Spoken poetry and brass band music have been blended together for a powerful new walking trail in Oldham that invites people to encounter recovery from substance use through new eyes.
Called, 'If You Could Speak to the World', the self-guided walk will take people on a physical as well as emotional journey from the centre of Oldham, in Greater Manchester, out into the woodlands of Northern Roots, a new community hub and visitor destination set on 160-acres of urban greenspace.
Recoverist Month
The public artwork has been commissioned by the visual arts organisation, 'Portraits of Recovery' for this September's Recoverist Month.
To create the trail, which features seven spoken works of poetry, celebrated poet Phil Davenport collaborated with people with lived experiences of substance use and recovery.
He then mixed the recordings together with fragments of brass band compositions, written by sound designer and composer Sophie Cooper and played by Milnrow Band.
Around 15 people aged between their 20s and 70s took part in the project, which was funded by the Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Wheels and Walks programme. For many, it was their first experience of working creatively with a professional artist.
He then mixed the recordings together with fragments of brass band compositions, written by sound designer and composer Sophie Cooper and played by Milnrow Band4BR
Locations
Notable locations along the trail include Alexandra Park boating lake, the beehives at Brook Mills Gardens, the Tip Road path and Park Bridge. Different routes are available, with the shortest path taking in all seven locations, being two miles long. Longer trails run up to six miles.
Walkers will be able to follow the route by picking up a map at Northern Roots' new Welcome Building or accessing it online from September 2026.
A series of in-person guided walks in September and October 2026 will launch and celebrate the permanent audio trail. Recoverist Month events are taking place across the north west throughout September 2026.
