Talking Shop: Project Pride Accrington
Accrington Market Hall
With generous support from Heritage Lottery Fund Young Roots programme, we worked with artists and groups of young people to research and interpret the heritage of Accrington Market Hall for the local community.
During 2011 Textile artist Lisa Watson worked with young people from Hollins Technology College to create a large-scale set of banners that are now hanging in Accrington Market Hall. They tell the story of the building and the many shoppers, workers and stallholders that have passed through its doors over the last century, with text and images on a background of colourful fabric. The group have also been working with Huckleberry Films to document and promote the project. You can see the short film they made together about the Accrington project here.
Huckleberry Films also worked with us to produce a documentary about all the Project Pride activity which took place across Accrington, Nelson and Burnley, which you can view here.
You can also read the artist’s blog about the project here.
Through researching the history of their town the young people leading the project wanted to explore what made their area unique and encourage the community to celebrate their heritage. Visits to local museums, libraries, archives and sites enabled the group to understand what they have to be proud of in Pennine Lancashire. We are now telling these stories to the community through the artwork we have produced.
Supported by Heritage Lottery Fund Young Roots programme www.hlf.org.uk
