Wild Witness

FOR NATURE. FOR EACH OTHER.

On 12 September 2026 Artist Lucy Wright and Castlefield Gallery came together for Wild Witness, a free event in Manchester that brought together walking, creativity and collective action in celebration of nature.

Wild Witness was an artist-led day in two parts, with participants invited to join the Walk, the Gathering, or both. Some explored the city on foot, while others came together later for food, conversation and creative activities, offering different ways to take part and connect.

Manchester’s streets have long been made for parading. From protests to Pride, and from carnivals to brass band contests, processions have brought communities together to celebrate, demonstrate and lay claim to public space. Wild Witness continued this tradition, inviting participants to experience Manchester differently. Rather than simply walking through the city, the event encouraged participants to walk with the more-than-human life already living alongside them: plants growing through cracks in the pavement, wildflowers reclaiming forgotten ground, and the birds, insects and fungi making homes in canals, meadows, derelict buildings and overlooked corners of Manchester.

The Walk

Beginning at Castlefield Gallery, the walk took participants through some of Manchester’s best-known civic, cultural and green spaces, alongside its hidden natural places.

Lead artist Lucy Wright brought the city, and some of Manchester’s hidden and forgotten folk histories, to life through music and dance. The group visited Manchester Art Gallery, gathering in the gallery before continuing through the city.

Human & More that Human

Folk culture is powerful in shaping human understanding of our more-than-human companions. Historically, and to this day, folk traditions have acted as a bridge between communities and their ecosystems.

Participants were invited to bring a small plant to walk alongside them on the day. From favourite houseplants and herbs grown on windowsills to home-grown plants and cuttings from friends, these plants became part of the procession.

Together, participants walked with their more-than-human companions, recognising that we share the city with countless other forms of life.

A shared trolley also travelled with the procession, allowing the plants to make their way through Manchester together.

Performances

Stephanie Besford-West – Clog Dancer

Dom Dudill – Irish Fiddler

Hardeep Sahota – Bhangra Dancer

The Gathering

The Wild Witness Gathering at Hulme Community Garden Centre brought together artists, creatives, community groups and local initiatives exploring climate action, urban nature and sustainable futures.

Castlefield Gallery Associate Bunny X led SPARK 50 – Dreamworld: Envisiging Better Futures as part of the gathering, inviting participants to imagine their dream worlds through a worldbuilding and collage workshop using found materials.

Sustainable Communities Hulme shared practical knowledge about community-led public space improvements and how residents could create climate-adaptive neighbourhoods.

Save Ryebank Fields shared information and resources about its 30-year campaign to protect a wild space in South Manchester from housing development, alongside a screening of Save These Fields, a film by Benjamin Gibbs.

Whalley Range Climate Action Group explored how communities could think globally and act locally, while MUD opened conversations about sustainable food, our relationship with the city and its future.

Fraser McDonald from Manchester City Council shared activities and information connecting urban nature, sustainability and local climate initiatives.

The ANEW Recovery Community led a clay stick-topper-making workshop, inviting participants to create chicken-shaped pinch pots inspired by the Recoverist Chickens to decorate its community allotment in Tameside.

Nature Neighbourhoods shared information about its work to support nature-friendly neighbourhoods, and the film programme featured Save These Fields by Benjamin Gibbs and Save Ryebank Fields, Learn about Cyanlines, and Lady Who Swallowed a Fly by Andrew Johnstone.

Wild Witness on Digital Screens Across The City

Following the Wild Witness activities on 12 September, Lucy Wright’s artwork appeared on digital screens and billboards across Manchester between 12 to 18 October!

What's Next?

WILD WITNESS. FOR NATURE. FOR EACH OTHER.

On 4 November 2015, artist Gustav Metzger issued a call to action to ‘Remember Nature’. Ten years later, along with over 17 nationally based partners and artists, Castlefield Gallery commemorated the anniversary with Remember Nature 2025, Manchester, bringing this call to action into the present. Wild Witness 2026 built on that legacy, bringing people together to stand up for nature and for each other.

We now ask you to take action in standing up for nature, by re-sharing Lucy Wright’s poster design on Wednesday 4 November 2026!

Wild Witness marks the beginning of a renewed, long-term annual programme for Greater Manchester, creating opportunities to connect with the natural world, inspire collective action and continue Metzger’s legacy.