Photography exhibition will highlight the history of Unsworth and Whitefield

The Views of Unsworth and Whitefield, which runs from Monday, June 7 until Thursday, June 17, takes place at the Unsworth Centre on Sunny Bank Road and will show how the area has changed in the last hundred years, from a small hamlet with a few farms and cottages to the busy place it is today.

Lots of familiar landmarks such as Unsworth Pole, local pubs and schools and sports clubs can be seen in the collection of images which are taken from the digital archive of Bury Libraries and Archive Service.

Students from Elms Bank College have been involved in the selection and have worked with volunteers from the local community to research the pictures using historic maps, books, walks and online resources. The showcase will be include a ‘Memory Book’ where visitors can write down their memories of the area and add to the information about the photographs on display.

The exhibition is one of the first events to be hosted by the Unsworth Centre, which is run and managed by Elms Bank School and College.

Orienne Langley-Sadler, headteacher of Elms Bank School and College, said: “We look forward to welcoming the local community of Unsworth and Whitefield into the Unsworth Centre to see this new exhibition.

"We hope it will be a great success and we can’t wait to hear their stories and memories of local landmarks.”

A bric-a-brac and craft stall will also be running during the exhibition with all proceeds going to the Friends of the Unsworth Centre. Takeaway hot and cold drinks and snacks will be available to purchase from the cafe.

Social distancing measures and a one way system will be in place. All visitors will be asked to wear a mask while in the building and to submit their details for Covid-19 test and trace.

The exhibition is open Monday to Thursday 10am – 2pm. Entry is free of charge but all donations are gratefully received.

The exhibition has been funded by an Awards for All grant from the National Lottery Community Fund.