Mossley farmers market welcomes hundreds

Mossley Market Ground was alive with colour, creativity, and community spirit yesterday (Sunday 31st August) as the town hosted its second Farmers Market — this time with a spectacular twist.

Alongside the bustling market stalls of local produce, handmade crafts, and artisan goods, visitors were treated to a breath-taking open-air art exhibition: Flags of Hope. Towering up to six metres tall, 100 hand-painted silk flags transformed the market square into a vibrant sea of colour, drawing in crowds from across Tameside and Greater Manchester.

The Flags of Hope exhibition, the first of its kind in the region, is the result of a powerful collaboration between Mossley-based organisations Global Grooves and Cabasa CIC, working with Mossley Town Council and supported by local artists, schools, care homes, and volunteers.

Each flag, a unique work of art, represents resilience, identity, and hope. Together, they span over 540 square metres of silk fabric, a symbolic gesture that connects Mossley’s rich textile heritage with the town’s modern spirit of community and creativity.

"Flags carry power and meaning," said Leon Patel, CEO of Global Grooves. "In Flags of Hope, that power comes from people - from schoolchildren, care home residents, local artists and volunteers who have all contributed their voices. These flags are not about division, they're about welcome, pride and creativity. Together, they show what can be achieved when communities come together to listen, share and create."

Visitors to the market were invited to wander among the soaring silk artworks, each telling a different story - from personal memories and poems to bold artistic statements and shared hopes for the future.

Emily Wood, Artistic Director of Cabasa CIC, described the installation as 'art made with, by, and for the people of Greater Manchester.'

"When they stand together, they become something much bigger," she said. "A shared expression of resilience and belonging."

Now in its second month, Mossley Farmers Market is fast becoming a popular monthly tradition, offering a showcase for local producers and makers. Sunday’s event featured an expanded range of stalls and attracted an even larger crowd than its debut in July, thanks in part to the visual spectacle of the Flags of Hope exhibition.

Dave Jones, Chair of Mossley Town Council, said the event was a proud moment for the town: "Flags of Hope shines a light on Mossley's heritage while celebrating its vibrant present. It's a reminder of what makes our town and our communities special - people coming together, working side by side, and creating something extraordinary."

With a growing buzz around the market and the success of this unique collaboration, organisers hope to build on the momentum and make the event a staple in the town’s cultural calendar.

The next Mossley Farmers Market will take place on Sunday 28th September. The market is running the last Sunday of every month until October.