AN exciting “hands-on” history exhibition is being held in Evenwood at the weekend.
The unique event will allow visitors to handle rarely seen items from Evenwood and District History Society’s collection.
Brian Carter, from the society, said: “We’ve called it hands-on because the majority of what we are going to put out people can pick up, have a look at and, where necessary, have a go with.
“We’ve got things like old slide viewers with slides of Evenwood, so people can slot them in and out and have a look.
“There is a stereoscope, one of these where you put a slide in a get a three-dimensional view.”
Volunteer Jackie Dodds added: “We were donated some really nice stuff from New Moors Pottery that was at Evenwood Gate and we will have that on display as well. We’ve never shown this yet.
“It is interesting because it is Evenwood Gate as well and not just all about Evenwood.”
The factory was known for making brown pottery before extending to more colourful items.
When the factory closed it went to Wetheriggs, in Cumbria.
Mrs Dodds added that a recent addition to the society’s collection includes ledgers from Steele’s shop, which once traded in the village, which will be available for people to browse through.
She added: “We also have, which is treasure to us, the old Evenwood, Evenwood Gate and Ramshaw Rates Book for 1851. We have just had so much stuff donated over the years that has never seen the light of day and we thought it would be nice for people to see the kind of stuff we do collect as well as photographs and documents.”
Among the collection are trophies, including some obscure awards such as those for the best paper boy or girl in the village.
Mr Carter said: “It is mainly an exhibition to try and show people stuff they would not normally get to see. Up to now we have always done a themed exhibition like the coke works or the D-Day anniversary. We thought this will be very general with lots of stuff that normally would not be out on display [because they do not fit the theme].”
The exhibition is on Saturday, October 19, and Sunday, October 20, at St Peter’s Parish Hall, from noon to 4pm.
