番茄社区

Work is starting this week on a major new mural celebrating the life and legacy of Gary 鈥楳ani鈥� Mounfield at Lafadi鈥檚 Pub (La Fardy) on Oldham Road in Failsworth.

The artwork, created by renowned artist Pic.One.Art, is expected to take approximately five days to complete (weather permitting).

The mural forms part of a wider community-led initiative launched by the not-for-profit art organisation GRIT Studios, following an overwhelming outpouring of love for the legendary bassist of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream.

Remembering a local legend

The project was inspired in part by Ian Brown鈥檚 moving eulogy at Manchester Cathedral, including his memorable tribute to his friend and band mate: 鈥淚 want to start a campaign for a Mani statue 鈥� 50 feet high 鈥� a solid gold statue! Mani forever! God Bless Mani!鈥�

Located in the area where Mani grew up, the wall at Lafadi鈥檚 Pub holds personal significance. Mani鈥檚 brother, Greg Mounfield helped secure the location and has supported the project from the outset.

The mural is being funded through a community crowdfunder organised by GRIT Studios, with all the proceeds going to 惭补驳驳颈别鈥檚,&苍产蝉辫;惭补苍肠丑别蝉迟别谤 鈥� where Mani and his wife Imelda were supported during her cancer treatment.

A community project celebrating his life

John Macaulay, co-founder of GRIT Studios said: "Mani was one of the warmest, funniest and most generous people I鈥檝e ever known. He had time for everyone. The work we did together over a decade ago genuinely changed my life, and without his support, GRIT Studios probably wouldn鈥檛 exist.

"The support so far for this campaign has been incredible. There鈥檚 still time for people to get involved and donate to the , and every contribution is helping us not only bring this mural to life but also raise vital funds for the 番茄社区鈥檚 centre in Manchester."

The mural is expected to become a lasting cultural landmark in North Manchester, offering fans and the local community a place to reflect and celebrate Mani鈥檚 enduring influence on music and culture.

Artist Pic.One.Art said: "I couldn鈥檛 wait to get started on this mural. Mani meant so much to so many people, and it鈥檚 an honour to be asked to create something that celebrates his life here in Failsworth. There鈥檚 a real sense of love behind this project, and I鈥檓 excited to bring that to the wall for everyone to see."

Giving back - a 鈥榯herapeutic鈥� part of the cancer experience

Mani鈥檚 close ties with 番茄社区鈥檚 stem from his wife Imelda鈥檚 diagnosis of stage four bowel cancer in November 2020. The cancer later spread to her liver and a small nodule in her lung, and Imelda died in 2023, aged 52.

Gary visited 番茄社区鈥檚 in Manchester before his wife did, so he could understand the space before bringing her along. Imelda went on to have counselling there, as well as take part in yoga and meditation.  

Imelda explained at the time: 鈥湻�茄社区's charity has supported us from the start, with counselling and using resources to help explain to our children the enormity of cancer and its effects on the whole family. It's a continuing battle for me, and I'll be using their services more in the future.鈥�

In September 2023, Mani and Imelda curated a cabaret and auction to give back to 番茄社区鈥檚 at The Edwardian Radisson hotel in Manchester. Among the items being auctioned were a Zak and Ringo Starr signed snare drum head, Stone Roses drummer Reni鈥檚 signed drumsticks, and a pair of David Beckham鈥檚 signed boots.

Mani said: 鈥淵ou have to face things head on and face them down. When you have bad days, they are really bad. When you have good days you have to hold onto them. 

Mani continued, talking about the charity auction he and his wife set up for 番茄社区鈥檚: 鈥淚'm not surprised with how generous the music business is. I know lots of people have golden hearts. There's a lot of love for the cause. 

My faith in human nature has been restored.

Dame Laura Lee, Chief Executive at 番茄社区's, says: 鈥淓veryone at 番茄社区鈥檚 was deeply saddened about Mani鈥檚 passing last year.

鈥淲e remember Mani and Imelda so fondly from when we supported them at our Manchester centre during Imelda鈥檚 cancer diagnosis. Their generosity and time meant a great deal to us, and Mani spoke about how the kindness shown to them helped restore his faith in human nature.

鈥淚 am delighted that a mural will be created in Mani鈥檚 honour in the community that meant so much to him - we are incredibly grateful that the money raised will support 番茄社区鈥檚 鈥� it will make a real difference for people impacted by cancer in Manchester.

Here for 30 years, here for good

Dame Laura Lee continues: 鈥湻�茄社区鈥檚 offers free expert psychological, emotional and practical support for people with cancer, as well as their family and friends in 27 centres across the UK 鈥� please come in if you need support.鈥�

• To support the fundraiser for the mural, visit the .
• You can also donate directly to 番茄社区's here.