Events at Wythenshawe HallWythenshawe Games 2014
The Friends of Wythenshawe Hall in
partnership with CCS opened Wythenshawe
Hall to visitors for a period of 9 days
during the Wythenshawe Games. Through
strong partnership working and funding
from WCHG and the Culture Team, the FoWH
were able to deliver a packed schedule
of 1940s themed events and activities
throughout the games. 7329 visitors came
to the Hall during the Games; local
residents and visitors from Greater
Manchester and tourists from further
afield attended this popular community
event.
Day 1 was opened by local band Dr.
Butler’s Hatstand Medicine Band, who
delivered great foot stomping music to a
very appreciative audience.
Comments about
the day’s visit:
“Marvellous, well done – we loved the
band”
Joshua 5 years
“I wasn’t expecting the music and
singing, a lovely experience.”
EJ
“Everything was lovely and I knew all
the songs, coming back for next
session.”
Mary W
In total 629 local residents and
visitors to the Hall engaged in
Quarantine Theatre Company’s Soldier
Song Karaoke installation, which was
funded by the Culture Team. Participants
of all ages enjoyed this unique
experience in which many found to be
quite thought provoking.
Comments about the day’s visit:
“It was so nice to have that connection,
God Bless, Queenie.”
“Keep safe (bring them all home). The
kids loved it! Great to sing for a good
cause!”
“Singing with a serving NCO of long
standing. It felt a good thing to do and
quite a lovely experience. God bless the
Armed Services. Thank you Dave and
Maureen.”
The FoWH, dressed in period costume,
delivered living history throughout the
Games. Visitors were really interested
to see what a week’s rations of food
looked like, sample recipes from the 40s
and browse the collection of 40s
memorabilia. Northwest Film Archive
kindly loaned “Manchester – we took it
too”, a film about the Manchester Blitz.
Children learnt through creative play a
little more about WW2 with Archives+ who
brought their WW2 themed craft sessions
to the Hall for 2 days.
Comments about the day’s visit:
“It was amazing and wonderful learning
about the amazing stuff.”
“The house is a great thing for the kids
to learn a bit of history.”
Through funding from the Culture Team,
Brighter Sounds brought their “Hall of
Sounds” workshops to the Hall. Young
people took up the opportunity to work
with a professional song writing artist
producing a “Wythenshawe Ballad”.
Sing City choir and artist Jen
Reid performed the finished piece during
the final weekend and a printed copy of
the ballad will reside in the Hall as a
lasting legacy to the Games. Digital
artists worked with local young people
to produce a digital sound and
projection piece which was performed by
the young people. As a direct result of
this project, the group of young people
have expressed an interest in forming a
youth division of the Friends of
Wythenshawe Hall.
Comments about the day’s visit:
“I really enjoyed using the equipment,
I’ve never had a chance to do anything
like this before. It was great.”
Lucy Seymour
The final weekend of the Games saw the
Hall celebrate the era of the 40s with a
vintage market and pop up beauty
parlour, tea dance with Sisters in Song
and Lindy Hopping lessons and
demonstrations. A special performance
from the Hall’s artist in residence
Scarlett Quigley enthralled the audience
and local residents dressed in WW2
uniform kept the spirit of the 40s
alive.
Comments about the day’s visit:
“Enjoyable visit brought back memories of our childhood here…a big thank
you to all the volunteers for their hard
work.”
Joshua
“Very nice hall and the kids really enjoyed the tour around. The
representatives were very helpful and
answered all my questions.”
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