Preston Centre walk 31st January 2023

Posted on 3 February 2023 by Pete of MIP

A windy wintery day. The Harris Museum parcelled for refurbishment viewed from Lancaster Road. How bright will it look when all is revealed in 2024.

The Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library under cover until 2024. As at 31st January 2023.

The Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library on 31st January 2023. Under cover until 2024.

Preston Market, half outdoor, half indoor. The old Victorian Covered Market with another just across the road. Big and busy.

Preston’s Victorian Covered Market with an indoor section at the far end.

Wallace and Gromit outside the Preston Market entrance.

Wallace and Gromit outside Preston Market

Orchard Street with the Black Horse pub on the right and St George’s Shopping Centre across the road.

The view of St George’s Shopping Centre entrance from Orchard Street

The corner of Friargate and Ringway being reworked up to Fleet Street.

In Fox Street, the old St Wilfred’s School with two Blue Plaques.

Fox Street’s old buildings.

Fishergate looking east.

Fishergate looking west with the former Baptist Church, now a Bistro Pierre.

Travelling west down Fishergate Hill with Lancashire County Council’s building next to the railway line.

Strand Road with the former East Works of English Electric Traction, Dick Kerrs and more lately Alstom, now empty probably.

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A few photos of Preston 9th January 2023

Posted on 20 January 2023 by Pete of MIP

A short walk in Preston with a few photos on the 9th January 2023.

A view from the train of part of the University of Central Lancashire, UCLan. Ever growing and now a major, perhaps the major, part of the centre of Preston.

The University of Central Lancashire from the train 9th January 2023

University of Central Lancashire from the train
9th January 2023
www.madeinpreston.co.uk

After walking from the station along the main shopping street, Fishergate, you come to Crystal House, with its new cladding, opposite Waterstones. The almost new former cladding being replaced after Grenfell. A decent Waterstones with 2 large floors and dark coloured shelves to differentiate it from less serious branches with pine coloured shelves. This Waterstones was the main store of Booth’s the Grocers with it’s cafe of pinafore dressed waitresses, quite posh. Booths is now mainly large stores out of town.

We had coffee in a place called Rise!, in Miller Arcade, which was pretty good.

University of Central Lancashire from the train
9th January 2023
www.madeinpreston.co.uk

St Georges Anglican Church off Lune Street near the corner of Friargate. Built in 1725 and added to several times since. It’s said to be attractive inside and has regular services. One day we’ll go in.

St Geroge’s Church off Lune Street Preston 9t hJanuary 2023

The Corn Exchange on Lune Street. It started as a Corn Exchange, then became the Public Hall which was a music centre with a balcony all round. The Beatles played there twice. Now it’s a pub. Outside is the stonework commemorating troops firing on the Chartists.

The Corn Exchange, Lune Street, Preston 9th January 2023

St Geroge’s Church off Lune Street Preston 9t hJanuary 2023

The Central Methodist Church on Lune Street.

The Central Methodist Church, Lune Street Preston 9t hJanuary 2023

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Book Review: Types and Shadows – A history of Preston City Parish

Posted on 8 January 2023 by Pete of MIP

Although published in 2015, we only recently stumbled upon this book in Preston Libary. The library is now in the Guild Hall unfortunately while the Harris is refurbished, what a shame about the Guild Hall as well, but that’s another story.

The reading of this book was largely by dipping in. Although the book isn’t very long, 145 pages, it seems more the sort of book you’d dip into. It’s written in an academic manner which is good but isn’t the easiest read.

It begins with a foreword by Lord Derby who makes the stand out comment that for people in the south the term ‘once in a Preston Guild’ means nothing. It’s one of those things that small and unintended slights niggle. Although I have actually met Lord Derby and he went out of his way to greet people and gave a great speech very fitting to a local event.

The next section is called the Introit. Looking it up, it’s a psalm or antiphon sung or said while the priest approaches the altar for the Eucharist. This starts with a nicely written page describing Preston’s link with the church and continues in two more sections.

The book then covers the history of Preston in not too much depth but with depth of thought in the areas covered. There are a lot of old maps and church art. It’s always interested me that Preston has one of the strongest Roman Catholic presences in England. The book also covers each church in the parish.

I’ve written this without reading the whole book and if it wasn’t so highly priced I’d buy it without doubt. But for now it will be returned to the library and if I stumble upon it somewhere it might become a purchase.

Types and Shadows – A history of Preston City Parish by Edmund J Crichton.

Click here to view our webpage including other history books about Preston

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A few photos from a walk in Preston 1st November 2022

Posted on 3 November 2022 by Pete of MIP

Walking from the south east corner of the open Fishergate Centre car park you go out onto the street and turn right past a small car park and carry on to Milller Park. The view is below:

Miller Park, Preston, 1st November 2022

There are some nice properties in the area:

Property near Miller Park, Preston

Walking back into the centre through Winckley Square along Cross Street to pedestrianised Cannon Street, there are some interesting properties. Remember the song Matthew and Son, the work’s never done.

Cannon Street, Preston

Glovers Court from Waterstones taking a back route along Cross Street and Winckley Square to the car park:

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Harris Museum and Art Gallery Jigsaw 2022

Posted on 10 October 2022 by Pete of MIP

In 2022 a new jigsaw of the Harris Museum and Art Gallery is available to buy at the Library. Note that while the Harris building is being upgraded the Library is in the Guild Hall.

Photo of the Harris Museum, Preston, Jigsaw(half of it) and box

The jigsaw is a 360 degree photo of inside the building and it looks like it’s a photo of some time ago. It’s not an easy jigsaw and has some quirky features such as being long and thin and one that would be a spoiler to say what it is.

Until you do it you don’t realise how little you know of some features but how much you know of others. It’s a well designed jigsaw with pieces that look similar having a similar shape, but they aren’t the same. It involved some swapping around when the mistakes come to light. At first it seems like it will take years to do then things suddenly speed up. All part of the fun of jigsaws.

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Covid 19 data in Preston March 15th 2021

Posted on 15 March 2021 by Pete of MIP

Preston appeared to have less Covid 19 than similar places in northwest England but in late February the slow decline left Preston in the top ten case areas in England and on some measures, it is said, at the top.

On 10th March 2021 Preston was 7th in England and top in the north-west with 142 cases per 100,000 on a 7 day average. Blackburn and Darwen was 12th. South Ribble 23rd. Data taken from Gov website by @UKCovid19Stats on twitter.

The charts below are from the Government websites:

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British Commercial Vehicle Museum re-opens after Covid Closure

Posted on 28 July 2020 by Pete of MIP

On Saturday 18th July 2020 the British Commercial Vehicle Museum (BCVM) in Leyland re-opened after its Covid-19 Closure.

We visited just a few days later. The first museum visit for several months. Things have been adjusted to protect everyone.

On arrival just after 10am there was space on the museum car park and plenty of space on the Park and Display Car Park next door. We were going to look round Leyland so paid just 80p for 3 hours parking.

At the door we were greeted by a happy gent wearing a visor who took our contact info for test and trace, if needed. Then we paid to enter, buying an annual pass. It makes it easier to decide where to go when you don’t need to pay extra.

In the cafe the tables are more spread out with a one way system, the serving staff wore visors. We had a coffee.

The museum has sanitation points all around to keep your hands clean. Especially on the touch displays, which you are advised to use a pencil provided to make selections. Plus the lorry simulator and other walk on displays.

A one way scheme is in operation for a circuit round the museum. There didn’t seem to be as many buses as usual. The Fishwick’s were there and the Ribble Tiger Cub coach, a classic. An interesting exhibit not seen before is the Petrol Tanker, a large item. The TV Detector van stood out. How could anyone not see that outside your house.

The TV Detector Van at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum

The TV Detector van with its 2 antennae for detecting your TV and checking if you have a TV license.

We browsed in the shop and bought a BCVM shopping bag, you never know when you’ll need it.

After the museum we walked to the Railway Station to look at some trains, about a 10 minute walk. Quite a bit of rail traffic with the Pendolino ‘City of Preston’ passing at speed on a Glasgow to London train.

Avanti West Coast Pendolino ‘City of Preston’ passes Leyland

With our annual pass there’ll be more visits.

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Harris Your Place – Plan up for Review

Posted on 26 June 2020 by Pete of MIP

The Harris Museum, Art Gallery and Library is proposing a major facelift. So far £3.7 million is in place and support and development funding from National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England. The next stage is a £4.5 million application in November 2020. A further £2.3 million will come from donations.

The plan includes making better space for local artists and events and families. Creating ‘blended’ art, museum, book exhibitions. Changing the library. Moving the cafe and shop and opening new doors for access to the building. A lift will be installed in the south east corner.

Find out more at the bottom of the page.

#HarrisYourPlace proposal June 2020

#HarrisYourPlace proposal June 2020

To read more, view plans and videos about the scheme please view the The Harris website page on this link.

Harris Your Place Consultation

There is also a survey and a Zoom consultation on the page. Note that the survey will close in early July.

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Work Starts on new Western Distributor Road

Posted on 13 March 2020 by Pete of MIP

Work is underway on the M55 to create a new junction for the Preston Western Distributor also at the A583 intersection. This new road will link Preston and the southern Fylde: Freckleton, Warton, Lytham St Annes, to the M55 early in 2023.

The Preston Western Distributor will link the A583 Preston to Blackpool main road and the M55 motorway and could be the start of a new River Ribble crossing.

Thousands of new houses are being built in the area north west of Preston.

Map of the Preston Western Distributor Road courtesy Lancashire County Council:

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The Harris Open Art Exhibition 2019

Posted on 16 December 2019 by Pete of MIP

Between 14th December 2019 and into the new decade 26th January 2020 is the Open Art Exhibition at the Harris in Preston city centre for artists living in the PR post code.

Three big rooms of local art. Not to forget the 3 other big rooms of Fine Art and the landings full of art, pottery and glassware, and Discover Preston and more.

This year has another big turn out of interesting work in the materials of paint, thread, cloth, wood, pot, metal, and more, a good catch all phrase ‘and more’.

Most of it is on sale, some are NFS or Not For Sale. Each purchase includes an amount to help The Harris.

The Last Iceberg:

NFS

This looks like a photo but it’s a drawing, brilliant, something to crow about:

Another great sketch:

Community Work:

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Trains in Preston: A time of change December 2019

Posted on 1 December 2019 by Pete of MIP

On December 9th First Trenitalia, to be known as Aventi, take over the West Coast Main Line services from Virgin. Express services between London Euston, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh via Preston are effected.

Also in December new trains, Class 397, are being introduced by First Trans-Pennine Express on the Manchester to Glasgow and Edinburgh, Liverpool to Glasgow and Edinburgh all via Preston. These replace the Class 350 which appear more like suburban trains.

This gives First a monopoly of services to Glasgow and Edinburgh from Preston.

Virgin have run the West Coast Main Line successfully since March 1997 and most people are sorry to see them go. However the government decided their bid was non-compliant over a dispute about pension liabilities.

Also Northern has introduced its Class 195 Diesels and 331 Electric version of the new ‘Civity’ trains. These run on diesel between Manchester Airport and Barrow. The electric versions run from Manchester to Blackpool and Liverpool to Blackpool.

Virgin have had their logo removed from the Pendolino pending conversion to the new operator on 9th December 2019

The new Class 195 Northern Rail at Preston operating a service to Barrow in Furness

The new Class 397 electric train in sidings at Preston operated by First Trans Pennine Express

Virgin Trains Pendolino unloading at Preston 26th November 2019

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Harris Art Gallery Exhibition – Beautiful and Brutal 50 years of Preston Bus Station

Posted on 1 December 2019 by Pete of MIP

An interesting display between 21st September and 24th November 2019 to mark the 50th year of Preston’s Bus Station and it’s car park. Controversial because of its brutal style and that it was accessible to passengers only through subways and an overpass.

For many years it was the largest bus station in Europe. Now only one side is in use.

The Harris display laid out plans and models of the architect ideas. Plus some items from the bus station like the barber’s chair.

To match the grey concrete most of the display was in grey with only a couple of coloured items which stood out.

The Beautiful and the brutal at the Harris Preston

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A Walk from Preston Station

Posted on 30 October 2019 by Pete of MIP

A lovely day 30th October 2019. Just right for a walk in the country, a wander round some shops and pop into The Harris Museum and Art Gallery. About 3 miles.

Leaving the station in Butler Street, turn right towards the multi-storey car park and then across and over the Fishergate Centre car park to the far corner where you bear right up the road into Avenham Park.

In the park turn right. You’re quite high up and need to drop and cross the main route, that goes into Miller Park, and carry on above the Japanese Gardens. After 50 yards bear right on the cycle track onto the former railway line and cross the river. Good views.

Crossing the river with the Tram Road Bridge in the distance:

The view downstream crossing the river:

Cross the Ribble on The East Lancs Bridge, now a footpath/cycle track for today’s walk:

Then turn left at the other side and follow the river past the Tram Bridge and carry on until you can see the Capital Centre where you can get a coffee in Waitrose. The tributary is the River Darwen, from Darwen near Blackburn. The river side path has some mud and you need to keep on the raised bit on the left. Turn left at the obvious track crossroad.

At the side of the river path. Farmers working the rich soil of the Ribble flood plain:

You might find the road has a huge puddle. There is a 1 foot high fence you can step over before reaching puddle.

After your coffee you can look in some shops.

Then follow London Road, the main road,A6, over the bridge and turn sharp left along the other side of the river.

A nice track along the river with a good view across to the River Darwen and it’s bridge. Also a view of the Tram Bridge.

The Tram Bridge (closed) from the north bank:

Just Before you get to the Tram Bridge, climb up high on the right on a winding path, up a steep tarmac slope then onto steps with the captured guns from Sebastopol. Then onto the Promenade with view over the park. Facing is the Harris Institute an old place of learning, now empty.

The captured guns from Sebastopol overlooking the river:

The view over Avenham Park from the Promenade:

Then go to the left of the Institute till you come to Winkley Square. Nice Georgian sunken square. Go to the far end up Winckley Street as it’s a nice street with a cafe or two.

The Harris Institute, former place of learning:

Winkley Square sunken Georgian Square:

Turn right on Fishergate and make your way toward Waterstones, where you turn left and head onto the Flag Market which is an open square with good buildings around it. The Harris being the main one, Grade I listed.

The War Memorial, and Shankly Hotel in work:

The Harris has a fantastic collection. Must be one of the best in Britain for a place of Preston’s size. There is a cafe.

The Harris Museum and Art Gallery:

The latest exhibition inside the Harris, The Beautiful and Brutal: 50 years of Preston Bus Station:

Another new feature, The Wellness Room inside the Fine Art Gallery, a place for peaceful reflection:

Plenty more to see in The Harris. Large Fine Art Gallery, Discover Preston. Lot’s of pottery and perfume bottles. Fashion. Community Heritage Library and Main Library, Cafe.

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Railway Improvements – New trains and electrification Northern Rail

Posted on 28 July 2019 by Pete of MIP

Northern Rail are obtaining 101 brand new diesel and electric trains from CAF of Spain. Many of these will be assembled in Newport, Wales. There are also 243 ex-ScotRail diesel trains, class 158, and ex-Thameslink electric trains, class 319, being refurbished for use by Northern.

The Class 195 started operating in July 2019 and will be introduced as they are delivered through to 2020. The Class 319 began operating in April 2018. This will release the old class 142 Pacer trains which are very old.

Electrification through Bolton is complete enabling electric services from Preston to Manchester along that route since 11th February 2019 several years later than originally planned due to difficulties with the line.

Class 195 diesel train at Preston.

Class 319 electric train at Preston.

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A visit to The Ribble Steam Railway and Museum

Posted on 18 May 2019 by Pete of MIP

Saturday 27th April 2019 parked in the large car park and bought a ticket to ride and visit the Ribble Steam Railway museum and workshop on Preston Docks. Starting in the cafe and then taking a ride before going through the museum and asking if I could see the Furness Railway Workshop next door. They have a couple of very interesting engines in work although one of them was well dismantled. After that went round the RSR Workshop which has been tidied up quite a bit since my last visit. If you walk inside and turn left there are locos in storage and being worked on.

Here’s a video of the day:

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Old Tram Road Bridge Closed

Posted on 20 March 2019 by Pete of MIP

The Old Tram Road Bridge was declared unsafe and has been fenced off. It’s said to cost too much to repair so might be closed for a long time. The Old Tram Road is one of those features of Preston that links to long ago and the industrial heritage.

Posted in Road | Tagged Bridge, Unsafe | Comments Off

Museum of the Moon at the Harris

Posted on 14 February 2019 by Pete of MIP

This is an excellent exhibition at the Harris in Preston, The Museum of the Moon until 24th February 2019. The star exhibit being a 23ft diameter moon hanging over central atrium, at night it’s illuminated. While we were there dozens of school children were visiting and with half term coming up it’s bound to be a favourite and free entry.

Museum of the Moon at the Harris. The 23ft diameter model hanging over the atrium. — The Museum of the Moon at the Harris

Another excellent piece of work is a precise paper model of the Saturn V rocket that took the Apollo missions to the moon. This large model is around 20ft long and built to scale. From the model the rocket stages can be clearly viewed including a model of the Lunar Module that was transported in the rocket.

The actual rocket is a phenomenal size almost like blasting off Blackpool Tower, there is one at the Space Centre in Florida.

The Saturn V rocket that powered Apollo to the Moon. A large scale and precise model.

The Lunar Module and Crew Compartment of the Saturn V paper model.

The space suit of the Apollo astronauts is shown.

The space suit of the Apollo missions to the moon.

A piece of moon rock.

The model of the moon in context at the Harris Museum of the Moon, Preston.

There is also a computer from the space ship which being in the 1960s is less capable than a cheap calculator depending far more on human skills, as we saw in the movie Apollo 13 with Tom Hanks which required to be manually steered back to earth due to a malfunction.

The exhibition contains many moon oriented themes with poetry, maps, paintings and family activities. Don’t we love the man in the moon.

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The Preston Open Art Exhibition at The Harris

Posted on 8 January 2019 by Pete of MIP

Every year artists from the PR postcode are invited to submit work to be exhibited and categorised prizes are awarded. The 2019 exhibition finishes on 20th January 2019, below are some photos from the exhibition:

Preston Open Art Exhibition 2019 at The Harris

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Wires to Bolton

Posted on 25 November 2018 by Pete of MIP

Northern Rail

Work continues on the Preston to Bolton and Manchester electrification programme. December 2018 was set as a new target after problems with ground conditions such as old mining works and drifts of soft sand. Pylons for the electric cabling needed to be mounted in metal containers due to soft ground.

Diesels continue to be operated on this section which should be replaced by electric trains when it is complete. It should be noted that train allocation isn’t that simple, trains are exchanged between operators.

As yet Network Rail are still talking about it being complete in December 2018. Although Northern Rail agreed to take handover immediately on the Blackpool upgrade when in reality they needed time to train drivers. Quite likely it won’t make much difference to passenger as a new Winter timetable is about to be issued without knowing if the line will be electrified.

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The Harris: The Renewal

Posted on 9 November 2018 by Pete of MIP

The Harris, Museum, Art Gallery and Library. Preston.

The Friends of the Harris, a registered charity, are working with The Harris to revitalise and do critical repairs to the building and its presentation.

They have held several public discussions and learnt what the public want – such as Preston’s hidden collections on show, new spaces to enjoy, more opportunities to be inspired, and for the Harris to be your place. And here for the others who need it too – forever.

Now, there is a one in 100 year opportunity to make the Harris uniquely special again – for everyone.

Every donation will help show how much support there is and so generate money from larger funders.

The Friends of the Harris have set up a donations page for the public at The Big Give as linked below:

https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/projects/view/30982

Big Donators are:

Preston City Council
Lancashire County Council
Preston, South Ribble & Lancashire City Deal
Contributions from local people
Arts Council England
The Harris Trust
Trusts and Foundations: Conditional
Heritage Lottery Fund: Conditional

The following are the objectives as shown on the donations page:

The Solution:

We will reinvigorate the Harris, combining the library, museum and art gallery to create exciting new facilities:

Blended library, museum and gallery in a beautifully refurbished heritage space with many more collections on show

Using Preston people’s stories to draw visitors through the Harris and our collections, creating a richer experience

New central ground floor hub for events, meetings and activities

New rear entrance on Lancaster Road with welcome area, stairs/lift, retail and cafe

AIMS

Aim 1

A better welcome for more people, including young people and those hardest to reach in Preston

» We will open up the Harris, creating new entrances on on Harris Street, Jacson Street, and on Lancaster Road facing Preston Guild Hall

» We will create a new welcome area along with additional lift, stairs, buggy storage, toilets, changing places toilet and lockers

» We will deliver a range of community-led activities to help everyone enjoy, create, learn and make as well as better opportunities for artists

What success will look like

We will welcome 100,000 more people each year; 460,000 annually.

We will use audience research and postcode data to record visits by young people and hard to reach communities

Aim 2

To create the UK’s first blended museum, art gallery and library in a beautifully refurbished space:

» Community-led displays of Harris collections from historic books to contemporary art, encouraging learning and interaction for all ages

» More objects from our collections on show, including those which have rarely been displayed before such as the historic book collection

» We will provide opportunities for local and community creativity to be enjoyed and celebrated alongside artwork of national significance.

» We will refurbish the building with critical repairs to the roof, windows, stonework and rainwater systems to make the building safe for the future

What success will look like

Displays will include objects from our history and art collections, with many not displayed for many years, including historic books

The Harris will be revitalised and busy.

Aim 3

Creating an inspirational, animated central hub:

» The existing ground floor café area in the rotunda will become the heart of the building – a dynamic hive of activity and events for all ages

» Surrounding the rotunda will be exciting new displays blending books, art and heritage along with an extended café and retail space

» Also on the ground floor will be improved digital access and a multi-use space for meetings, conferences and entertainment.

» Our improved spaces, cafe, retail and meeting rooms for hire will help to generate more income to make the Harris sustainable for the long term

What success will look like

The hub will be filled with a regular programme of activity, aimed at a wide range of audiences.

The cafe, retail and meeting room will attract new users and generate income

Aim 4

Using Preston’s wonderful history and stories to create a richer visitor experience for all ages:

» Local stories will inspire routes around the Harris and our collections, themed on playing, exploring, questioning, creating and connecting

» The themes will inspire local people and provide a safe, welcoming, trusted and accessible place for everyone to enjoy and learn from the collections

» Displays will be community-led, involving young people, those hardest to reach and communities most in need in Preston

What success will look like

Thematic displays will provide a better ‘way in’ to our collections for people, who will comment positively

Community-led displays will mean a longer dwell-time in the galleries

The Harris, Preston. Reach for the Sky

IMPACT

The heritage of the Grade I Harris building will be preserved and protected

The Harris will welcome 100,000 extra visitors each year through our improved displays, facilities and events, including local people and tourists

More young people and more people/communities who are harder to reach and found the Harris inaccessible in the past will visit

The Harris will be more financially sustainable through increased income from better services and contribute to Preston city centre regeneration

Risk

The project leaders have considered a wide range of risks relating to the building work and to other factors such as planning delays, staff changes, budget changes and partner relationships. A comprehensive risk register has been developed which assesses the level and likelihood of risk in each case and outlines the mitigation which has been put in place and who is responsible. We would be delighted to provide a copy of this document on request – please email harrisfriends@preston.gov.uk

Reporting

We are very grateful to everyone who contributes to this project. Donors who wish to be kept informed will be added to an email mailing list to receive updates several times a year and will be invited to appropriate events such as the re-opening of the Harris building and other celebrations.

BUDGET

Budget – Project Cost: £10,796,693 comprising:

£7,399,348 Building works Repairs to roof, stonework, windows, electrical services. Construction of new spaces.

£705,750 Public activities Collections displays, exhibitions, interpretation, events and community activities for the public

£32,500 Marketing Promoting through press, website, social media, print and other means to local and tourist visitors

£65,990 Staffing Extra staff to help us deliver the project effectively

£460,000 Professional Fees Cost of architects, designers, technical and construction staffing etc

£1,090,000 Contingency Allowance for unforeseen expenses if required

£1,043,105 Inflation Allowance for anticipated inflation

Current Funding / Pledges

Source Amount

Preston City Council £1,000,000 Guaranteed

Lancashire County Council £1,000,000 Guaranteed

Preston, South Ribble & Lancashire City Deal £1,000,000 Guaranteed

Contributions from local people £335,000 Guaranteed

Arts Council England £277,000 Guaranteed

The Harris Trust £100,000 Guaranteed

Trusts and Foundations £250,000 Conditional

Heritage Lottery Fund (applied for – result expected Dec 2018) £4,700,000 Conditional

BACKGROUND

Location

The Harris is Grade I listed, with collections of British art, history and books and a vibrant events programme.

7 of Preston’s 22 wards are among the UK’s 10% most deprived and it has very high rates of young people not in education or training, of suicide and depression.

With a travel to work population of 420,000, the city centre is on the up, with new bars, cafes, a hotel and a re-energised theatre/concert hall. Now is the time to revitalise our greatest cultural and heritage asset too.

Beneficiaries

Following great progress in increasing the Harris’ audiences recently and using Harris audience research and Preston’s Equality Data Hub, we have identified the following people who will benefit most:

Families visiting with children

Young people including students

Local people who currently have low engagement with the Harris – often experiencing deprivation

Disabled people

BAME community

Cultural Tourists – from the 60 minute drivetime to Preston area

WHY US?

Why Us?

The Friends of the Harris were founded in 1972 and we are a registered charity.

Our role is to support all aspects of the Harris Museum, Art Gallery & Library which is owned and managed by Preston City Council and Lancashire County Council who will deliver the project.

We have supported multiple projects at the Harris over many years, aimed at a wide range of communities. These have included capital projects, most recently the creation of the £1.8million Discover Preston gallery in 2012.

People

Rachel Mulhearn

Head of Culture, Preston City Council, who has extensive experience in leading capital projects in museums and galleries.

Hilary Machell

Harris Capital Fundraising Manager, who has led the Harris’ fundraising for 20 years, including the £1.8 million Discover Preston gallery in 2012.

Greta Krypczyk-Oddy

Chair, Friends of the Harris, who has led the Friends since 2008 and supported the organisation to fundraise effectively for the Harris

The Friends of the Harris have set up a donations page for the public at The Big Give as linked below

https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/projects/view/30982

Posted in Art, Harris Museum and Art Gallery, Made in Preston | Tagged Heritage Lottery Fund, Preston, Renewal, The Harris | Comments Off

The Friends of the Harris have set up a donations page for the public at The Big Give as linked below:

The following are the objectives as shown on the donations page:

The Solution:

AIMS

Aim 1

What success will look like

Aim 2

What success will look like

Aim 3

What success will look like

Aim 4

What success will look like

IMPACT

Risk

Reporting

BUDGET

Current Funding / Pledges

BACKGROUND

Location

Beneficiaries

WHY US?

Why Us?

People

The Friends of the Harris have set up a donations page for the public at The Big Give as linked below

Made in Preston

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