Flying the flag for green libraries

A creative project to raise awareness of climate change and the natural world is being showcased at Tameside libraries.

Tameside Council Library Services joined libraries across Greater Manchester in hosting workshops, in collaboration with the local community and Cabasa Carnival Arts, as part of Green Libraries Week last year.

Participants created ten, three-meter silk flags, each focusing on a different environmental theme, helping audiences consider the impact of climate change and why protecting nature is important for our planet.

Residents are invited to a preview event on 21 May (6pm-7pm) at Ashton Library, where those who took part in the workshops could come to see and celebrate their finalised work.

Each local authority contributed one flag to the collection, with Tameside’s theme being fungi, and other themes including rivers, solar power, and pollinators.

The flags will then be on a month-long display at Ashton Library (26 May-20 June). The flags will then continue to spread their environmental message as part of a touring exhibition across Greater Manchester throughout 2026 and will feature at the Manchester Day parade in July.

Funded by Libraries Connected Northwest, the project was led by the Greater Manchester Green Libraries Consortium, a dedicated working group focused on sustainability in libraries. They meet regularly to explore ways to make library services greener and to help the public engage with environmental issues.

Tameside Council’s Strategic Director of Housing, Environment & Estates, Julian Jackson said: “This is an excellent project bringing together creativity and community collaboration to raise awareness of important issues such as climate change and protecting our environment.

“It’s wonderful to see everyone’s involvement as the project and exhibition comes to life.”

For more information contact information.direct@tameside.gov.uk or call 0161 342 4000