Tameside Museum Celebrates Local Inventors

PORTLAND Basin Museum, Ashton, has compiled an inventive programme of activities to mark Tameside History Month and Heritage Open Days in September.

This year’s theme is “Astounding Inventions” and celebrates the many inventors and inventions of which Tameside, an area that was at the heart of the Industrial Revolution, can be rightly proud. 

A temporary downstairs exhibition at the museum, put together with the help of Tameside Local History Forum, will look at innovative local minds ranging from Victorian engineers such as Benjamin Goodfellow to Audenshaw-born illustrator Frank Hampson who created Dan Dare, Pilot of the Future, who appeared in Eagle comic for many years.

Accompanying this will be a free trail sheet for visitors which outlines items in the Portland Basin collection connected to the theme.

On Saturday, September 10, there will be curator’s walks and talks at the museum at 11.30am and 2pm exploring “Astounding Inventions” and the history of the canal warehouse in which the museum is situated, which dates back to 1834, just before Queen Victoria took the throne.

The same weekend, members of Tameside Archaeological Society members will be on site. You can have a chat with them about their work of the society and get hands-on with some of their finds from local digs.

Cllr Sangita Patel, Tameside Council’s assistant executive member for heritage, culture and digital inclusivity, said: “‘Astounding Inventions’ celebrates the part the towns and villages of our borough played in the Industrial Revolution and the years that have followed. It’s a place of great innovation.

“The amount of creativity Tameside has spawned, not just in terms of industry, is incredible. Portland Basin’s events are not only a great tribute, but a fun one too that should appeal to all ages.”

Portland Basin Museum is open Tuesdays to Sundays 10am to 4pm. Admission is free and there is no need to book. It is closed on Mondays except for bank holidays.

For a full list of Tameside buildings taking part in National Heritage Open Days visit www.intameside.co.uk/whats-on/heritage-open-days