Howarth Art gallery - Page 2

Retlaw · 04-08-2009, 18:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

So if the Haworth was given to the people of Accrington and Hyndburn Borough Council are merely custodians, shouldn't the people of Accrington want the best custodians to be looking after it?

The Haworth can't physically move so it's never going to be relocated in a different part of the county. It's always going to be there for the people of Accrington.

And btw - if it's for the people of Accrington, why do the people of Accrington not use it??????

They do, I've spent a lot of my valuable spare time up there, seeing to the WW1 display and answerng questions about local soldiers and the Pals.
Never seen you there
They might not be able to move the building but the contents can be moved
Retlaw.

Bernard Dawson · 04-08-2009, 18:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

So if the Haworth was given to the people of Accrington and Hyndburn Borough Council are merely custodians, shouldn't the people of Accrington want the best custodians to be looking after it?

The Haworth can't physically move so it's never going to be relocated in a different part of the county. It's always going to be there for the people of Accrington.

And btw - if it's for the people of Accrington, why do the people of Accrington not use it??????

I don't know Gayle whether there's anything in the rumours or not. It was left to the people of Acrington. which now as you say would be the people of Hyndburn.

People should use it more, but there again Art Galleries are not to everyone's taste. I would like to see it moving to more of Art Gallery/ Museum. Which could include the history of the area, and things like that

I think that would have greater public appeal.

garinda · 04-08-2009, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

And btw - if it's for the people of Accrington, why do the people of Accrington not use it??????

Twenty four hours ago you posted that there was no substance to this rumour 'whatsoever'. Wrongly as it turns out.

Now you seem to be under the impression, wrongly again, that it isn't used by the people of the town. It is, and neighbouring towns, and neighbouring counties, and from counties that aren't neighbouring.

I've spoken to visitors there who've travelled there from as far as North Wales and Dumfries and Galloway.

In the hundreds of times I've visited over the last forty odd years I've never been asked where I was from. Many people choose not to sign the guest book. So the fact is no one knows how many people visit, or where they're from.

More people still would visit, from near and far, in my opinion, if the people in charge of the curatorship were more dynamic and imaginative, and not so half-wittedly parochial, but that's another gripe, and not what this thead's about.

Retlaw · 04-08-2009, 18:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernard Dawson

I don't know Gayle whether there's anything in the rumours or not. It was left to the people of Acrington. which now as you say would be the people of Hyndburn.

People should use it more, but there again Art Galleries are not to everyone's taste. I would like to see it moving to more of Art Gallery/ Museum. Which could include the history of the area, and things like that

I think that would have greater public appeal.

They do have some historical artifacts, and far more pictures than what are on display, they only have a limited amount of space, so some things are in storage.
They do rotate the pictures and have special themes or events.

Retlaw.

Bernard Dawson · 04-08-2009, 18:53

Whatever future direction the Howarth goes in, I personally think that the ownership should remain with this Council.

As you know the Howarth has often been referred to as the "Jewel In The Crown" in Hyndburn. And I think that's right.

MargaretR · 04-08-2009, 18:59

I strongly suspect that PB want's to impress his new colleagues in Preston by arranging the move of the Tiffany Glass to Preston

my intuition is at it again

Retlaw · 04-08-2009, 19:02

In the hundreds of times I've visited over the last forty odd years I've never been asked where I was from. Many people choose not to sign the guest book. So the fact is no one knows how many people visit, or where they're from.

Garri, they do know how many have visited, they have to keep a count of how many visitors each day. They even have to keep a tab on the number of enquiries re my Accrington Heroes, and the Pals display, just to satisfy some one in the town hall that they are doing some thing.

The Tiffany collection back in the past was nearly dumped, some thought it was worthless junk, but some one with foresight saved it.

Retlaw.

More people still would visit, from near and far, in my opinion, if the people in charge of the curatorship were more dynamic and imaginative, and not so half-wittedly parochial, but that's another gripe, and not what this thead's about.[/quote]

MargaretR · 04-08-2009, 19:03

I saw Lawrence L Bowen visiting the Tiffany Glass in a Tv programme

garinda · 04-08-2009, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Retlaw

Garri, they do know how many have visited, they have to keep a count of how many visitors each day. They even have to keep a tab on the number of enquiries re my Accrington Heroes, and the Pals display, just to satisfy some one in the town hall that they are doing some thing.

The Tiffany collection back in the past was nearly dumped, some thought it was worthless junk, but some one with foresight saved it.

Retlaw.

Well I'd question the accuracy of any visitor numbers.

True, there's always someone near the door, but sometimes they are busy with another visiting party, and I've never noticed them doing a head count.

Even if they have some sort of mechanical footfall counter, which I doubt, that doesn't give an accurate reading, as many times people sit outside and re-enter the gallery or cafe, more than once.

As stated, I've never once been asked where I'd travelled from.

Retlaw · 04-08-2009, 19:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernard Dawson

Whatever future direction the Howarth goes in, I personally think that the ownership should remain with this Council.

As you know the Howarth has often been referred to as the "Jewel In The Crown" in Hyndburn. And I think that's right.

Your right Bernard, but thats only because the Tiffany collection is there. If it ever gets moved, the building would soon become a neglected relic.
I would hope that there was a covenant on it, when it was given to the people of Accrington, and they dont try to fiddle way round it.

Retlaw

Retlaw · 04-08-2009, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by garinda

Well I'd question the accuracy of any visitor numbers.

True, there's always someone near the door, but sometimes they are busy with another visiting party, and I've never noticed them doing a head count.

Even if they have some sort of mechanical footfall counter, which I doubt, that doesn't give an accurate reading, as many times people sit outside and re-enter the gallery or cafe, more than once.

As stated, I've never once been asked where I'd travelled from.

They do have a little mechanical counter at the desk at the main entrance, and they do know if people have gone out and re-entered.
They also greet every one that comes in, ask them if they've been before, give them a handout of the collection, and explain where and what all the displays are about, invite them to sign the visitors book.
The do have to take toilet breaks some time, and if I'm there I look after the front desk for them till they return.

Retlaw.

Gayle · 04-08-2009, 20:41

Retlaw - I go to the Haworth regularly - at least once a fortnight, so just because you haven't seen me there, doesn't mean I don't go.

I was perhaps hasty in refuting the rumour, because there is a rumour going around. But that's all it is at the moment, a rumour.

As for visitor numbers - they are extremely poor - Garinda, please trust me on this because I do know that the numbers that go do not always justify the place being open. So, yes, some people may come from out of town, some people may visit regularly, but visitor numbers are not good. Local people do not turn out as often as they should for a 'jewel in the crown'.

Bernard, Retlaw - I wouldn't normally be so pedantic about a spelling, but please get the name of the place right - it is the Haworth Art Gallery, not Howarth.

shillelagh · 04-08-2009, 20:54

Ive just stuck haworth art gallery in google .. and thought id visit their website ... but they dont have one!!! The first one is linked to the hyndburn councils website .. which if you look at it shows that they have a shop but no link to buy anything from there. Maybe that might be something for gallery to look into ..

Gayle · 04-08-2009, 20:55

A new website is being developed.

Bernard Dawson · 04-08-2009, 21:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

Retlaw - I go to the Haworth regularly - at least once a fortnight, so just because you haven't seen me there, doesn't mean I don't go.

I was perhaps hasty in refuting the rumour, because there is a rumour going around. But that's all it is at the moment, a rumour.

As for visitor numbers - they are extremely poor - Garinda, please trust me on this because I do know that the numbers that go do not always justify the place being open. So, yes, some people may come from out of town, some people may visit regularly, but visitor numbers are not good. Local people do not turn out as often as they should for a 'jewel in the crown'.

Bernard, Retlaw - I wouldn't normally be so pedantic about a spelling, but please get the name of the place right - it is the Haworth Art Gallery, not Howarth.

Sorrry Gayle about the spelling, I must have thinking about the Labour MP George Howarth. I once canvassed for him.

I agree with the rest of what you say.Honest