NEW exhibition at Portland Basin Museum, Ashton, offers an opportunity to see key objects from the Manchester Regiment collection, many of which have never previously been on display.

Spanning conflicts such as the Second Boer War (1899-1902), the world wars as well as national service, they include uniforms, medals, souvenirs, drums, trophies and badges, all of which tell personal stories.

Among them are a food tin on which Private Wilkinson engraved images documenting his time as a Japanese prisoner of war, fragments of the regimental colours carried by James Hulton Clutterbuck before he was killed in the Crimea, and the medals of Private Fred Finucane, a First World War boy soldier from Ashton who died of dysentery sailing to Egypt.

Thanks to funding from the Army Museums Ogilby Trust, Tameside Museums has been able to update more than 800 stories behind medals donated to the Manchester Regiment collection. This fascinating resource is available at www.themenbehindthemedals.org.uk

Cllr Sangita Patel, Tameside Council's assistant executive member for culture, heritage and digital inclusivity, said: "The Manchester Regiment had a long and proud association with Tameside, and it is one which has continued through its successors, the Kings and Duke of Lancaster's regiments. All three hold the freedom of Ashton or Tameside.

"This new exhibition at Portland Basin Museum outlines the stories of men who volunteered or were called up to serve their country. While each is unique to the individual soldier, they are all poignant and touching."

"Soldiers' Stories: The Men of the Manchesters", opens on Armistice Day, Friday, November 11, and continues until 2 July, 2023. Portland Basin Museum is open Tuesday to Sunday (10am to 4pm). Admission is free. For more information visit www.intameside.co.uk

Guide Bridge Youth Theatre presents

I'm not afraid of spiders; I'm petrified

After becoming separated from their group leaders during a weekend in Wales, the children of Guide Bridge Youth Theatre find themselves in a forest clearing home to some unusual, and not entirely welcoming, woodland creatures.  With no sign of their leaders, or even an emergency helicopter, the children settle into their new surroundings and as they come to understand the creatures lifestyle they soon begin to see the effects their time there is having on the plants and wildlife.

When rescue finally comes, the children are happy to be returning home but now the forest is dying and the creatures way of life has been badly affected.  Full of regret, the children decide to do whatever they can to help and make changes, but what can city children do from hundreds of miles away and how can they do it?  Or is it too late for the beautiful forest and its inhabitants?

About Guide Bridge Youth Theatre

Jackie and Sue have been busy welcoming new members to the Youth Theatre whilst working with all the children over the winter honing their skills on improvisation and characterisation in preparation for a new production called Im Not Scared of Spiders; Im Petrified  We have some great young characters who love to showcase their skills especially when working in groups with their co-stars in the improvised drama sessions held each Monday at the Theatre.

For more information about the GBYT, contact Jackie:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mobile: 07971 163649

JACK IN THE BEANSTALK

Production by Tameside Youth Drama Group

This is a Youth Production

13th-15th January 2022

7pm each evening, 2pm Saturday Matinee

CHILDREN and adults alike are sure to be spellbound by the range of activities Tameside Cultural Services have organised for autumn half-term.

Family fun as the greatest fairy tale never told comes to life in a musical adaptation 

George Lawton Hall

: 01457 832223