Signs of the Times: new art exhibition launches at Mossley Station as local high street is celebrated

An exhibition using inspiration drawn from the vintage signage and advertising typography of Mossley’s local retailers through the ages has launched at Mossley railway station.

The exhibition named Signs of the Times, forms part of a day of celebrations taking place this Saturday (26 March) called Up Our Street, organised by Mossley carnival arts organisation Global Grooves.

The team delved deep into the archives at Mossley Heritage Centre. This is where Robert Walker, who works under the moniker Signs By Umberto, got his inspiration to create the pieces in the exhibition.

Since November 2016, the Victorian station has been notable throughout the area for a series of colourful artworks by local painter Chris Cyprus. Named Northern Lights, they depicted northern towns lit up by evocative yellow sodium street lights.

Eleven intricate sets of panels featuring his work have been fitted along the platform and in the station waiting room. Robert, who is also a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen, hopes the exhibition will bring the feel of a bustling olden days high street to the station.

Up Our Street, the day-long celebration of the local high street, is supported by the Welcome Back Fund, which provides councils across England a share of £56 million from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to support the safe return to high streets after the pandemic.

More information about Up Or Street can be found here.