Thursday 8th August saw the first of our “Friends only” events where Principal Arts & Heritage Officer Sean Baggaley showed us some of his favourite items in the One Seven Five exhibition. He then showed us around the art storeroom giving the details and background of some items currently in storage there. The members who attended all seemed to enjoy the evening very much.
FIRST “FRIENDS ONLY” EVENT.
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- Sean Baggaley shows Friends around the One Seven Five exhibition
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- And then explains some of the background to this Helen Bradley painting currently in storage
ROGER AND SEAN ON OLDHAM COMMUNITY RADIO
Friends Chairman Roger Hindle and Principal Arts & Heritage Officer Sean Baggaley were the guests on Oldham Community Radio’s “Oldham Today” programme on Thursday 29th August.
They spoke in detail about fundraising, Friends events, the Heritage & History Festival, the Oldham Open exhibition and the renovations of the Old Library.
It has been agreed with Oldham Community Radio to have a regular appearance on the programme so we can keep the people of Oldham up to date with The Friends Group and Gallery Oldham events.
Sean Baggaley and Roger Hindle in the Oldham Today studio
RAISE MONEY FOR FOGO WHILST SHOPPING ONLINE
The Friends of Gallery Oldham are now registered with easyfundraising, which means you can raise FREE donations for us every time you shop online. Over 7,000 brands will donate to us when you use easyfundraising to shop with them, even sale items, – at no extra cost to yourself!
Many popular companies are part of the scheme, including Amazon, eBay, B&Q, Pets at Home, Tesco – far too many to mention here but check to see if people you buy from are on the list.
These donations really mount up and make a BIG difference to us, so we’d really appreciate it if you could take a moment to sign up and support us. It’s completely FREE, really easy (if I can do it – anyone can) and only takes two minutes to register.
You can find our easyfundraising page at
https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/friends-gallery-oldham/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=pmc&utm_content=gs-email1
Even if you are already signed up to easyfundraising, you can change your choice to us.
GO FUND ME PAGE
We have also set up a “Go Fund Me” page with the intention of raising funds so that Gallery Oldham can purchase one of the exhibits from the Oldham Open exhibition. You can donate by using the following link. https://gofund.me/7539684f
WHAT’S ON AT GALLERY OLDHAM
The new “What’s On” brochure for October 24 to April 25 is now available at the Gallery and gives details of current and future exhibitions and events.
“Oldham Stories” continues as a permanent exhibition whilst “The Oldham Open 2024” will run until 23rd November and the “One Seven Five” exhibition continues until 11th January next year.
Future exhibitions are “Minute to Midnight” which will run from 7th December until 1st March, “The Lights” is on from 25th January to 28th April and finally “New Life in an Old Building” will run from 15th March until 30th May.
FRIENDS SEE PROGRESS ON OLD LIBRARY
On the 12th September, a number of Friends took the opportunity to have a look at the progress being made with the refurbishment of the Old Library. The “hard hat” tour was arranged by Sean Baggaley and representatives from Tilbury Douglas, the contractor carrying out the work. The building is scheduled for completion and handing back to OMBC and the Gallery next year. As soon as the refurbished gallery space is up and running, there will be a further opportunity for Friends to have a look around.
Friends getting ready for the tour of the Old Library
NEW WEBSITE COMING SOON.
Thanks to a very generous offer from local company “Inclusive Bytes”, we will soon have a brand-new website. Keep a look out for when https://gofriends.org.uk/ goes live.
FRIENDS EVENTS COMING UP
We have a few events arranged and I am please we can give more details below.
10th October – 6.30pm – With the Oldham Open Exhibition in full flow, we will hear from some of the Gallery staff who planned the event as well as some of the exhibitors who will give us an insight into the inspiration for their work.
2nd November – Midday to 5.15pm – Although not strictly a “Friends” event, Oldham Borough’s Big Birthday Bash celebrates the 175th anniversary of the Borough of Oldham. There are many different activities and events during the day, so check the Gallery website for more details.
12th December – 6.30pm – We will be holding an informal Friends evening in the lead up to Christmas, so join us for some festive refreshments and a chat about what things are already being planned for 2025 and let us know if you have any other suggestions. This will also be an opportunity for you to view the current exhibitions.
13th February 2025 – 6.30pm – As we mentioned in our first newsletter Senior Exhibition & Collections Office, Rebecca Hill, visited Japan earlier this year. She will give us a presentation on the background for the trip and what transpired during her time in the Land of the Rising Sun.
12th June 2025 – 6.30pm – This will be our first Annual General Meeting. Although no arrangements have been made yet, we hope to have a guest speaker.
FUNDING AND PUBLICITY ALWAYS WELCOME
Do you know of any local companies or organisations who may be able to either make a donation to us or allow us to apply for any charitable funding to help us with our aims and objectives, or do you know how we could spread the word of the Friends group by any other means? If so, please get in touch by emailing us at fogoldham@aol.com.
HELP RECRUIT NEW FRIENDS
If you have any friends or family who would be interested in joining The Friends of Gallery Oldham, please let us know or ask them to get in touch by emailing us at fogoldham@aol.com.
