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A Crafty Exhibition!
LEIGH’S Turnpike Gallery is launching an exhibition dedicated to the art of craft!
The gallery’s UK DIY exhibition begins in February and with the craft industry experiencing a resurgence as more people return to crocheting and knitting as the recession bites, organisers are hoping it’ll be a big hit.
But first there’s a rather “woolly” obstacle to overcome.
Louise Clennell, Gallery Co-ordinator for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, said: “We are seeking donations of unwanted wool for the activity area of the exhibition. The wool will be transformed into pompoms, crocheted creations and other knitted wonders by visitors to the exhibition.
“Our grandparents prudently saved money by using their craft skills to make a range of clothes and accessories and this exhibition could spur on others to do the same.”
The UK DIY exhibition runs from 14 February to 25 April. The exhibition will focus on crafters 21st Century take on traditional craft skills.
Louise added: “The exhibition showcases a new generation of crafters who are giving traditional skills a contemporary twist to produce unique and innovative work.”
Wool of any colour and weight will be grateful received and can be dropped off in person or posted to UK DIY, Louise Clennell, Turnpike Gallery, Civic Square , Leigh , WN7 1EB .
For more information telephone 01942 404 469.
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Art? It’s A Matter Of Perception!
AN exhibition showcasing the work of disabled people and how they believe others view them officially opened on Saturday at Leigh’s Turnpike Gallery.
It marks the culmination of a pioneering year long project where more than 300 disabled people across Wigan and Leigh have taken part in workshops using the visual and performing arts to express their thoughts on the “perception of disability”.
Wigan Mayor Rona Winkworth was on hand to launch the latest exhibition at the gallery.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust has been working with Wigan and Leigh Disability Arts Network to organise the project which forms a consultation for disabled people to have their say on equality, diversity and access.
The project was a chance for participants to have their say about the issues that affect them.
Vicky Fletcher, Arts Development Officer for Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, explains just why the arts were so vital in giving people with disabilities a voice.
She said: “It’s a safe environment for people to express their feelings in a way that doesn’t necessarily require writing or speaking. On the other hand some people have expressed themselves by performing in front of audiences.
“It’s been tremendously successful. In fact, we’re now looking at the possibility of an annual Disability Arts Festival showcasing the fantastic work for everyone’s benefit.”
Common themes have centred on access. One of the groups photographed people parking alongside dropped kerbs showing the problems it causes for wheelchair users. Another group produced labels saying “we don’t have an opinion” and “we don’t have a mind” to highlight misconceptions.
The consultation and work will form the basis of a document and film which will be distributed to key stakeholders including Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, Wigan Council and other partners to help identify how improvements in services can be made.
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Glossy Ibis Ruffles The Feathers At Pennington Flash
PENNINGTON Flash scored a Greater Manchester first for wildlif e after a rare visitor arrived on Sunday
More than a dozen twitchers dashed to the 200 hectare country park in Leigh following reports a Glossy Ibis had been spotted at 10.30am.
The Glossy Ibis or Plegadis falcinellus is classed as a national rarity in the UK and its arrival in Greater Manchester is a first.
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s Park Officer, Peter Alker said: “To put this in perspective there has only been 92 accepted records of this species in the whole of the UK in the 57 years from 1950 to 2006.
“It’s a national rarity and we would never have expected to see at Pennington Flash.
Unfortunately, the bird only stayed for 15 minutes before returning an hour later for another 15 minute spell.
Ian McKerchar from Manchester Birding Forum said: “This is a big deal in bird watching.
“To spot a Glossy Ibis in Greater Manchester is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for bird watchers in the county.
“We would never envisage a Glossy Ibis being spotted in the county and we don’t envisage it happening again.”
The Glossy Ibis is a wading bird in the ibis family Threskiornithidae. It is the most widespread ibis species, breeding in scattered sites in warm regions of Europe , Asia , Africa , Australia , and the Atlantic and Caribbean region of the Americas .
This species is migratory and is 55-65 cm long with an 88-105 cm wingspan. Breeding adults have reddish-brown bodies and shiny bottle-green wings. Non-breeders and juveniles have duller bodies. It has a brownish bill, dark facial skin bordered above and below in blue-gray (non-breeding) to cobalt blue (breeding), and red-brown legs.
Pennington Flash in Leigh, managed by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, is a 200 hectare Country Park , centred on a 70 hectare lake or "Flash".
More than 230 bird species have been recorded on site including such as Black-Faced Bunting, Nightingale, Marsh Harrier, Spoonbill and Leach’s Petrel.
In May this year a Great White Egret was spotted pruning its feathers at Pennington Flash. It was only the third ever sighting of the bird in Greater Manchester, and certainly the first at the Flash.
Last December Pennington Flash had another first for the county when a Cattle Egret turned up on the golf course. December is often a quiet month in bird watching terms so two firsts for the county in successive years is quite unprecedented and maintains the status of Pennington Flash as the best site in Greater Manchester for finding rare birds.
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