‘All Our Stories’ opening at Northwich’s Weaver Hall Museum & Workhouse

A fascinating exhibition opens at Northwich’s Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse, on 15th July, created by Snow Angels, a Cheshire-based social enterprise that supports older people, including people with learning disabilities.

‘All our Stories’ is funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and tells individuals’ stories, starting in the 1700s with the ‘Cheshire Prophet’. It also includes the unknown stories of young men with learning disabilities who served in World War I.  There is no cost to view this temporary exhibition, which lasts until the end of September, but an admission charge applies to visit the rest of the museum.* For further information call 01606 271640 or go to:

www.westcheshiremuseums.co.uk    

The exhibition involved extensive research from multiple independent sources, especially Cheshire Archives. Importantly, it followed discussions with other group members about how these stories should be publicly represented. This included working closely with groups, including People’s Choice, which is devising a drama about the Northwich Workhouse in the 1800s.  

Snow Angels was founded in 2012 as a social enterprise and its Happy Mondays Lunch Club, (combined with activities for older people with learning disabilities) runs every week from 11am -2pm, at Weaver Hall Museum & Workhouse, based in Northwich.   

Cathy Boyd, Director at Snow Angels CIC, said: “’All Our Stories’ is about showing the lives of people with learning disabilities who lived in Cheshire in the past and ensuring that their heritage is represented. Our research reveals that Cheshire has a unique heritage – with stories such as the renowned ‘Cheshire Prophet’, Robert Nixon from Winsford.  We are also developing this project through collecting oral histories and working with local group on a range of creative projects.”   

Councillor Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “This is a wonderfully innovative exhibition revealing unknown but important stories. It just shows how information kept for years in archives can throw fresh light on the heritage of different communities in Cheshire. I would encourage everyone to visit this free exhibition."   

Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse, based at 162 London Road, Northwich is located in the atmospheric former Northwich Union Workhouse building, started in 1837. A short distance from central Northwich ,during its working life, the workhouse provided a last refuge for the poor of mid-Cheshire until it closed in 1968. Today, visitors can get a fascinating insight into the building’s history by exploring the workhouse schoolroom, the Master’s sitting room and formidable double-heighted, Guardian’s Boardroom, in which weekly meetings took place to make decisions about the care of the poor.    

All Our Stories Exhibition was funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council.  

Weaver Hall Museum & Workhouse - Opening hours:  

Tuesday to Friday, 10am – 1.30pm and 2pm – 5pm (last admission at 4.30pm)  

Saturday and Sunday, 2pm – 5pm (last admission at 4.30pm)  

Closed on Monday