THE world’s favourite hobby goes under the microscope in “The Collector’s World”, a new exhibition at Portland Basin Museum, Ashton.
No one really knows why people do it but everyone has collected something at some point. Many of us give up quickly while others find an interest that lasts a lifetime.
“The Collectors’ World” celebrates collectors of the past and present. It includes something for everyone and looks at how attitudes towards collecting have changed over the years.
Displays range from the Egyptian, Roman and Greek antiquities collected by Bramley Norman Radcliffe, a Victorian woollen manufacturer from Stalybridge, to Euro 2016 football stickers that are currently being swapped in playgrounds across the land.
Visitors can see the flint, fossil, rock and seed collections of Robert Jackson of Mossley, sea shells gathered by Alfred Bradbury of Dukinfield and Charles Moore of Stalybridge, as well as mosses collected by Jethro Tinker of Stalybridge.
They can also look at the Distinguished Conduct Medal won by Private William Cross of the 1st Battalion, Manchester Regiment, in the First World War (1914-1918).
Cllr Jackie Lane, Tameside Council’s assistant executive member with responsibility for heritage, said: “We’ve all collected something at some point whether it’s stamps, train numbers, bookmarks or even the little bags of sugar from cafes.
“ ‘The Collector’s World’ gives a new perspective on this universal hobby and it’s well worth a visit.”
Portland Basin Museum is open 10am to 4pm (Tuesday to Sunday) and admission is free. The exhibition opens on Saturday, June 18, and runs into 2017.
