FRIENDS TOUR OF ARCHIVE.
Our August “Friends Only” event took place on Tuesday 11th when we had a tour of the new Archive on Ascroft Street. We had a fantastic turnout and hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did.
The entrance of the new Archive facility on Ascroft Street.
A huge thank you to Archivist Jan Hicks, who gave us a fascinating and in-depth behind-the-scenes look at the facility. It was amazing to see how much work goes into preserving Oldham’s past, and we loved exploring the rooms and collections.
For the first time in more than 50 years, all archives and local studies artefacts are stored together under one roof, including the Oldham Chronicle archive, old Ordinance Survey maps, electoral roll records as well as thousands of other photographs, images and documents.
The Archive is open Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm and Saturday 10am to 1pm, but is closed on Bank Holidays and between Christmas and New Year.
When visiting in person to view anything specific, it would be best to book an appointment in advance as this enables the team to get everything ready in time for your visit. Where possible, they will try to provide on the day access to archive collections, but this cannot be guaranteed.
If you need any further information or have any questions, please phone Jan and her colleagues on 0161 770 4654 or email them at archives@oldham.gov.uk
Archivist Jan Hicks shows the Friends some of the Ordinance Survey maps in the collection.
ROGER & ANNE ON OLDHAM COMMUNITY RADIO.
Did you catch Roger & Anne on Oldham Community Radio? On Tuesday 18th August they were guests on “Oldham Today” which was presented by Gerald Brierley and Paula Le Moignan.
Roger spoke about the benefits for Friends Membership as well as what was happening at the Gallery with the new visitor’s app and all the preparations for the “Oldham Open”, whilst Anne spoke in detail about her upcoming solo exhibition at Gallery Oldham. They also spoke about our Art Fair coming up in October.
We also tried to come up with some art related music for the programme but only managed to come up with Brian and Michael – Matchstalk Men and Matchstalk Cats and Dogs and Nat King Cole – Mona Lisa. If you can think of any others, let us know.
If you missed it, you can catch the programme again on line via the Oldham Community Radio website.
Roger, Anne, Gerald & Paula in the Oldham Community Radio studio
BAFM “GROUP OF THE YEAR”.
As you may remember from previous newsletters, earlier in the year we joined BAFM, the British Association of Friends of Museums.
We recently received notification that we came runner-up in their “Friends of the Year” awards for 2026.
We were one of only two of the nominations put forward by BAFM’s Vice Chairman, David Adgar to the funders of the prize – The Marsh Charitable Trust – but unfortunately, they gave their final decision in favour of the other group.
David did say that the feedback was that the final decision was very close.
In due course, we will receive a certificate of merit as runner-up and obviously we can try again next year.
GOODBYE ANDREW.
Thursday 3rd September saw the final working day for one of the Gallery’s popular members of staff, Customer Experience Assistant Andrew Heathcote, as he retired.
Chairman Roger Hindle congratulates Andrew on his retirement.
After over 22 years at Gallery Oldham, Andrew decided to retire. On his last day, he told Friends Chairman, Roger Hindle that one of his first jobs when he started at Gallery Oldham was helping with the delivery days for the Oldham Open exhibition and he wanted to close his career in the same way.
Roger said “Andrew has been a great help to the Friends group over the last couple of years and I would like to thank him for all his assistance. We wish him all the best. Here’s to a long, happy and healthy retirement.”
One colleague told Roger the following day, “It was really strange coming into work this morning and Andrew not being there. He was normally first in”.
SUNDIAL INSTALLED.
You may have seen in our March newsletter we reported that Sean Baggaley had approached the Friends group to ask if we would be willing to fund a sundial to be installed in the gardens outside the old library, something we willingly agreed to do.
We are pleased to let you know that the sundial was installed on 4th September and looks great.
All we need now is the Oldham sunshine.
The sundial fixed in position in the gardens outside the old library
“WILD LIVES” EXHIBITION NOW OPEN.
Massive congratulations to our Vice Chair, Anne Bardsley on the opening of her solo exhibition at Gallery Oldham.
Her “Wild Lives” exhibition is well worth a visit and runs until 7th November.
Original artwork is for sale as well as a wide range of prints. Speak to any member of staff either in the gallery or the shop.
A busy exhibition opening for Anne Bardsley
ART FAIR – HELP NEEDED.
Our Art Fair on Saturday 17th October is now only a matter of a few weeks away. We are now at the stage where we are asking for volunteers to help on the day. If you have a few hours free and could help in any way, please let us know the times you are available and what you would like to help with so we can ensure all areas are covered.
If you would like to put forward any of your work to go on our “Made by Members” stall, please email gofriendsartfair@gmail.com for details.
Even if you cannot help on the day, please come along and see what talent there is within Oldham and support local artists. You may even get some Christmas present ideas.
UPCOMING FRIENDS ONLY EVENTS.
We have two “Friends Only” events scheduled for October and December.
8th October 2026 – As we did during the last Oldham Open in 2024, we will be inviting some of the exhibitors to talk about their style and what they are showing in the exhibition.
10th December 2026 – Details still to be confirmed – but will have a Christmas theme and also might have something else to make the evening even more special.
We have been offered visits to both Northern Roots and 1853 Studio’s which we will arrange dates for soon. If you have any ideas or suggestions for a Friends event, or if you can offer a presentation to us, please let us know by emailing fogoldham@aol.com
WHAT’S ON AT GALLERY OLDHAM.
The permanent displays continue with “Our Beautiful Oldham” in the main Gallery space, the Oldham Panorama on the bridge, along with “Cotton Stories”, the 1883 Art Gallery and “Oldham and the World” in the old library.
“Wild Lives” by Anne Bardsley runs until 7th November in Gallery One. This exhibition celebrates the beauty, character and vulnerability of animals. Anne’s mixed media and oil portraits are full of colour, energy and personality. The collection features endangered wildlife, working animals and often overlooked species.
If you would like to apply to exhibit in this space in the future, please email katie.madden@oldham.gov.uk for more details and the application criteria.
Galleries Two and Three are now being prepared for the ever popular Bi-annual “Oldham Open”. This exhibition showcases the extraordinary range of talented people who live, work or study in the borough of Oldham. There will be a wide variety of artists and styles on display, across painting, photography, ceramics, textiles and sculpture. Some of the work will be for sale, so it’s a great opportunity to pick up some Christmas presents while supporting artists in our area. As a member of the Friends group, you are invited to a special preview evening on Thursday 17th September at 6pm. The exhibition officially opens on 19th September and will run until 14th November.
The new “What’s On” brochure for October onwards is at the printers and will be available later this month. A pdf version will be sent to all members as soon as it becomes available.
FRIENDS CAN NOW GET 10% OFF AT GALLERY OLDHAM SHOP
Don’t forget that members of The Friends of Gallery Oldham are eligible for a 10% discount in the Gallery Oldham shop. Just show staff the email sent to you with your membership card. This offer only applies to shop stock and cannot be used for purchases of art work from exhibitions, printing & photocopying and event tickets etc.
EASY WAYS TO RAISE FUNDS FOR FOGO
There are some easy ways you can help boost our funds and get some benefits yourself.
Easyfundraising offers organisations the chance to raise FREE donations when you shop online. Recently it has been announced that shopping in person at participating retailers can also now raise free donations when you download their App. So far, we have received over £133. If you need any more information or help with signing up, please contact our Treasurer, Tricia Golden.
We are now registered as a ‘good cause’ with the Oldham Community Lottery. Tickets are only £1 per week and if you chose us as the organisation you want to support, we can receive over half the ticket value and who knows, you may also win! You can sign up and buy your tickets using the link below. https://www.oldhamcommunitylottery.co.uk/support/the-friends-of-gallery-oldham?utm_campaign=cause-page-social-share&utm_source=cause-page&utm_medium=social&utm_content=Hyperlink
If 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, please get in touch by emailing us at fogoldham@aol.com.
