Pictures and memorabilia exhibition will bring back memories

CHEADLE Discovery Group, the local heritage group that owns the Blythe Colours industrial archive has announced the date of its Celebration Exhibition ‘150 Years of Blythe Colours.’

The major exhibition postponed from last year contains a number of pictures not previously available of Blythe Colours plants and people.

“The pictures and memorabilia will bring back memories of Blythe Colours products, processes and people for so many local people who have worked at the factory based at Cresswell and other plants locally,” explained trustee Ivan Wozniak.

“We want the exhibition to be the focal point for sharing memories as well as meeting up with old colleagues.

“This exhibition has been funded by a grant from Johnson Matthey, previously the parent company to Blythe Colours. The funding has allowed the digitalisation of many negatives from the archive and made them available for public viewing for the first time. In addition, a video has been recorded charting the history of Blythe Colours and its importance locally as a centre of worldwide excellence in ceramic colours.

“Audio memories recorded last year by former employees will also provide soundbites of real experiences. A demonstration of porcelain painting by talented local artists will complement the exhibition on the day.”

A special feature of this exhibition is the story of how the Cresswell site was used as a USA military base during World War 2. The story has been researched and compiled in the last two years by former employee and local history enthusiast, Jill Crowther.

Many of the pictures have been provided from the archive of the late Barry Phillips.

The full exhibition is available for one day only, 10am-1pm on Saturday, April 30 at Blythe Centre, the library in Blythe Bridge. A limited display is however available for viewing throughout April at the same venue. More info can be found on facebook. com/cheadlediscoverygroup

Ivan continued: “This is an exciting time for the Discovery Group after the frustrations of Covid. The Group have plans for exciting new projects to follow the Blythe Colours exhibition.

“To complete these projects we are looking to recruit additional members especially those interested in projects involving local history or heritage.”

Anyone thinking about volunteering is invited to email volunteer@ discovercheadle.co.uk .