Exhibitions of photos by members of Wallasey Amateur Photographic Society tell the story of Wirral in 2008

Aug 19 2009 by Lorna Hughes, Birkenhead News

THE story of Wirral in 2008 is on display at the Williamson Art Gallery.

The unique collection of 103 framed photos – Wirral Photo 08 – is the result of Wallasey Amateur Photographic Society’s ambitious project to capture the borough’s cultural exploits in 2008.

The society’s 60 members attended community events throughout the year to create a permanent record of Wirral’s contribution to Liverpool’s Capital of Culture year.

Events included Port Sunlight Village Festival, Wirral Libraries Bookfest, Wirral International Kite Festival, Remembrance Sunday and performances at Pacific Road Arts Centre. A series of images also capture the development of the new Floral Pavilion Theatre in New Brighton.

Also featured in the exhibition is Poems & Pics, which was a joint venture between the society and the Wirral Ode Show Poets.

Two other events – the Shakespeare in the Park event in Birkenhead Park and the Secret Gardens of Oxton were covered in two separate exhibitions earlier this year.

Bob Warwick, Wirral 08 Project co-ordinator, said: “When we started out on this venture we never imagined it would lead us here.

“The original intention was to hold a small exhibition at the end of it at Wallasey Central Library so we’ve done a lot more than we ever expected to. It’s been a real challenge and a learning experience for the people doing it.”

Wirral Photo 08 will be at the Williamson, on Slatey Road, Birkenhead, until September 6. The gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm.