Oldham's 175 exhibit showcasing town's historical pride

I went down to the exhibit to learn the stories of Oldham's past and here's what I thought.

The exhibition, being held in gallery one, explores the wide-ranging history, from the women of Oldham's significant contributions to the suffragette movement to the deep-rooted love of chips.

Some of the classical paintings with links to Oldham (Image: Newsquest)

Entering the gallery, visitors are greeted with an original banner that Oldham's suffragettes carried with them as they marched to Hyde Park in London, as well as memorabilia from Annie Kenney and Marjory Lees such as a diary and a scrapbook. 

There is then a collectors case with caps, shirts medals and more from Oldham's rich rugby league history.

One item in this feature is a shirt from an England match Vs France in 1939 which was worn by a player from Oldham.

The Collectors case filled with rugby league memorabilia (Image: Newsquest)

Visitors can also see a bust of Sir Winston Churchill, the prime minister who guided Britain through the Second World War, but was also an MP for Oldham earlier in his political career.

The back of the gallery features a fish and chip cooking range, which was recovered from a chippy in Little Lever, Bolton, and made by Mallinson's of Oldham, who still make fish and chip ranges today.

Hanging on the wall next to this is a banner made by Ed Hall for Manchester International Festival and Cornerhouse.

The banner features a singular, giant chip and cherub angels surrounding it behind golden writing reading: "The adoration of the chip - Oldham."

Mallinson's fish and chip range (Image: Newsquest)

A section of taxidermy animals is also part of the exhibit with additions of plastic props to portray the issue of pollution. 

The animals featured are ones that can be found on the moors in and around Oldham, such as a stoat.

On the other side of the exhibition, there are classic and contemporary artworks created by artists hailing from Oldham, including an oil canvas of Saddleworth Viaduct by Greenfield artist, Edwin Bottomley from 1885.

Edwin Bottomley's Saddleworth Viaduct (Image: Newsquest, painting: Edwin Bottomley)

There are also pieces relating to the rich textile past of the town including tools from cotton mills and dyed fabrics.

For children visiting the gallery, they can dress up as mill workers to see how they would look if they were born in this period, and can read the stories of mill children on 'clock cards'.

Overall, the exhibition was enjoyable, with fascinating installations for both adults and children in that all of Oldham's people can take pride in their town's history laid out before them.