Spectacle and Sustainability: Thousands Gather in Heywood to Welcome THE HERDS

Posted by on 7 Jul 2025

A majestic parade of life-sized safari animals captivated over 9,000 people in Heywood on Friday 4th July, as THE HERDS made a dramatic arrival in the town.                           

Created by The Walk Productions as part of Manchester International Festival, THE HERDS is an ambitious artistic project highlighting the global climate crisis. The awe-inspiring procession of giraffes, lions, antelope, and monkeys, crafted from sustainable materials including upcycled cardboard and plywood, has travelled thousands of kilometres from Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, via Africa and Europe, before reaching Heywood.

Set against the backdrop of Queen’s Park, the animals’ journey continued through Heywood’s residential streets before arriving lakeside to moving scenes accompanied by the rhythms of Global Grooves, a celebrated carnival arts company. The performance was followed by an energetic open-air concert from festival favourites Riot Jazz, bringing the crowd to its feet in the park’s outdoor theatre.

The event offered more than spectacle. In Queen’s Park, the Climate Co-Operators marquee became a hub of local climate action, showcasing community-led innovation, resilience, and practical steps for reducing environmental impact, connecting residents with initiatives driving real change on the ground.

Councillor Tricia Ayrton, cabinet member for climate change and environment at Rochdale Borough Council, praised the event: “To see this menagerie of life-size puppet animals and so many people coming out to support it here in Heywood was fantastic, and the lake in our beautiful Queen’s Park provided a perfect backdrop. There were so many young people in the crowd, which is so important. It’s vital that they understand and get involved, as events like this really do help to spark conversations about our world and ways we need inspire real change. THE HERDS creativity has the power to inspire, provoke thought and drive change and they are a stunning representation of the twin crises of climate change and biodiversity loss and the journey we must all make towards a brighter future.” 

Local businesses also benefitted from the celebration, with Heywood’s cafes, restaurants and bars reporting strong trade, extended hours and live entertainment. This economic boost reflects the wider ambition to unlock the potential of our town centres through culture, creativity and visitor engagement.

Organised by the RDA and Rochdale Council in partnership with Heywood Town Board, THE HERDS visit forms part of Rochdale’s vibrant programme as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture 2025–26, celebrating the borough’s creativity, heritage and community spirit. It also exemplifies RDA’s commitment to supporting inclusive growth, where environmental care, cultural expression, and economic opportunity go hand in hand.

THE HERDS now continues its journey through Scandinavia and towards the Arctic Circle.

Manchester International Festival continues to feature in Rochdale Town of Culture event calendar for two more weeks. Highlights include a major new work by artist Shilpa Gupta, You Are The Place, a multilingual sound installation at the Rise Inavate Centre, featuring voices of local residents.