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A ‘Bloomin’ Lovely’ exhibition celebrating the natural wonder of botany,
gardening and vegetable cultivation is on display now at the History
Shop, Wigan.
Running through to 20th January 2007, the exhibition charts the
horticultural history of Wigan Borough ranging from the rolling
countryside of Haigh Hall through to public parks, private gardens and
allotments.
Yvonne Webb, Collections Development Manager, for Wigan Leisure and
Culture Trust said, “The cultivation of plants has been essential to us
since Neolithic times. This exhibition looks at the importance of plants
for food, medicines, pleasure, and even social control! It is both
photographic and textual and delves into the development of the ‘garden’
from the 19th century through to the present day. The sociological
element is very interesting. Modern council housing brought about the
idea of private gardens and records show that many of the healthy living
objectives of today were also at the heart of the Victorian ideal.”
The exhibition is ideal for those with a particular interest in
horticulture and local history in general. One of the most interesting
facts revealed is the startling increase in the number of botanical
societies which flourished in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Similarly, ‘Bloomin’ Lovely’ documents the war years and the years of
economic depression in the 20th century, when authorities turned to
horticulture to provide food, work and hope for thousands of people.
Yvonne continued, “The growth of botanical societies and horticultural
competitions encouraged neat and tidy gardens and helped to increase
civic pride and care for the environment. During the war years and the
years of economic depression in the 20th century, authorities turned to
horticulture to provide food, work and hope for thousands of people.
Today, many of us garden to relieve the stress of modern life, it has
developed into the multi-million pound industry”
The ’Bloomin’ Lovely’ exhibition is at the History Shop, Library Street,
Wigan through to 20th January 2007. For further details call 01942
828128 or visit
www.wlct.org/heritage
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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 over
300,000 residents in the Wigan Borough. See
www.wlct.org
Getting Wigan Active: Getting Wigan Active is Wigan Leisure and Culture
Trust’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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Mesnes Park in bloom |