Sharing Salford s fantastic story. LifeTimesLink. Issue No 28 Winter 2010 FREE

Sharing Salford s fantastic story LifeTimesLink Issue No 28 Winter 2010 FREE

Useful contacts John Sculley, museums and heritage services manager 0161 778 0816 Heather McAlpine, lifetimes officer 0161 778 0885 Amy Goodwin, exhibitions officer 0161 778 0883 Peter Ogilvie, collections manager 0161 778 0825 Ceri Horrocks, acting heritage development officer 0161 778 0820 Amy Whitehead, acting learning officer 0161 778 0821 Naomi Lewis, outreach officer 0161 778 0881 Hazel Fenton, arts and community officer Ordsall Hall 0161 778 0837 Caroline Storr, heritage development officer 0161 778 0817 David Potts, volunteer and training manager 0161 778 0845 Amy Senogles, merchandising officer 0161 778 0818 Roseanne McLaughlin, archivist 0161 778 0810 Maryam Patala, Embrace officer 0161 778 0870 Duncan McCormick Salford Local History Librarian 0161 778 0814 Salford Museum & Art Gallery 0161 778 0800 Ordsall Hall Museum closed - see back page Useful contacts Website www.salford.gov.uk/museums - for all museum related topics www.salford.gov.uk/whatson - find out about concerts, walks, talks and other events in Salford www.wcml.org.uk - website for the Working Class Movement Library www.visitsalford.info - what to do, where to stay and what to see in Salford 2 Welcome to another issue of LifeTimes Link. If you have visited our current LifeTimes exhibition, Life Through The Lens, you will know that we are celebrating over ten years now of this popular local history magazine for Salford. We hope to continue publishing Link for many years to come. To provide the magazine free of charge is becoming a challenge for us with the forthcoming cuts to our services. As you will read in the attached covering letter, we have therefore come to the difficult decision that we will need to bring in a charge for Link in the future. We hope you will understand that we need to cover our costs, but at the same time have priced Link so it is affordable and gives good value for money. We are very grateful to everyone who contributes to the magazine with features and letters, so please continue to contact us in the same way (details on page 3). Please note that anyone who does contribute a feature or letter which we publish will receive a complimentary copy of the magazine. Ordsall Hall Final preparations are taking place for the reopening of Ordsall Hall next spring 2011. The restoration of the hall is now complete, the huge tarpaulin has been removed and the scaffolding has been taken down. Contractors will be handing the building back to Salford heritage services in December, and staff are moving back into the hall in January to start fitting out the building and making it ready for reopening to the public. Landscaping work will begin taking place in the grounds, whilst staff are busy with some of the audience development projects. The oral history project is almost completed and the schools dance project is just about to start. The first temporary exhibition at Ordsall Hall will open in spring 2011 and runs until 16 October. A Curious Old House, created by artists Liz Lock and Mishka Henner will feature photographs, stories and artefacts that they have gathered from local groups and individuals who have lived, worked and grown up in the area around the hall. Salford Museum and Art Gallery Our Life Through The Lens exhibition is proving very popular with visitors, and we will be extending the exhibition until the autumn of 2011. We are currently working on some new elements to be incorporated into the existing exhibition. These will be installed before Christmas. One of these is a showcase of a collection of photographs which was recently donated to the museum s collections. This is the Mullineux Collection which was brought together over a period of many years by husband and wife Frank and Elsie Mullineux. The collection of glass plates and photographic prints, which relates to the areas of Walkden and Worsley, has been digitised by Ann Monaghan. Museum volunteer Maggie Amankowicz has been enjoying selecting some of the best images in the collection to go on display. We have an exciting programme of exhibitions coming up at the museum and art gallery, including Ordsall Hall Revealed (15 January to 6 March 2011) featuring work by photographer Nick Harrison who has been documenting the transformation taking place at the hall over the last eighteen months. We will be celebrating the achievements of the Memories Matter reminiscence project in a special showcase exhibition High Days and Holidays: Celebrating 5 Years of Memories Matter (12 March to 19 June 2011). The exhibition will include objects and photographs from Salford Museum and Art Gallery s collections and will focus on the stories, experiences and memories of those who have participated in the project over the last five years. For a full programme of forthcoming exhibitions and events see Link Listings on pages 20 and 21. Salford Museum and Art Gallery staff have been working with other museums in the Greater Manchester area to loan objects and supply images for use in some new exhibitions. Manchester Art Gallery is staging an exhibition of Pilkington s pottery and tiles. Exporting Beauty: Pilkington s Pottery and Tiles is on until 9 October 2011. For more details on this stunning new exhibition see pages 12 and 13. The People s History Museum s new temporary exhibition Death and the Working Class features a number of loans from Salford s collections, including its Bakelite coffin. See page 9 for further details. In the news. Finally, we would like to say congratulations to Graham Nash, of The Hollies and folk supergroup Crosby, Stills and Nash, who has been appointed OBE for services to music and charitable activities. Nash, now a US citizen, said: I m from Salford, from a very poor family and to have been on the journey I ve been on since I was 13 years old when I wanted to be a musician - (the OBE) it s a highlight of my life. We hope you enjoy reading this issue of Link and will continue to support the magazine in the future. Please send your contributions and comments to LifeTimes.

Updates... Salford Local History and Family Fun Day September s Local History and Family Fun Day at Salford Museum and Art Gallery was a huge success and we would like to thank all those who came along on the day. 1300 visitors came along to the event. For more photos of the day turn to page 11. Salford Museum Food Festival 700 people attended this colourful, vibrant celebration of food from around the world and Salford. Our thanks to all those involved, especially to the team of Embrace volunteers. More photos on page 11. Contents Editorial 2 Useful contacts 2 Contributions 3 Join the Friends 3 Collections Corner 4 Memories of the Salford Blitz 5 The bonfires of Kersal Moor 6 Coming soon... Look out for more events like this next year. We are currently finalising the events and activities programme for 2011. For details see Link Listings or check our website: www.salford.gov.uk/salfordmuseum Alternatively email salford.museum@ salford.gov.uk with your contact details if you would like to join our mailing list and receive a copy of our twice-yearly events and activities brochure. Join the Friends of Salford Museums The Friends remain at the heart of support for Salford Museum and Ordsall Hall. They are always keen to welcome new members. For further information on joining the Friends, ask at Salford Museum and Art Gallery or call 0161 736 2336. Contributions Send your letters, articles and copies of photographs to: LifeTimes Link, Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, Crescent, Salford, M5 4WU Tel: 0161 778 0885 Email: lifetimes@salford.gov.uk The deadline for items for the next issue (summer issue: May 2011 November 2011) is 4 March 2011. Salford Local History Day Please note: we cannot accept any responsibility for the loss or damage to contributor s material in the post. We cannot guarantee publication of your material, and we reserve the right to edit any contributions we do use. The Mason Family, Snow White and Salford Royal 7 Local History Happenings 8 Local events and exhibitions 9 Memories of Boys Brigade Camp 10 Salford Local History Day 11 Salford Museum Food Festival Exporting Beauty: Pilkington s Pottery and Tiles 12-13 The legend of the minor miracle of Christ Church 14 A seafaring life 15 You Write 16-17 Poet s column 17 Sharing photos 18-19 Link Listings 20-21 Mystery Pix 22 Local History Round-up 23 Cover photo: Flower beds, Manchester Road, Walkden - Stocks Yard is on the left and St. Paul s Church in the background (Mullineux Collection). Basic large print versions of this magazine are available - ring 0161 778 0885 ring 0161 778 088 Find us on-line (plus all of our back issues) at www.salford.gov.uk/lifetimes-links 3

Collections Corner by Mary Francis, Project Assistant Various aspects of Salford s history are reflected in the range of recent donations to Salford s collections. As a member of the collections team at Salford Museum and Art Gallery, I am responsible for accessioning objects. In this feature I highlight some of the most interesting donations we have acquired over the last six months. We have had a busy few months and have amassed a wide range of objects for the collection. These reflect varied aspects of Salford s history, a selection of which include a ceremonial trowel, a slate box and World War 2 memorabilia. Langworthy Road School has kindly donated a ceremonial trowel on closure of the old school building this year. The trowel was used to lay the foundation stone back in November 1898. It went missing during WW2 and has been on an epic transatlantic journey on its way to the museum. The trowel was acquired by a sailor in a pawn shop in London, who took it back with him to Reykjavik, Iceland. For sixty years nothing was heard about the trowel and it became legend. Finally, a few years back, the son of the sailor made contact with the school. He made a one day journey back over to Langworthy to return the trowel. Now the school is due for demolition, the trowel has made its home here with us at Salford Museum. Bob Dene has donated a slate box from St Cyprian s Church School. The school, which was formerly located near the grounds of Ordsall Hall, closed in the 1970s. The donor s grandfather was caretaker at the school up until the mid 1930s and we are pleased to have acquired a piece of the school s history. A collection of WW2 memorabilia has been donated by Tom Battey. The collection includes photos, medals such as the France and Germany Star, Italian Star and Africa Star, badges and documentation relating to his uncle Wilfred Battey. Wilfred served in the R.A.S.C (Royal Army Service Corps). Wilfred, from Eccles, served as a driver during the campaigns in Europe and the Western Desert. He was a longterm employee with the local firm TAC Construction Material Ltd. The collection reflects varied aspects of life during WW2 and includes soldiers release forms and records, I.D. cards and an enlistment notice. A painting by John Bostock has been bequeathed to the museum. The painting depicts a seated woman, her identity is unknown but likely to be one of the Egerton family members, the Earls of Ellesmere. We would be interested to hear if any readers can confirm this. John Bostock was a prominent artist of the 19 th century and painted many portraits of the Egerton family. The museum has also purchased two books by the local aviator Winifred Brown, her autobiography Under Six Planets and No Distress Signals which tells of her Arctic sailing voyage to Norway. Winifred is a local celebrity, the first woman to gain a pilot s certificate in Salford in 1927, the first Salfordian woman to own her own aeroplane and the first female member of the Lancashire Aero Club. If readers have any comments or further information on any of the above objects please write to Lifetimes Link details on page 3 From top: Ceremonial trowel from Langworthy Road School; Slate box; John Bostock painting; Winifred Brown s books; World War 2 memorabilia. 4

Memories of the Salford Blitz By Dan McCormack 2010 marks the 70th anniversary of the aerial bombing that devastated cities across Britain, from London to Liverpool, and of course Salford too. Here, former Salford resident Dan McCormack recounts his personal memories of the Blitz in Salford and its impact on the area he lived close to the docks. The first raid on Salford took place in July 1940. A bomb hit a time keeping office at the corner of Ordsall Lane, near the junction of Trafford Road and close to Trafford Bridge. It was quickly taped off to hold back the large crowds who had come to see this dramatic event. Little did they realise that within a few short months they were to suffer the agonies of the Salford Blitz during the weekend of 22nd and 23rd December. As a young boy I joined the A.R.P as a Messenger Boy. I was based at a warden s post in the Flying Angel Missions to Seamen which was on Trafford Road, facing the Salford Docks. I was given a steel helmet and a haversack and shared a few battered old bicycles to carry messages from one A.R.P warden s post to others in the dockland area. The docks were bombed and many houses were hit and casualties reported. A parachute mine landed on the Salisbury Croft and we were temporarily moved to the A.R.P warden s post based at Ordsall Board School. Two lots of wardens and messenger boys were crammed into a small space. I slept on a coconut mat on the stone stairs. A number of local cinemas had well furnished public waiting rooms for use by cinema goers between first and second performances. During the Salford Blitz many bombed out families used the comfortable waiting rooms throughout the day and slept in the warm cellars each night. My bombed out family lived in the Dominion Cinema, at the corner of Ordsall Lane and Regent Road. We used the waiting room during each day and slept on old cinema seats in the cellar every night, warmed by a large boiler. On 23rd December, Groves & Whitnall Brewery on Regent Road was bombed and the large heating boiler in the cinema was lifted a few inches by the bomb blast. Fortunately none of my family were hurt, but we were told that an A.F.S. fireman had Clockwise from left: Crowd of people surveying bomb damage to housing in Salford; Beat the Blitz poster - one of the many wartime posters encouraging public support; The Essoldo (formerly the Dominion Cinema) where Dan s family took shelter after their house was bombed out in the Blitz. been killed. Groves & Whitnall Brewery was bombed two nights in succession. My family had lived at 7, Hollins Street facing the docks. I remember a series of shaded coloured lights on the inside of the dock walls. Green, white and purple lighting were given as a warning of approaches by bombers. The purple light indicated imminent danger, and my family and our neighbours quickly moved into our local air raid shelter, in the Box Makers Factory in nearby Tintern Street. I have no doubt that this system of colour warning lights at the docks must have saved many lives. After we were bombed out my family moved into St James Street and survived the Salford Blitz. To see more images of the 1940 Blitz visit the Imperial War Museum s special dedicated web pages with archive photographs, videos and information at www.iwm.org.uk/1940 In December the Imperial War Museum North is holding events to mark the 70th anniversary of the Manchester Blitz. Log on to their website at www.iwm.org.uk or phone 0161 836 4000 for more details of these and other events and exhibitions. 5

The bonfires on Kersal Moor By Alice Searle Whilst I was researching for my booklet on Kersal Moor I came across this photograph showing the building of a bonfire on Kersal Moor. This was in 1935 for the Silver Jubilee celebrations for King George V. As you can see it was going to be an enormous bonfire and needed people to camp out to protect it during the building process. At this time Kersal Moor was used for events that required a special well-known recreation area. As Kersal Moor was a high spot, conveniently situated near Salford, Manchester and Bury, it had previously been used for bonfires in 1897 for Queen Victoria s Diamond Jubilee and also in 1911 for the Coronation of George V. You will notice there are few trees in this picture, unlike today with its rich growth of trees. I would be pleased to hear from anyone who remembers this bonfire. I am particularly interested in the little girl playing on the right hand side, maybe with her dad and brother. She would be around 80 years old now, as she looks about 4 or 5 in the picture. I am also trying to find out if there was a bonfire on the moor to proclaim the end of World War 2. I know that there was a chain of them across England. If anyone can tell me then please do get in touch. Kersal Moor received its commemorative plaque on May 3rd 2010, as recognition of its history as the first Manchester Racecourse and the meeting place of the great Chartist Rallies of 1838 and 1839, which were attended by over 30,000 workers demanding universal suffrage. Anyone with any information on the bonfires can contact Alice Searle on 0161 792 8712 or get in touch with LifeTimes (details on page 3). Alice is also happy for you to contact her if you would like to become a Friend of Kersal Moor. Ed: If you are interested in reading more about the history of Kersal Moor you can obtain the booklet, A Celebration of Kersal Moor from Salford Museum & Art Gallery shop, priced at 3. Alice s book was recently awarded the Frank Mullineux Local History Award. Jubilee bonfire, Kersal Moor 6

The Mason family, Snow White and Salford Royal By Michael Fake My father-in-law, Alfred Mason, was born in Eccles in 1925. He started his career in the cotton industry, but became interested in nursing when he found himself in the Royal Navy during World War 2. His naval service was spent as a sick bay attendant, achieving either Petty Officer or Chief Petty Officer rank and travelling around the world, with his small ship being scuttled in the Far East, as part of the Lease, Lend agreement, when WW2 ended. After the war, he became one of the first male nurses in the country at the original Salford Royal Hospital which was closed in 1993. He met Pat Barnes, who was a student nurse at Salford Royal. After Alf qualified as a nurse, he worked in the Genito- Urinary Ward, at Salford Royal, before moving to Southport, where he worked for a while. Alf and Pat started married life in Southport, before returning to Harold Street, Prestwich, where my wife, Barbara, and her brother, Andrew, spent their first years. Alf became a charge nurse in the operating theatres at Prestwich Hospital and Pat worked as a chemist s dispenser. They were there from around 1953 to 1966, when the family left for the Midlands, for new careers for both Alf and Pat, managing residential care homes for the elderly in Warwickshire. Our picture shows a ward, thought to be at Salford Royal, labelled SRH, MSI (Men s Surgical?), Christmas 1949, with the patients sitting to attention for their photograph and the festive decorations kept well away! Alf, and Pat, were also interested in amateur dramatics and they were both enthusiastic participants in a number of productions at Salford Royal and, later, at Prestwich. We have come across an album, containing over 40 photographs of the casts and scenes from the hospital pantomimes (all labelled), held on various dates, including Christmas Day, each year from 1950 to 1952. We have programmes, including cast lists for Robinson Crusoe (1950), Snow White, (which we think is 1951) and Aladdin (1952). The pictures show a selection of scenes from the pantomimes, including a picture of Alf resplendent as the Emperor in Aladdin. We do not have any details, nor any pictures, of any productions at Prestwich. Sadly both Alf and Pat died some years ago, but they always had fond memories of Salford and their friends and their amateur dramatics. It would be interesting to know if anyone remembers taking part or watching the pantomimes or has memories of that period. From left to right: Cast of the Snow White pantomime at Salford Royal; Men s surgical ward, Christmas 1949; Salford Royal Hospital, Chapel Street; Program for Snow White. 7

Local History Happenings Raise the Roof campaign for Ordsall Hall Looking for an unusual gift? Want to help preserve a unique part of Salford s heritage? Would you like to own your very own piece of Ordsall Hall? Then why not help raise the roof by sponsoring a roof slate? Each slate costs just 10 to sponsor. You will be presented with a gift certificate thanking you for your purchase, which you can give to family and friends for a gift with a difference! Everyone who has contributed will also be acknowledged in the hall when it reopens next spring 2011. To buy your slate just send a cheque made payable to The Friends of Salford Museums Association (Registered charity No.1057371) at: Ordsall Hall Raise the Roof Campaign, Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, The Crescent, Salford M5 4WU You can also order your roof slate by calling 0161 778 0800. Heritage Walks 2011 Salford has a famous heritage to be proud of, from the Tudor age, through the industrial revolution, to 20th century pioneers. This programme of heritage walks, run by Salford Heritage Services, gives an insight into the city s history, brought to life by experienced guides. Step out and discover Salford s towns and villages, landmark buildings, people and their stories. You may think you know Salford, but these walks will explore the often unknown, quirky, but always interesting facts. Heritage Walks are a great way of getting some exercise, meeting new people and discovering more about the city. The walks are suitable for all ages and are on even ground; however they are not suitable for wheelchair users or pushchairs. So lace up your walking shoes and step out for a fun and fact-filled walk! Walks must be booked in advance at Salford Tourist Information Centre on 0161 848 8601 Walks are 2 for adults, children FREE Please wear appropriate shoes or boots and bring an umbrella! All distances given are approximate Ordsall Hall and Salford Quays Circular Starting at the newly reopened Ordsall Hall, this walk takes in Salford s old and new with the magnificent Tudor Hall and the ultra-modern Quays. Also featuring Pomona Docks and the site of Haworth s Mill. Sunday 22nd May Meet 1pm at Ordsall Hall, Ordsall Lane, Salford M5 3AN Walk leader: Roy Bullock Approx 3 miles, circular Ordsall Hall: Faces and Places A stroll around Ordsall, looking at the famous hall s relationship with the area and community around it, and bringing to life some real characters! The walk will end at the newly reopened Ordsall Hall, with a chance to enjoy the new exhibitions and spaces. Sunday 5 June Meet 1pm at Ordsall Hall, Ordsall Lane, Salford M5 3AN Walk leaders: Naomi Lewis and Hazel Fenton Approx 1.5 miles, circular 8

Unlocking Salford Quays: The Inside Story The Lowry Exhibition: until 1 May 2011 The Lowry s Quays sculpture trail, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund, opens early next year. Thanks to the work of local people, we have amassed a huge collection of work that tells the hidden history of the area. In this special exhibition you can unlock the past and, from December, see the artists models and drawings for the sculptures themselves as well as contributing your own memories and impressions of the Quays. For more information on the Unlocking Salford Quays project and for details of special events and activities to accompany the exhibition log on to www.thelowry.com/unlocking Guided tours of Weaste Cemetery The Friends of Salford Cemeteries Trust have scheduled in some more guided tours of Weaste Cemetery, including some new ones. For more details contact Pete Kilvert on pete.kilvert@ntlworld.com or 0161 748 3123. Salford s Famous Citizens Sunday 21 November 2010-11am to 12.30pm (NEW tour) Women of Salford (to coincide with International Women s Day) Sunday 6 March 2011-11am to 12.30pm Salford s Famous Citizens Easter Sunday 24 April 2011-11am to 12.30pm (NEW) More Salford Citizens at Rest Easter Sunday 24 April 2011-1pm to 2.30pm Weaste Cemetery is off Cemetery Road (off Eccles New Road, Weaste). There is a metrolink stop nearby. Unfortunately there are no toilets on site. Meet at the War memorial at the end of the main drive. Tours are free and tour booklets are available at 1. Death and the Working Class People s History Museum 23 October 2 May 2011 New exhibition This exhibition looks at the enormous changes in perceptions of death and funeral customs over the last 200 years. Fascinating collections from working people s organisations illustrate the world of the good send off. There is a series of talks and special events to accompany this exhibition. See the museum s website for further details www.phm.org.uk, email info@phm.org.uk or Tel: 0161 838 9190. Banners from the People s History Museum collections. Causes of death scene, Steel Smelters Emblem. Salford Museum and Art Gallery is loaning a number of objects from its collections to the exhibition including its Bakelite coffin. Very few of these appear to have been made. Production began in 1938 at the Ultralite Casket Co. Ltd. at their Eagle Works in Stalybridge. The hydraulic press used for the mould was made by John Shaw & Sons of Wellington Street, Salford. We do not know why, but there was clearly not much demand for the coffins. Only two examples are known to exist, the one in Salford s collection and there is one in the Science Museum in London. 9

Memories of Boys Brigade Camp by Ken Witts The 61st Company Boys Brigade from Trinity Methodists, Patricroft, held their annual camp at Penmaenmawr or Pen as we called it, either in the field by the Puffin Café across the road from the gasometer, or in the field by the bridge over the railway lines, next to the sea. After Easter, if you wanted to go to camp, names were taken by Captain Harold Simpson and camp cards issued. Your camp card was your bank book. Every Friday was Boys Brigade night and the captain would take your shillings, two bobs, and half crowns and log them on your card. Once the price of the camp was paid the rest if you were lucky was your spends for which you paraded and drew out daily at camp. The big day arrived (last week in July and final week in August). Meet outside the Trin at 5.30 pm, get on one of Wheatley s coaches and off we went. First stop Hesketh s Farm at Peel Green to pick up a small churn of milk. On arrival at Pen the tents and canteen were made ready. Normally four bell tents plus a larger one for the captain, Walt Drinkle and Bob Morrell. The latter two did all the cooking. Having been detailed to which tent you were in, you got your mattress cover, filled it with straw, gathered a ground sheet and that was your bed fixed up. Each tent had its sergeant in charge - Jimmy (Mac) McCulloch, Cyril (Biddle) Witts, Norman (Waddy) Wadsworth and Eddie (Farmer) Wilkinson. They weren t bad really! Daily duties included one tent on jankers (peeling spuds etc.) for Walt and Bob the latter was famous for cooking breakfast in his pyjamas and wellies. Then fall in for tent inspection, beds folded up, no litter around and had you had a wash? Sundays were parade days - full uniform, march to church, in Pen and then march back it was a long way! The captain, Harold Simpson, was a father to all his lads. The respect he was shown by every one of us was absolutely superb! Caption: Photo of Ken (third from left, front row) and the 61st Boys Brigade Camp at Penmaenmawr, North Wales. 10

Local History and Family Fun Day 2010 Thanks to all those who helped make this year s Local History and Family Fun Day a success. A record number of visitors came to the event on Sunday 20 September at Salford Museum and Art Gallery. Take a look at some of the pictures from the day... Salford Museum Food Festival 2010 Thanks to everyone who contributed to making this year s food festival a memorable day for everyone. 700 people attended this event on Sunday 10 October at Salford Museum and Art Gallery. Take a look at some of the pictures from the day... 11

Exporting Beauty: Pilkington s Pottery and Tiles Manchester City Galleries, Pilkington s ginger jar and lid. For the first time in almost 30 years, Manchester Art Gallery is staging an exhibition of Pilkington s pottery and tiles. Exporting Beauty features over 100 pots and tiles made between 1893 and 1938 by Greater Manchester s world famous Pilkington s Tile and Pottery Company. The exhibition is a must-see for lovers of the Arts and Crafts and Art Nouveau movements. Displays include important and rare works by some of the company s most gifted artists and craftsmen, such as lustre ware art pottery designed and decorated by Gordon M. Forsyth and Richard Joyce, pieces designed by the well-known artist and illustrator Walter Crane and a number of unique works made especially for show at international exhibitions. Many examples of the works on display are from Manchester City Galleries significant collection of Pilkington s pottery and tiles, with others on loan from public and private collections held in the north-west. Salford Museum & Art Gallery is one of the museums to have loaned items from its own collection as well as images from Salford Local History Library. Exporting Beauty chronicles the company s impressive rise to fame. It starts with the firm s early beginnings in the late 1800s in Clifton, as a successful manufacturer of high quality tiles, employing both experienced artists for the designs and local men, women and children for the manual and semi-skilled work. The company s story continues through the early 1900s, with the launch of their own range of Lancastrian ware, which showcased a series of beautiful new glazes. The exhibition goes on to celebrate the company s golden era, when it began production of its best-known and most distinctive art pottery, using the ancient technique of lustring. The firm s success contributed to achievements ranging from awards and medals, to critical praise and the awarding of the prestigious Royal Warrant by King George V in 1913. 12 Manchester City Galleries, Pilkington s vase 1911

One of Pilkington s artists (Mr. Mycock) working on decorating a plaque in his studio Pilkington employees outside the bottle kiln The exhibition follows Pilkington s Tile and Pottery Company through to its unfortunate decline, aggravated by the onset of the First World War, and the regrettable closure of the company s pottery section in 1938. A collection of poems inspired by the gallery s collection of Pilkington s pottery and tiles, co-commissioned by Manchester Art Gallery and the Manchester Literature Festival, and written by John Siddique, are on display in Exporting Beauty. The show also includes animations inspired by Aesop s Fables and themes of nature found in Pilkington s pottery and tiles which have been made by members of LMCP Care Link and Wai Yin Chinese Women s Society, working with artist Tamzin Forster. Salford Museum and Art Gallery has a permanent display of key pieces from its Pilkington s pottery collections in the LifeTimes Gallery. Exporting Beauty: Pilkington s Pottery and Tiles runs from 9 October 2010 to 9 October 2011 at Manchester Art Gallery. Entry to the exhibition is FREE. A series of activities and events accompanies the show: Making conversation Thursdays 11, 18 and 25 November, 1-4pm. Explore Pilkington s pottery through discussion and making in this practical workshop series, with description of the artworks for visually impaired people. Free. Please book. Tel: 0161 235 8888. Email: magevents@manchester.gov.uk For more information visit www.manchestergalleries.org Tel: 0161 235 8888 Manchester Art Gallery is open: Tuesday-Sunday 10am 5pm and is closed Mondays (except Bank Holidays) Pilkington s tiles, from Salford Museum s collection, on display in the Exporting Beauty exhibition. Manchester City Galleries, Pilkington s bowl 1911. 13

The legend of the minor miracle of Christ Church By David J. Pearce Negotiations for a new Christ Church in Acton Square, Salford started in 1828. The first stone was laid on 28 April 1830. The church was consecrated on 4 November 1831 by the Lord Bishop of Chester. The spire was added in 1843. It was often referred to by Salford parishioners as the round church because of its shape and the unusual internal design which had balconies along the north and south aisles, with pews facing north and south as well as the usual eastwards - somewhat in the style of a theatre in the round. Christ Church, Acton Square, Salford (demolished 1957) 14 In 1847/48 the church was enlarged to accommodate 1760 people, by the addition of an extra bay and the chancel. In 1874 the spire was struck by lightning and had to be rebuilt. There appears to have been no further problems until the early 1920s when the first outbreak of rot occurred and repairs had to be made. During the next 20 to 30 years further outbreaks occurred and more repairs were done, but during WW2 little could be done to prevent further decay. By 24 September 1956 the church had been declared unsafe, and was to be closed. In 1957 my father telephoned me to say that he had heard that Christ Church Salford had been declared unsafe and was to be demolished. My grandfather had done the three mosaic panels over the altar. My father wondered whether they could be saved and asked me to look into it. Sometimes my grandfather had mounted the mosaic on panels and then fixed them to the wall. Unfortunately this time, because the wall was curved he had to fix each piece directly to the wall. I decided the only way to try to save some of it was to glue hessian to the face of the mosaic and hope that at least, by peeling it off the plaster in small sections, some of the central panel, which contained the figure of Christ with all the angels around him and names of those who had died, could be saved. I spoke to the demolition contractors about this and they said that as they would not be working during Whit week they would leave some scaffolding up and a ladder so that I could have access to it during that week. They would then do their best to peel the mosaic off with the hessian. So I spent most of the week gluing the hessian to the panel. The vicar said he would keep an eye on things when the contractors came back to work the following Monday. I was back at work that day, but I called at the church on the way home. The vicar met me and said that when the contractor had tried to take the first piece off, he was doing quite well at first but the plaster was so old and weak that the whole lot had suddenly collapsed. It had hit the floor, which was already covered in rubble, and had smashed into many small pieces. Image above: What now remains of the memorial mosaics, rescued by David J. Pearce, and now in the Salford Museum and Art Gallery collections (please note this object is not currently on display to the public) But by what Rev. J.G. Hughes called a minor miracle one piece about 18 inches across had remained intact. Of all the pieces that might have been saved that piece was the face of Christ! It was almost as if he had sent a message, You may destroy my church but not me! My father said he had a wooden frame, which my grandfather had made, and he thought he could mount the saved mosaic in that. The salvaged piece was fitted into the frame and the jagged edges filled in with random pieces of the mosaic, which I had collected up. Shortly after that I was asked to go to the Christ Church Remembrance Sunday service at the Mission of the Good Shepherd in Liverpool Street, Salford. The service was conducted by the Rev. J.G. Hughes and the mosaic was re-dedicated and installed over the altar. I understand that the story of the minor miracle of Christ Church was talked about for many years by the parishioners of the central Salford area. Sadly the Mission of the Good Shepherd was also demolished and the whereabouts of the head of Christ was unknown. After some searching it has recently been found in the safe hands of Salford Museum and Art Gallery.

A seafaring life By Nuala Lamont-Shiels Excerpts from an interview with Albert Thompson, recorded as part of our recent oral history project. Nuala has been volunteering on the project since April 2010. Albert playing guitar Albert Thompson was born in Harrogate, Yorkshire and ran away at the age of fifteen to join the Merchant Navy and pursue his childhood dream of travelling the world. He spent many years travelling around the world on cargo ships before coming to Salford Docks, getting married and settling in Salford with his family in the 1960s. He now writes and performs his own songs based on his life at sea and is currently writing an autobiographical book. Albert remembers the first time he sailed into Salford Docks in 1964: The first time I came up to Salford was 1964. I came up the ship canal, I should never have been coming up the ship canal, I joined a ship in London and I ve no idea why we finished up there. It should have been going back to London but somebody said oh, we re going to Manchester, I didn t even know there was a port here, you know. And I d never heard of Salford. We came up the canal and I was amazed, just absolutely amazed, right in the middle of the land like, 35 miles from the sea we ve got this massive port, which turned out to be the third largest port in the country. And yeah I absolutely loved it, just loved the place, it was just made for me this place well it was an exciting place really - there were all kinds of things happening. Every pub you went in there was something going on, the little local pubs had music going on. The people were amazing, you know. It was a bit rough around the docks area but they were good people, you know down to earth people, my kind of people. I just fell right into it, just loved it. Although Albert had a certain fondness for Salford upon his arrival, he recalls the poor condition of the docks in the 1960s: The docks were a smelly horrible place with some wonderful people stuck in there. You could almost walk across the water, there was that much rubbish and it just looked like a film of oil. If you fell in, chances were you wouldn t survive, you know, it was really, really bad There was that much timber, old tyres, oil and stuff you know, you felt like you could walk over the dock. I ve known plenty of people who fell in there and not come out of it. A little bit too much to drink and gone over the side of the dock, and never see them again. Albert remembers meeting his wife in the area around Salford Docks: She lived at the end of Ordsall Park, and nice girls didn t go out with sailors in those days so she never told her mum that I was a sailor. She told her that I was a builder and that I worked all over the country, and that s why I wasn t there! She wouldn t let her know that until quite a while after we d met actually. People had been brought up not to associate with the seafaring man, which is quite understandable really because you know, most of them were just coming out for a good time and, you know, going off again. That s what sailors did, part of the job like! Albert did not spend time at his girlfriend s family s house until they were married. He recalls the places he stayed in whilst in port, and the sounds of the area: I used to stay in seamen s mission sometimes on Trafford Road, they used to call it the flying tam nap. It was right next to the school on Trafford Road. And if I couldn t stay on the ship I used to get rooms there. And if I couldn t get rooms there I used to, there was another one at the top of Oldfield Road, a mission, mission for seamen, which is now a Salvation Army hostel. But they were all clean digs and cheap digs, you know, I think it was about four bob a night in them days. No food just, you know, just the room. So I often used to get woke up by the kids at playtime, like when you stayed on the one on Trafford Road you d always get woke up in the morning by all the hooters going off at six o clock. And then you d get woke up again at nine o clock when the kids were coming in to school and all playing in the playground. It was fun, it was great - I enjoyed coming back to Salford. There was absolutely everything going on You had Howarth s Mill on Ordsall Lane, they would be blowing, and then the tug boats would start up, early doors, getting the people down to the docks. The Ordsall Hall oral history project is almost complete. We will be using a selection of clips on two listening posts in the new history gallery at Ordsall Hall. The interviews are in the process of being catalogued and added to the LifeTimes oral history archive. We are grateful to the volunteers who have worked with us on the project and to all those who kindly agreed to be interviewed. Salford Docks 15

You Write If you d like to tell a story, ask where are they now? or share your memories - send your letters in to: The Editor, LifeTimes Link, Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Peel Park, Crescent, Salford, M5 4WU. email: lifetimes@salford.gov.uk Tel: 0161 778 0885. Due to space limitations we reserve the right to edit any letters that we do include. Please get in touch with us if you have any responses to our You Write page. Dear Editor, I was born at no 5 Soho Street, off Ordsall Lane, in 1924. I attended St. Cyprian s School. I was baptised at St. Clement s because the minister of St. Cyprian s was away, so my mother told me. My family all attended St. Cyprian s and I learned such a lot at the GFS (Girl s Friendly Society) classes, embroidery, how to make crepe paper flowers amongst other things. The school I attended, St. Cyprian s, wasn t there any more when I returned home for a visit as it had been pulled down as was the church. I was very disappointed not to be able to show them to my husband, but we did get to see St. Clement s. Ed: From reading about The Elephants of Salford in Link 27 one reader remembers her visits to Buile Hill Natural History Museum. Dear Editor, I well remember Buile Hill Park and Museum. In the 1940s I used to attend Tootle Road School, Weaste, and in the summer sometimes used to walk home through the park with a friend. We would call in at the museum, the attraction being the stuffed animals that were upstairs. We would wonder how a certain tiger (I think it was) could be seen leaping over grass (contained in a glass case) without any means of support. No matter how close to the glass we would press our noses. But the biggest thrill of all was the elephant, which stood on its own. We used to dare each other to stand in front of it, but we could never manage it. It looked so big and real, we were too scared. I loved going to the museum and have never forgotten those stuffed animals. Pat Hibbert, Burnage, Manchester Ed: Fred Barber s poem, in Link 27, about growing up in Weaste brought back some memories for another reader who also lived in Weaste and remembers playing on the Gelders. He would like to know more about the Gelders, so if anyone can help, please contact LifeTimes and we will pass this information on. Dear Editor, I was born at 68 Ariel Street, Weaste in 1951 and was intrigued by Fred Barber s mention of the Gelders. I used to play on the Gelders, collect ladybirds there etc. However, I cannot remember exactly where they were in relation to Ariel Street and Falcon Street or how big they were. Can anyone help? I think they were called the Gelders because someone by that name owned the land but I might be wrong. I recall a group of us youngsters making a snowman in the middle of Ariel Street. Wouldn t last long nowadays! Does anyone recall the odd three wheeler lorries with a sort of pointed nose which regularly made their way along the bottom of the streets on some business or other? They used to scare me. Where were they going? My dad kept tropical fish and often we went to Tib Street in Manchester on Saturday mornings to buy some new fish and carry them home on the bus in a thermos flask. I remember Walter Smith s the pet shop. They used to keep puppies for sale in the window. How times have changed. I left Weaste when I was five to start school in Rusholme. Paul Boswell On my way to school every weekday, I always stopped to read the WW1 Roll of Honour on the wall in the middle of Landseer Street. I loved stopping and looking at it as it had my father s name at the bottom. He died when I was six, so it was of special interest to me. My dad didn t die in the war, but when they collected pennies to have the roll made, my Granny Lane wanted my father s name on the list, because as she put it he nearly died for his country having been wounded twice in the leg. From what I can gather she created such a fuss that the people making the Roll of Honour put my dad at the bottom under the heading Wounded along with another man s name. As this disappeared, along with the street, I wondered if one of your readers would have a photo of the Roll of Honour as I would be very grateful for a copy. During the war I was in the ATS on a gun site in London, and on demobilization, I saw an advert for nurses in New Zealand, so I applied and came out here in 1946. I married and had five children here. My husband died four years ago but we visited home many times. His mother was a Salford girl too. Maud Gates, New Zealand Maud also emailed us with her memories of growing up in Ordsall. Here are a few excerpts. Thank you to Maud for sharing these with us. If any other readers have memories of Ordsall and would like to send them to us, we would be really pleased to hear from you. We will be adding these to our archive of written memories and oral histories recorded as part of the Ordsall Hall oral history project. My earliest memories are of my dad George Lane carrying me on his shoulders to his allotment near the 16

Poet s column Maud (2nd from left) and her sister Nell (3rd from left) at the back of Ordsall Hall after a Whit Walk with St.Cyprian s dock area. One day he was carrying me home, and being on the shoulders of a six foot two inch man I was high off the ground, when he stopped to watch a fire in the timber yard that was sending up lots of smoke. My head was up in the smoke and my eyes just closed and it was ages before I could open them again. This must have been about 1927 or 8. This would be just off Taylorson Street. When my dad died in 1931, my mother went to work cleaning the offices at a place called Paul s in Ordsall Lane. I think it was a flour mill. My brother and I would go to the Dock Mission and to The Band of Hope, as well as to the activities at St. Cyprian s. There wasn t much else to do in those days, but we loved our time at these missions and learned so much. The people running these places were very dedicated in the time they gave to us Salford children. When I started school at St. Cyprian s, my teacher s name was Mrs Robinson and I gave her a very trying day because I was so upset and when I went out of the door to go home at home time. I was still crying and a group of mothers waiting for their children looked at me and one said, Look at that big girl crying! I can remember my mum turning on the woman and saying She might be big, but she s only five. The next day I was alright and loved school after that. The headmaster was Mr Kelly. My Granny Lane who lived next door to us in Soho Street took great delight in the elections because people would come in cars to take voters to the polling booths and she would take a ride in the Conservative party s car and then vote Labour. It was a source of amusement to us. A selection of poems by Joanna Webster. Joanna, lives in Swinton and has previously volunteered with us at Salford Museum and Art Gallery, helping out with research and filmed interviews towards the Quiffs, Riffs & Tiffs music exhibition. She is a budding poet and these poems have been inspired by Salford and its history. Why not send us your poems and you might just see them published in a future issue of Link! My Dad was a clever man with his hands, as his hobby was carving wood. He made a lot of propellers, but I am not sure how he was going to use them. He made me a desk for my fifth Christmas and he also repaired shoes and boots on his last for our family and for neighbours. The photo here is of him and my Mum. My mum paid a small amount into a clothing club every week when we were children. She used this for clothes for me and my sister and towards our Whit Week clothes and shoes. She was a fine woman and worked hard to support her three children when she was widowed. I remember a time when we had no coal in winter and Mum asked me to go and tell the vicar of St. Cyprian s, whose name was Mr Phoenix. He had a man come round and deliver a sack of coal for us as we had to have a fire to cook food as well as for warmth. Thinking back, how happy we were despite being poor. We made our own entertainment and had the support of very good neighbours and of the church and missions. Support your local beat group! Look back upon a trend of boys Who turned youth into organised noise There s Rogues and Chasers and a Chosen Few Saints and Sinners and Chariots too In every local, every Saturday night On the top deck of the bus, drumsticks in sight On Cross Lane, ready and rehearsed You might hear them and think you ve heard nothing worse But you might remember them for being alright In every local, every Saturday night So please don t heckle when the lead breaks a string Because they just might be the next big thing! The girl can t help it We cannot choose the chimneys, streets and people where we re born - we grow, we breathe the air or the name of where we be, but lucky me I ve seen you for myself. My Dad and Grandad taught the rest my bedtime stories were the best. You re not a sheer beauty kind of place but, oh, the life behind the face And I know all the words to every Hollies song I ve heard So I say to me our love will never end and on you I can ever depend. And that you re always going to be the one for me And if I do ever find some other new and like enough to see it through you can take the girl out of the place well you know that phrase And if I ever find I m alone, Ewan s song and I m home Poems Joanna Webster 17

Sharing photos Our sharing photos feature in Link has become so popular we decided to allocate a double page feature to it in this issue. If you would like to share your photos with us in future issues of Link, please get in touch with us. We do recommend you only send us copies of your photos and we will return any photos sent in. Ed: Bill Kitchingman sent in two photos of Lower Kersal Infants School in 1939. Please contact us at LifeTimes if you can help identify anyone else in the photos and we will forward your information on to Bill. Lower Kersal Infants School. First row from top (L-R): Gladys Hyman, unknown, Barbara Yates, unknown, Pat Fisher, Margaret Wynn, unknown, unknown, unknown, Joan Williams, unknown, Second row from top (L-R): Derek Fearnly, unknown, unknown, Norman Bellamy, unknown, Willie Maxwell, Kenneth Wilkinson, unknown, Roy Wilcox, Ronnie Marsh, unknown. Third row from top (L-R): Ruby Perfect, June Hotchen, Moureen Farrel, Gertrude Barr, Dorothy Butler, Marion Burgess, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown. Fourth row from top (L-R): Margaret Lambert, unknown, unknown, unknown, unknown, Marie Hanley. Bottom row (L-R): Alan Wright, unknown, Ted Fletcher, Gus Parton, Jack Kitchingman,? Thompson. Bill writes: These pictures show the classes my brother and myself were in just over seventy years ago at Lower Kersal Infants School. I have included the names of all the other class members as far as I can remember them. The headmaster was Mr. Stewart and the teachers were Mr. Prescott, Miss Rigg and Miss Hibbert. If anyone can remember the missing names or anything about any of the members of the classes, I should be pleased to hear from them. 18 Lower Kersal Infants School. First row from top (L-R): Hazel Holland, Joan Ravencroft, Eileen Crofts, Kathleen Naylor, unknown, Joyce Seddon, Edith Birkenshaw, Audrey Austin, Hilda Owen, Betty Thompson, unknown. Second row from top (L-R): Raymond Uttley, Jack McEvoy, Ernest Ashton, unknown, Vernon Fildes, Leslie Green, Willie Walton, Geoff Hughes, unknown, George Lofthouse, Norman Shanks. Third row from top (L-R): Elsie Hill, Muriel Anderson, unknown, Elsie Schofield, unknown, Marie Hanley, Pauline Phillips, unknown, Pat Fisher, Phylis Hall, Betty Goodman, Doreen Jones. Fourth row from top (L-R): Albert Pearson, Herbert Webster, Colin Jones, Jimmy Ryan, Donald Wright, Ernest Chandler, Johnny Rowley, Bill Kitchingman, Barry Riley, Bernard Rouse. Bottom row (L-R): Sam Smith, Raymond Moulton, Arthur James, Johnny Harrison, Norman Yates, Clifford Lowe, Neil Thompson.

Ed: We also received some school photos from Mrs Vera Brammer (nee Simister). 1 2 Vera writes: I thought you might be interested in these photographs of Moorside Council School. I was brought up in Swinton from 1927 until 1950. I trained to be a physiotherapist at Salford Royal Hospital from 1944-47. The photos are from 1936-1938. In photo 1 from 1936 I am seated on the floor to the left of the girl on the chair. Photo 2 was taken in 1937, the year of the Queen s Coronation. In photo 3, taken in 1938, Jim Brammer is standing at the back on the left hand end. I married Jim in 1952! Ed: If you can help Vera out with any further information on her school photos, please do contact us at LifeTimes. 3 1 2 3 In LifeTimes Link 26 we published the memories of Norma Thomas who had worked at Smethurst & Holden s shirt factory off Chapel Street. We appealed to readers to get in touch with us if they had also worked there and recognised themselves in the photos. Janet Woods responded to our appeal and brought in some photos of her mother who worked at Smethurst & Holden Ltd. Janet writes: Alma Campbell, nee Ogden, is seen in the photos. She lived in Franklin Street. Alma married James Campbell (who had moved from Scotland to England) in 1950 at St. Clement s Church, Ordsall. Dad remembers going to see mum at Smethurst and Holden just before he left for his National Service. He was posted in Scotland. They had just a couple of hours before his train left. Mum died in January 12th 2006 aged 77. All the girls who worked at Smethurst and Holden called each other by their maiden names even when they had married. Dad remembers the women watching their wedding. Mum attended a Smethurst and Holden reunion in 1993 organised by Dorothy Mills. Photo 1 shows the workers at Smethurst & Holden Ltd. (Alma Campbell is on the back row). Also on the photo is Mary Owen who married Peter Heywood (both died last year). Alma and James were friends all their lives with Pete and Mary. Photo 2 shows Alma and James on their wedding day. Photo 3 shows the interior of the factory at Christmas, note the decorations (Alma is near the back of the photo; Norma Thomas is seated at her sewing machine in the foreground). 19

Link Listings A taste of forthcoming heritage events A full programme of events and exhibitions can be found in our twice yearly (approx January and July) Events and Activities publication. Pick up a copy from our museum or any Salford library, or check www.salford. gov.uk/museums for full events listings. ON, the magazine for what s on in Salford is published bi-monthly and carries full listings for events and activities in the city. You can also find much more to see and do (as well as find out the most up to date venue or event details) at www.visitsalford.info Remember- internet access is free at all Salford libraries and help is always available. 20 At Salford Museum and Art Gallery EXHIBITIONS Life Through The Lens: snapshots of Salford s past Until Autumn 2011 To celebrate 10 years of the LifeTimes project, this exhibition shows some of the hidden gems from the museum, LifeTimes and local history library photographic collections. Focussing on themes including local characters, fashion and changing street scenes, these photographs tell Salford s story from the perspective of local people. Listen to clips from the LifeTimes oral history archive to discover more about a selection of the images on display. Families can enjoy the reconstructed dark room, the climb in camera and the shadow puppet theatre. Help the rat catcher find the rats and think of a caption to go with some of the weird and wonderful images found in the collections. LifeTimes Link fans can also read all the back issues in a room dedicated to the local history magazine. Swinton Mill, circa 1930 On The Edge by Daniel Glenister 2 October 2010 to 9 January 2011 Inspired by the red boundary lines that surround the regeneration area on maps of Broughton, Daniel creates semi abstract art work through painting and photography. A layer of time is documented through images, and paint creates both a reference to what was once there and also what the future may behold. Daniel says Salford has always inspired me to create paintings, from my time as a student to then living on Langworthy Road and still at present. The changing face of Salford intrigues me. Planning, regeneration maps, houses half knocked down and the proposed future have fascinated me for more than ten years. Salford Art Club Annual Exhibition 2010 6 November 2010 to 6 February 2011 A selection of the very best art work produced by members of Salford Art Club during the past year. Work will include portraits, landscapes and still life in a variety of media. The theme this year is lives and landscapes. Artwork by Salford Art Club member Karen Lester Fragments 27 November 2010 to 13 March 2011 Through life, we all collect objects that represent personal memories. Objects that may be broken, but can t be discarded. Objects that are precious for their connotations, rather than their value. Objects rich in invested memory. Fragments is a collection of reminiscences about Salford, the city, its people and their stories. Through visual art, photography, pottery, woodwork and interactive installations, the work produced by Start members will provide a contemporary and thought provoking insight into Salford s rich and diverse history. Start in Salford is a vibrant charity that encourages creative endeavour across the city. It promotes the arts as a means to enhance the health and well being of individuals through the therapeutic value of creative expression. Beyond those members who use the facilities at Brunswick House in Salford, Start has also developed Youth Arts Services, an Arts on Prescription scheme and creative activities for over 50 s. This exhibition brings together work from all these projects, uniting all members around the theme of their city. For more information on the Start in Salford Arts and Wellbeing Charity, visit www.startinsalford.org.uk or call 0161 351 6000. The Friends of Start in Salford will formally be launched on the Preview night, you can find out more about the organisation and the details regarding becoming a Friend on our website.

Ordsall Hall Revealed: photographs by Nick Harrison 15 January to 6 March 2011 Under the tarpaulin and scaffolding that s been hiding Ordsall Hall for the past eighteen months; a transformation has been taking place. Get a sneak preview of some of the restoration work through Nick s photographic diary. Nick Harrison 10 + r 20 @ Salford 12 February to 12 June 2011 A retrospective exhibition of textile art to celebrate the twentieth anniversary of Ten Plus Textiles Ten Plus Textiles was formed in 1991 by ten textile artists who wanted to work together and promote an appreciation of embroidery in all its forms. Since then the group has grown in number and art work has developed to include a wide variety of techniques, from fine hand and machine embroidery, quilting and beadwork to batik, paper collage and mixed media. This exhibition is a celebration of twenty years of enthusiastic experimentation and a long connection with Salford. Lewis V Patchwork wall hanging 10+ textiles and has engaged with thousands of people over the last 5 years. Did you walk at Whit? What did you wear on your wedding day? Did you enjoy fish and chips in Blackpool? High Days and Holidays focuses on the stories, experiences and memories of its participants, bringing to life objects and photographs from the Salford Museum and Art Gallery collections. Liam Spencer: Painting From Life 26 March to 2 July 2011 Liam Spencer is one of the North West s most successful artists. His paintings investigate both urban and rural landscape from Manchester, Salford and Rossendale, to New York and Beijing. This exhibition features paintings from the past two decades, including Spencer s early work and the panoramic landscapes for which he is well-known. This is a touring exhibition developed by Gallery Oldham and Touchstones Rochdale. Touchstones by Liam Spencer Also on the Bluestairs Gallery: Entries for the annual Salford Children s Calendar, artwork from North Grecian Street and Lower Kersal Primary Schools and Military Pride, a touring exhibition from Imperial War Museum North exploring the stories of gay servicemen and women who have served in UK Armed Forces between 1945 and the present day.a. Ordsall Hall EXHIBITIONSHall A Curious Old House Spring to 16 October 2011 Miscellaneous extracts and fragments on interesting and instructive subjects, chiefly related to Ordsall hall, including portraits and anecdotes of eminent folk connected therewith. In this exhibition, artists Liz Lock and Mishka Henner reveal some of the characters and stories that make Ordsall Hall and its surroundings the community that it is today. In developing this work, the artists photographed and gathered stories and artefacts from many local groups and individuals that have lived, worked and grown up in the area. Walter by Liz Lock and Mishka Henner High Days and Holidays: Celebrating 5 Years of Memories Matter 12 March to 19 June 2011 An exhibition to celebrate the achievements of the Memories Matter reminiscence project, which comes to an end in March 2011. Run from Salford Museum and Art Gallery, Memories Matter provides reminiscence resources and activity to older people across Salford, FAMILY EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AT SALFORD MUSEUM AND ART GALLERYl Musical Christmas Sunday 5 December Join Monton Voices as they sing us into the Christmas festivities. There will also be Tudor themed Christmas activities and crafts from the Ordsall Hall team. 2pm 4pm, the event is free and there is no need to book. Salford Museum and Art Gallery runs a programme of activities for children and families. Please visit our website to find out what is coming up! www.salford.gov.uk/salfordmuseum Look in the things to do section for holiday activities and weekend craft sessions. Alternatively e-mail Salford.museum@salford.gov.uk with your contact details if you would like to join our mailing list and receive a copy of our twice-yearly events and activities brochure. 21

Mystery Pix Salford Local History Library has over 65,000 photos in their collection. Unfortunately we can t identify all of them. Drop us a line or pop into the Local History Library if you can help! (Open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, with a late night opening on Wednesdays until 8pm). Responses from last issue Mystery Pix 1 Unfortunately nobody got in touch to tell us about the location of the building site. Please take another look and let us know if you think you have the answer! Mystery Pix 1: Do you know where this view was taken in the Eccles/ Barton area? Mystery Pix 2: A snowy scene in Salford in March 1957, but does anyone know where? Mystery Pix 2: We suspected this school photograph was taken in the Pendleton area in May 1946. Paul McKenna contacted us to let us know that it was St. James RC Infants School in Pendleton and he recognised some of the pupils in the photo and it was 1946. First row (from top L-R): Unknown, Tommy Smith, John Taylor, Tony Castle, Terrence Cortlidge, Harold Crosgrove, Peter Lillas, Eric Owen, Brian Hughes, Paul MacDonald. 2nd row ((L-R): Harry Ogden. 3rd row (L-R): all unknown. 4th row (L-R): Ricky Bebrow, Ernie Howard, Gregory McKay, Pat McDonagh, Jimmy Platt, Paddy Burns, Sam Butterworth Paul said the reason why he can t remember any of the girls is that the year after, the boys and girls were split to attend different junior schools. Send your information or comments to: Life Times Link, Salford Museum and Art Gallery Peel Park, Crescent, Salford, M5 4WU Tel: 0161 778 0885 lifetimes@salford.gov.uk 22 Mystery Pix 3: Do you recognise yourself or anyone in this sack race? Mystery Pix 3: Paul also told us that he thought this was Dean Crilly of St. James s Church in Pendleton.