People are being asked to nominate people past and present who have shaped Wigan borough to be featured in a new project at Leigh Town Hall.
Included in Wigan Council’s ambitious plans to revamp the grade II listed building is a new museum and exhibition space which will draw residents and visitors to the town.
The ‘Famous Faces’ feature in one corner of the exhibition will feature photographs of people who have played a key community role in the borough over the years.
The council is asking people to put names forward for who could be included.
The faces do not have to be celebrities and could be popular community figures and modern-day heroes.
Councillor Chris Ready, cabinet member for communities and neighbourhoods, said: “We are currently exploring our amazing archive and museum collections to gather information about which events, people and places we want to explore in our new exhibition.
“But we also want to share the amazing stories of people from across the borough and would love people to get involved by nominating someone they think should feature.
“You might have a historical figure in mind or someone from your community who plays a part in your life.
“Reflecting particularly over the last few months, so many local people have gone above and beyond for their communities.
“We’re looking for both people from our past and those who are important to us in the present. All people suggested should have a strong connection to the borough, whether born and brought up here, or living and working here.”
The feature will form a permanent part of the exhibition in the Town Hall.
The council secured investment from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for the project, which will create a new home for the borough’s archives service and a new public search room alongside the exhibition.
With historic records dating back 800 years the borough’s archives and local studies service collects, preserves and catalogues thousands of records from schools, churches, hospitals, businesses, families, estates, people, and makes them available to the public.
Vacant shop units in the town hall will be converted in a bid to restore part of the building and create an exciting cultural offer.
Lord and Lady Peter Smith of Leigh deserve recognition for the tremendous job that was done in the Borough regarding the number of volunteers and volunteer groups, especially with the Wigan success in the Britain in bloom and North West in Bloom projects, the community involvement has been amazing because of their efforts, enthusiasm and commitment