Ref: tn_10405
Date: 18th October 2005

Hindley Ladies Discover Hidden Talents
Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s ‘Arts for All’ project has had a profound effect on a talented group of ladies from Hindley who are now enjoying their moment in the limelight. Textile artist Elizabeth Smith has worked closely with Hindley Ladies’ Friendly Circle to produce a magnificent tapestry celebrating Hindley’s history and the community in which they all live.

As a result of funding from the Arts Council the tapestry was originally showcased at the ‘Arts For All’ festival, which took place at Haigh Hall in July this year. The piece will now take pride of place in a prominent position at Hindley Library.

Lena Boulton from Hindley Ladies’ Friendly Circle (pictured) says, “I think the ladies have realised talents they didn’t know they had. Some had never done tapestry before and they got real satisfaction out of the project. We enjoyed putting it together and the artist allowed us to have a lot of our own input. We have all enjoyed the companionship and working together, the end product is fabulous, unbelievable! People really like it because it’s local - it’s about Hindley and its history and community. We couldn’t have done the project without Elizabeth’s guidance, she did a fantastic job of pulling our ideas together.”

Quotes about the past and historical photographs of local people have been transferred onto fabric and set in a framework of patchwork and canvas work embroidery (popularly known as tapestry). The colours and designs in the piece are all inspired by the decorative brickwork found on older houses in Hindley.

The Trust’s Arts Development Officer, Martin Green, says, “Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust is pleased to have supported a wide range of artistic community based work over the last year. Taking art and artists into the community and local settings is very important in enhancing peoples lives and giving them opportunities they may not otherwise have access to. Social and learning skills can be developed through the arts and we are always seeking to work with different people in the borough on a wide variety of visual, music and performing arts projects.”

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NOTES TO EDITORS: For further information on this News Release please contact Chris Dunbar, Public Relations Officer, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust on 01942 486937 or at c.dunbar@wlct.org

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust: Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust is a charitable trust working on behalf of Wigan Council to manage and support Leisure and Cultural facilities, initiatives and events for 300,000 residents across the Wigan Borough.

Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is WLCT’s vision to ensure that people across the Wigan Borough have the opportunity to become more physically, mentally and creatively active. It also aims to increase community activity and to encourage good citizenship.

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Image: Hindley Ladies' Friendly Circle
Weaving Success: Hindley Ladies' Friendly Circle

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