‘All Our Stories’ opens at Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse

‘All Our Stories’ opens on July 15 at Weaver Hall Museum and Workhouse, showcasing new stories such as that of the ‘Cheshire Prophet’ and soldiers with learning disabilities in the First World War.

 The exhibition has been created by Snow Angels, a Cheshire-based social enterprise that supports older people, including people with learning disabilities, and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

It involved extensive research from multiple independent sources, especially Cheshire Archives.

Importantly, it followed discussions with other group members about how these stories should be publicly represented.

This included working closely with groups, including People’s Choice, which is devising a drama about the Northwich Workhouse in the 1800s.  

Cathy Boyd, director at Snow Angels CIC, said: “All Our Stories is about showing the lives of people with learning disabilities who lived in Cheshire in the past and ensuring that their heritage is represented.

“Our research reveals that Cheshire has a unique heritage – with stories such as the renowned ‘Cheshire Prophet’, Robert Nixon from Winsford.

“We are also developing this project through collecting oral histories and working with local group on a range of creative projects.”   

Councillor Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “This is a wonderfully innovative exhibition revealing unknown but important stories.

“It just shows how information kept for years in archives can throw fresh light on the heritage of different communities in Cheshire. I would encourage everyone to visit this free exhibition.”