A new creative chapter is unfolding in Accrington as DOME announces a series of open days on Accrington Town Square this August.
The small pop-up community venue is giving residents a taste of the kinds of exhibitions, displays and events that could be hosted in a major new creative hub, currently in development for the town.
Visitors to the DOME this August can enjoy a nostalgic new feature: a curated selection of historic images of Accrington, lovingly digitised and shared by Judith Murphy, daughter of the late Garth Dawson, the official photographer for the Accrington Observer from 1949 to 1984.
“When my dad passed away, I discovered a cellar full of negatives, decades of work documenting life in East Lancashire,” said Judith Murphy (pictured below).
“I couldn’t let them go to waste. Over four years, I have digitised more than 20,000 photos. These images tell a story of our town. Its people, churches, events, and everyday life. I approached this community venue to see if there was interest in showing them and I am so pleased they are being showcased. I have also been sharing them with Lancashire Archives too.”
A small projection space inside the DOME brings these rarely seen images to life, with local families already enjoying spotting familiar places and faces from years gone by.
Councillor Kimberley Whitehead, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Culture and Heritage at Hyndburn Borough Council, said:
“Accrington DOME is all about exploring how we can celebrate culture, heritage and creativity right at the heart of our town. Judith’s generous sharing of her father’s incredible archive connects generations and reminds us why Accrington’s story deserves to be seen and remembered. This is just the beginning.
“It has been great to hear families chatting about places they remember, spotting familiar faces in some of the images and seeing young people engage more with local heritage of the area.”
Upcoming public opening sessions at Accrington DOME, where it is free to drop in and view the images:
- Friday 8th August, 11am–3pm
- Saturday 9th August, 10am–12pm
- Friday 15th August, 11am–3pm
- Saturday 16th August, 12pm–2pm
Accrington DOME is located in a small blue shop, opposite Accrington Market Hall.
Each open session includes small community exhibitions, different free creative crafts, and the historic photo projection for visitors of all ages to enjoy.
To stay up to date and discover more, follow Accrington DOME on social media. This project is made possible thanks to National Lottery players. Hyndburn Borough Council were successful in securing a development phase grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for this project.
