Heart of the Moss

Colliers Moss North is a green space, full of plants and wildlife that sits at the heart of Parr, Sutton, Bold and Burtonwood in St Helens. It includes Colliers Moss North and Colliers Moss South and is known locally as "The Moss".

Artist duo Juneau Projects have worked with communities connected to The Moss to develop projects for this special green space.

2023

In 2023 Juneau Projects and residents living around the Moss researched wildlife, walked on the moss with The Moss Fairies, and explored Colliers Moss North. They were joined by Dave the Ranger from The Mersey Forest and Carla and Mark from the Green Task Force Veteran Rangers. We spotted animals and planned and designed activities to do on the Moss to share with the local community and all those who visit the Moss.

We also ran a series of creative workshops for local families to work with Juneau Projects to make wildlife and landscape illustrations using paint, drawing, photography, and paper-cutting, and shared their stories and memories of the Moss, which is one of the important peatlands in England.

The project has resulted in "A Spotters Guide and Activity Book" created by local communities, Juneau Projects and Heart of Glass, in partnership with The Mersey Forest and the Green Task Force Veteran Rangers.

Winter 2025 - 2026

Following the success of Heart of the Moss in 2023, we were delighted to invite Juneau Projects back to Colliers Moss and Derbyshire Hill.

From September 2025, artists Ben and Phil have been leading a new series of workshops exploring clay, photography, walking and drawing. Working with 90 young people aged 17–20 from The Growth Company and pupils from Allanson Street Primary School, they’ve been encouraging participants to take their time, get curious and notice the Moss in new ways. The sessions became playful explorations of paths, tracks, textures and the small details of the landscape that often go unnoticed (mushrooms were a particular favourite!).

This phase of the project will come together in a shared moment with all participants, alongside the creation of a small pocket zine filled with images, drawings and simple creative activities developed through the workshops. Designed as a Key Stage 2 learning resource, the zine will carry these ways of looking forward - inviting others to explore, notice and play with the Moss long after the workshops have finished.