A picture perfect tribute to Martyn
OLD photos of Burscough, and other memorabilia, will be on show in a two-day exhibition this weekend dedicated to the late local photographer Martyn Snape.
The annual Images of Burscough and Surrounding Areas exhibition will feature 700+ photographs with many new additions, and a large variety of local memorabilia, including from the former Naval Air Station, HMS Ringtail.
The Deputy Mayor of West Lancs, Cllr Terry Aldridge, has been invited to open the event which takes place at the main hall at the Stanley Club in Burscough on Saturday and Sunday, October 19 and 20. Entry is free and the exhibition will be open from 10am to 4pm.
Martyn Snape, who died in June this year, was widely known locally and was a frequent visitor to the exhibitions. Some of his photography will also be on display.
Organiser Michael Dawson said: “He was an absolutely lovely guy and very well known.
“We shared a lot of the same interests in local history and we always used to meet up at the same places. We invite people to come down and have a look at some of his work. Some of his family members will also be here.”
Over the weekend, several local groups will be attending with displays, such as Paul Smith’s Ormskirk Museum, Richard Houghton of Lathom & Burscough Military Heritage Society with a display of local servicemen, Ormskirk & District Family History Society and Alan Barrow with WWII Airmen of West Lancashire.
Anyone with any photos of the airmen is also invited to take them along. Many old local cine films will be played on a large screen in the hall.
The exhibition also covers Rufford, Lathom, Newburgh, Parbold, Scarisbrick and Ormskirk.
Michael said: “There will be something for everyone.
“Since we started in 2010 it’s spread to the surrounding areas of Burscough. There’s also plenty to see, with a wide range from two mortar shells from the siege of the original Lathom House, which are a really recent addition, to Jeanie Pritchard, who restores teddies and dolls.”
To make sure there is something for the younger generation and their parents, Clare from Amy’s Amazing Stories will be in attendance with a range of children’s books for sale.
Clare is responsible for the Burscough Find A Book craze, which involves the community hiding books around the village for children to find, which means lots of books will be hidden around the exhibition over the weekend. Another popular craze with children at the moment is Burscough Rocks Hide and Seek so there’ll be lots of Halloween-themed rocks to find.
There will also be a stall selling various local photographic books, mounted prints, calendars and various other gifts to help raise money for our group. Also free samples of lemon slab cake and gingerbread will be available along with tea and coffee.
Michael said: “We just invite people to come along as not only the exhibition really fascinating, but it’s also a real community event. People bump into each other and discuss what’s on display and it’s a really great chance to chat to and meet new people.”
‘Images of Burscough’ is a voluntary community group which started in 2010.
To find out more, please visit www.images-of-burscough. co.uk/ or there are two Facebook groups that can be found under Images of Burscough and Surrounding Areas.