Museum shares musical memories (From Northwich Guardian)

Museum shares musical memories

2:02pm Monday 16th July 2012 in News

A EXHIBITION taking visitors along the musical memory lane of Cheshire has opened at a Northwich museum.

Music in Cheshire is the latest special exhibition at Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse, in London Road.

It was officially opened by Roy Clinging, traditional singer, musician and author, who performed Cheshire folk songs and told tales and legends about Cheshire music.

Tom Hughes, education officer at the museum, said: “This exhibition brings together the history of Cheshire music from medieval times to the lively music scene of today.

“Cheshire, and especially Northwich, has a rich history of music.

“The first mention of music in Northwich itself was back in 1462 when a fiddler was paid 4d to entertain the Duke of Norfolk as he passed through Northwich with his troops.

“Then exactly five centuries later in 1962, the Beatles were entertaining us at the Memorial Hall.”

Jenny Tyson, chairman of the Friends’ Group, said: “This is a fantastic exhibition that will bring back many local musical memories whether it be the Barnton Silver Band in the 1920s, Winnington Methodist Harmonica Melody Makers in the 1930s, the birth of the Mid-Cheshire Amateur Operatic Society in 1960 or Gwili Lewis’s story of how, as manager of the Memorial Hall, he brought the Beatles to Northwich on Ringo Starr’s birthday in the height of Beatlemania.

“There is something for all to enjoy.”

The exhibition, which is free, is open Tuesday to Saturday and also on Mondays in school holidays.

For more information visit fowhm.org.uk.