Rochdale Culture Awards Crown Winners at Town Hall Ceremony
The Rochdale Culture Awards celebrated the borough's vibrant creative community with a ceremony at Rochdale Town Hall, honouring individuals, artists, and organisations that have made significant contributions. The event, held during the closing weekend of Rochdale's year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025-26, saw seven awards presented from a pool of 19 finalists.
Creative of the Year: Hayley Garner
The Creative of the Year award was awarded to Hayley Garner, a multi-disciplinary artist and curator of the popular Common Walls International Mural Festival. Born in Rochdale, Garner has brought bold, large-scale murals to Rochdale and Heywood, transforming public spaces with her work that explores human connection, emotion, and perspective. Recently, she mentored young artists as part of the FAB Youth Arts Festival, further supporting the local creative scene.
Cultural Event of the Year: Darnhill Festival
The Cultural Event of the Year award went to the Darnhill Festival, organised by Cartwheel Arts in collaboration with the Darnhill Festival Association and local partners. This community-led annual festival highlights creativity, resilience, and humour, bringing families together through the arts. Last year, it attracted over 2,000 visitors and empowered youth voices through its young producers' programme, praised for its carnival energy and strong sense of belonging.
Double Win for Skylight Circus Arts
Skylight Circus Arts achieved a double success, winning both the Health and Wellbeing Award and the Community Award. The organisation provides inclusive circus workshops across the region for all ages, backgrounds, and abilities, along with live shows at events and festivals. Through classes, school sessions, and community work, they create spaces where people can build confidence, connect with others, and improve their wellbeing.
Other Award Winners
The Young Creative of the Year award was presented to Rochdale indie-rock band PoolEra, known for their melodic guitar sound and energetic shows. Formed while at school in Milnrow, the band has a rapidly expanding fan base and mentors young producers, visits youth groups, and creates opportunities for emerging artists.
South Asian Heritage Rochdale won the Heritage Award for growing the South Asian Heritage Festival at Rochdale Town Hall into a large celebration of history, identity, and lived experience, featuring music, dance, food, fashion, and heritage from South Asia.
M6 Theatre Company, which produces imaginative shows for children and young people, received the Cultural Legacy Award.
Special Recognitions and Performances
Special thanks were given to Hebe Reilly, who recently stepped down as creative director and chief executive of Cartwheel Arts, for her enormous contribution to the borough, including chairing the Rochdale Borough Culture Network over the past four years.
The event featured performances by singer-songwriter Ellysse Mason, a reading from Rochdale's Poet Laureate Sammy Weaver, and a beautiful performance by Middleton-based Tracing Steps Theatre and Dance Company. There was also a live artwork demonstration by Zairah Life and a set by DJ Zak Gurnah.
Official Statements
Pete Courtie, head of culture and placemaking at Rochdale Development Agency, said: "Rochdale has certainly been at the forefront of culture in Greater Manchester over the last year, brimming with creativity. These awards, which we would like to see become an annual event, helped celebrate the artists, innovators, community activists, and organisations who are using culture and creativity to make a real difference. Congratulations to all the winners and finalists."
Estelle Rowe, chief executive of Your Trust, added: "The standard amongst our finalists was very high, and it was incredibly difficult to pick the winners. We were so proud to be part of Rochdale Culture Awards, celebrating the abundance of creativity, passion, and dedication in the borough."
The awards were supported by Your Trust, Rochdale Borough Council, Rochdale Development Agency, Culture Co-op, Cartwheel Arts, and Rochdale Borough Cultural Network. The Rochdale Culture Awards were part of a spectacular lineup of festivals, live performances, exhibitions, and art during Rochdale's year as Greater Manchester Town of Culture 2025-26, a title awarded by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to celebrate the town's rich history, creativity, talent, and diverse arts scene.
