car park

Hartley Street car park, pay and display

Hornby Street car park, pay and display

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