Year 8 Geography and History classes successfully participated in their Exhibition on Bolton, Rewind and Regenerate at the Crompton Place Shopping Centre in Bolton from 22nd – 25th May 2023.  The journey started on Friday 10th March with an immersion day to venues across Bolton including Smithills and Walker Fold Estates, Bolton Archives, Swan Lane Mills and the Aldi Distribution Centre. 

More information and images of our immersion day can be found here

Following on from this, collaborative work in class explored Bolton’s history, demographics and the decision making that leads to where we are as a town today.  During the four days, they demonstrated their creativity through themes on employment, transport, recreation and leisure, housing, environment and the use of media to project information.

The outstanding work and presentation of ideas gave Ladybridge learners a great opportunity to share their exploration and passion for Bolton with parents, carers, friends, councillors and town hall officials.  It has provided them with a sense of pride and connection with our town and laid the foundation for future learning. 

It was particularly interesting for learners to talk to visitors who had experience of the local area:

I remember, it was about 1958 and I was an apprentice joiner with Stanley Porter Successors. I as told I was going to work at a site that was going to be a school, just off New York in Bolton. I thought, wow, New York! I help my boss plan and construct the school which was going to be named Deane Base School. I have just found out after speaking with the young people that it is now called Ladybridge High School. I didn’t know it had changed its name.

Did you know that Le Mans Crescent was going to be a full circle originally with the Town Hall in the centre? The bricks cost so much money that they only built the crescent part of it.

Tony Hadcroft

Thank you also to Mrs Haynes from Halliwell, who was happy to talk to our learners about multicultural Bolton. Her story was so heart warming and relevant to our town, working at Bolton Hospital for 50 years and championing the local community.

Many thanks to all the friends, families and local council delegates who took time to attend the exhibition, which will continue to be displayed in the windows at Crompton Place Shopping Centre until September.

Thank you also to Naomi Lord and Creatives Now, Buzz Education and the Crompton Place management team for their support during the project, and to the following organisations that helped with the project immersion day:

Aldi UK
Bolton Library and Museum Services
Victoria Halls
Swan Lane Mills
Bolton Wanderers Football Club