St Thomas The Martyr Parish Church
Up Holland, Lancashire
UP HOLLAND THROUGH THE AGES EXHIBITION: MAY 15th-19th 2007

This exhibition was one of the big events in this Anniversary year. It brought together many of the famous artefacts that have captured Up Holland and its events over the years. The exhibition was in the church itself and ran from Tuesday 15th to Saturday 19th May.

Highlights at the exhibition were:

*the original Charles Towne painting of Up Holland church, created in 1815, on display at the altar (thanks to Wigan History Shop);

*the only original copy of the prayer written in illuminated manuscript on parchment by the Carmelite Sisters in College Road, Up Holland, the first version of which was placed on the moon by the Apollo 16 Space Mission in April 1972 as well as supporting news articles (yes...you read it correctly...part of Up Holland is on the moon!);

*photos of old Up Holland;

*a video of reminiscences from local residents;

*a superb central display from all the local primary schools depicting Up Holland life and events (the schools are St Thomas The Martyr, St Teresa's, Roby Mill and Bishop Martin, Digmoor)

The photos below give you a flavour of what the exhibition contained. There are many people and organisations to thank but I would particularly like to give a special mention to Harold and Jean Charnock who organised many of the stands and indeed stood there day in, day out, sharing their knowledge and memories of the area and past events.

Ven. Peter Bradley
Archdeacon of Warrington and Rector, St Thomas The Martyr
Sunday 20th May
The display from the Up Holland Carmelite Sisters, the centrepiece being the only other copy in existence of the prayer that they wrote in 1972 for the Apollo 16 Space Mission... ...and here it is in close-up. Where is the first version of this? ON THE MOON!! Yes, seriously!
Here is the newspaper article from 23rd April 1972 that explains the background to the prayer tapestry Some of the wonderful costumes on display. Two school parties were visiting at the time of taking this shot and the girls could be heard to say "wouldn't you just love to wear that dress?" Who says they are old-fashioned?!!
A view of the Millennium Chapel with some of the displays in the background and the Anniversary Collage running along the South Wall Some more displays depicting scenes of Up Holland over the years. Many of them were taken by local residents, some of which will be attending the stands, so why not ask them what it was like to live in Up Holland then?
Some of the wonderful artwork showing scenes of Up Holland A wide shot of the church - the fantastic colourful school displays can be seen towards the back of the shot and the many local displays in the side aisles. See below for close-ups of the schools' work....
St Thomas The Martyr CE Primary School display Roby Mill CE Primary School display
St Teresa's Catholic Primary School display Bishop Martin CE Primary School display
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