OSC Exhibition
 

separate thread from the meeting one I think


The exhibition originally came about around 18 months ago. The club were approached about the possibility of holding it but would have been unable to obtain any lottery money to put it on. It was then mentioned to the OSC who were able to apply. The bid was put together by Gayle Knight and she and our Treasurer, Bill Nuttall have since spent the last 18 months going back and forth to the Heritage people with bids and revised bids. Last week the go ahead was finally given we were awarded £48,000.

This exhibition is not to be confused with the one held at the Haworth Art Gallery featuring the work of Kipax, although his pictures will feature prominently within the end product.

The project will take around nine months to come to fruition and will eventually run for around 3 months dependant on venue etc.

One of the reasons we were awarded so much is because there are numerous social, educational and communal benefits built in. Not only will we be inviting various groups to take guided tours around the exhibition when it is finished but we will be involving these groups in the planning and executing stages.

We will be looking for around 20 volunteers to help with the work required to put it all together and we have 10 or 11 already who are acting as the inaugural steering group. The 'volunteers' will be eligible for pay for days worth of work they put in to it, although preference will be given to those who are willing to actually volunteer, the money for payment can then go into other areas of the scheme. They will be taken to Preston football museum for a day out where we can ascertain which elements of that display we like, and which we don't, to then incorporate into our work.

The volunteers will then partake in a training course on interview techniques (I think there is some sort of qualification) in order to develop skills to best acquire the information we want for the exhibition. We will then build an oral/aural history of the club and its fans which will be reproduced on CD to be given away to visitors. We will also be on the lookout for photographs from as far back as possible. Obviously more recent ones are in their thousands thanks to the tireless work of Kipax. Prior to that we had Roy Gabryzsak and the OSC photographer Terry Slinger, then we would have Garth Dawson, but before that we will have to rely on personal collections. This is all material that we could use. We will then pad it all out with various other items of memorabilia.

We have not discussed location yet as there are plenty of places where we could have brief showings, but we want something that lasts a little longer - maybe a portakabin or two linked together and decked out? but thats for discussion later.

As part of the efforts to get people up to the exhibition we will be bussing in groups from local old folks homes etc, it will be hoped that we could then get them into the game as well but we will have to talk with the club about that closer to the time because they will all need seating, same again with younger groups and underpriveleged children etc. This will keep us in the public eye and will do untold wonders for the image of the club.

We will be looking for skilled people who are able to put together advertising campaigns, media people to keep it in the local news, tradesmen to build the displays, caterers for the event launch/close, bus companies for transporting the people around. We will be looking for anybody who has the skills to help us pull it all off.

You can help us by volunteering to help gather or collate the information once its all in. If you feel that that isn't your bag, or you haven't got time, then at least be prepared to tell your story to someone. What was your first game? what kept you coming? who were the characters when you first came? have you ever done any work on the building of the ground? There are many, many untold stories of Accrington Stanley and this is our chance to get it all told and keep alive the memory of the old days when those fans are gone.



Above all, this is a chance for ASFC to get into and amongst all facets of the Community and it won't cost them a penny. Maybe it will rekindle a couple of sparks and get a few people back onto the terrace after years of absence. It is a chance for everybody to show thier support for the club, it is a chance for the club to make some positive business on the back of it, it is a chance for the OSC to boost its members, it is a chance for anybody to get back involved with THE NUMBER 1 TEAM IN ACCRINGTON.


There will be a Press Release that will go out next week to officially launch it to the town and there will be an Official Launch (with tea and bickies ;)) over the next few weeks, when we have got some plans formulated. When th ecall comes please be willing to offer your full and unconditional support. Posters such as Poppy, if they wish to contribute derogatory comments, may as well stay away now. I for one will be putting them on my ignore list then I don't have to read the trash that they write/type.

With a bit of luck, by this time next year we will be congratulating ourselves on a succesful campaign and the FES will be a little fuller and a little happier. The club, through Eric, Rob and Lew, were present at the meeting last night and were very positive about what this can acheive. A club official will be present on the steering group to ensure that we are all working together and getting the correct backing, and that all contacts are being utilised.

There will also be a comprehensive report and updates on the OSC site as we go along so please feel free to pop in and have a look from time to time.


Keeping the faith

Rob

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

touchline.tv would be willing to input on the media side if required, we have only got the recent stuff [3 years] on archive but i suppose all the conf celebrations and bus tour to town hall all filmed but unused footage could be used. any use let me know. !

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Thank you. It might be nice to include a looped viewing of the celebrations as part of the exhibition.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Rob,

SUPERB!!!

Best wishes for this plan and glad it is happening NOW.

We are all getting older every day, remember there are many stalwarts who are sadly no longer with us ( Bill Parkinson, Dick Briggs, John Duckworth, Charlie Tuck, John Prescott, to name only a few) This plan needs going ASAP and lets all give our thanks to Bill & Gayle for there efforts.

One polite request/suggestion; where ever possible can we give existing club sponsors/partners 1st choice in the plans ( Frazer Eagle for transport) It may not be up their street, but at least they have been asked. Also if you are bringing new partners on board, please pass their details to Lew, he can then ask for additional support:)

Please ASK LOUDLY when you need advice/support/assistance:)

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Yes, of course, Southernred that's an excellent idea. I'll speak to Lew about the current list of sponsors so that we can approach them should we need anything - would perhaps be quite good to put a bit of work their way if we can.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

I have already said that this is a good work in progress. Just linking into Gayle’s suggestion would it be possible for the Observer to run a request for any amateur video of the march from Peel Park, also did any one on here capture it at the time?

Not sure how I can help at this time, I in process of setting up a business that will take finance and time away from my association with the club. However anything I can help with I’ll consider. I’d like to come along to the Football Museum with you lot when you go. I will fund myself on that day if it can be arranged.

Good luck.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Rob has explained the project very eloquently.

Like he said, we're looking for volunteers to help out at various stages of the project - you don't have to sign up for everything and we've already got enough people on the steering group but there are lots of other ways you can help.

The attached form will be sent out to all the supporters club members and passed around the ground but please take the time to download it here and fill it in with any of your offers of help and email it to me.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Thanks Gayle, I'll give a look over and get back to you......

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Wow, gobsmacked. Well done to everybody who's worked to get this started.

I'll have a think as to what I can contribute, in the meantime, have your first banana.:banhat:

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

I have to agree, this is something that has taken my breath away, It will be an amazing asset to help push the future of the club forward in all ways across the board.

I'm delighted to be able to represent the club on this project, It will bring the club, it's supporters, the town and the surrounding area together for one common cause.

Congratulations to Gayle and the OSC for bringing this to life and for there tireless hard work. I for one look forward to seeing the finished product and having something to be very proud of.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Those of us that came at the meeting filled those in, we dont need to fill it again ? & when will the volunteers be chosen for what part?

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Anyone who filled in one at the meeting doesn't need to do it again. I've got those stored now.

All those who volunteered to be on the steering group are on the steering group and I'll get in touch very soon with the first meeting date. As for all the other things - I'll put together a list of people who have offered various things or support. When we get to those points in the project I'll get back in touch with everyone to give them details of what's needed. So for instance, if you've offered to steward the event but don't want to get involved in the interviews or collecting of memorabilia, then I'll probably not get back to you until the a few weeks before the exhibition is due to open to schedule stewards. If on the other hand you've signed up to do interviews then I'll contact you relatively soon to find out what days you are available for the training, etc.

Hopefully, everyone who has offered to help will be able to help in the way that they've offered - if that makes sense. The more the merrier and many hands make light work is what I think I'm saying!

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Ahh great stuff - looking forward to having something interesting to do & look forward to lol:D

Once again express my thanks to both yourself Gayle & also to Bill:thumbsup:

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

well done rob,for all your hard work,perhaps cavs signed away shirt should go in the exibition and not one the crown wall ,as it is the original one worn by cav the 1st season in the conference, give me a pm to sort it out,

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

If you've seen the war memorabilia display in Ossy mills, you'll have also seen the model of the canal and cotton mills on the right hand wall. For the Exhibition, it might be a good idea to have a model of the peel park and crown grounds if someone talented enough could be found to build them.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Just a note of congratulations to everybody involved, sounds like a great chance to put Accrington Stanley firmly back on the map. Good luck with the exhibition.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

I'm not picking Rob because this is good news and I really hope people do come when it's ready but to me it has to be in a place where people already go, Ossy Mills, Town Hall, Haworth Art Gallery but please no portakabins because that smells of tinpot.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Couldn't aagree more. Such a high profile enterprise needs a high profile location.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

we agree. the only thing is that places like that will a) demand a high price and b) we couldn't have it there for long,

likewise we could take over an empty shop in the town centre for example. But this will require many more bodies to steward the event and will also incur far higher overheads. And that is assuming that we can get massive reductions from the council to take over a shop. We could hire maybe the upstairs function room of a pub or club, but is that a suitable place to take children on school visits? could we get upstairs wheelchair access? It's all pie in the sky at the moment until the time comes where the steering group will sit down and talk through all the viable options. IF there is money left in the budget (and that will take more volunteers than we currently have) then we may have more money to throw at the venue, and MAYBE we can build something adjacent to the ground that could be used afterwards as maybe an OSC building, or a Community Officers building, or an extension of offices space etc etc then we would have a lasting true asset, but it would rely on goodwill from tradesmen to kit it out. There are many options which will all have pluses and minuses but don't knock the portakabin idea yet as they can be made to look very nice and you can have a few linked together, WITH power, lighting, heating and so on. There are 11 people on the steering group who represent a few different walks of life and we have some degree of intelligence or experience between us, we will find the right option but we will have to scour the town for it. But I would imagine that very few of the municipal buildings would be able to give us three months without having to keep uprooting.

It would also be a nice idea if we could move it around through various locations. But we have provision built into the grant to move the people rather than the exhibition, and that would be far easier.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

If it becomes a major issue what’s wrong with the Club or the Crown? Because this is Lottery Funded I would have thought that the high profile nature would entice the council into contributing towards a location. I recognise that the town centre location world is preferable, so the Town Hall or Library would seem to be perfect, failing that I am sure that there must be some Church property in the area that could be procured.

I love the mobile idea, I think I suggested an old Accrington Corporation bus in the past, ok it’s was a of a twee idea, but expand it a little and look to our old friends and major supporter Frazer Eagle, Surly they might have a vehicle coming to the end of it’s service life that would could secure for a few months, there may also be other bus operators that might like to engage, even might supply a drive so it’s not just a static exhibition, again this is going to be High Profile and worth thousands in free publicity to those supporting, sponsoring or associating with this project. The down side is Insurance and security. Good Luck.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Its great that some good suggestions are being made & that can all help the steering group to explore alsorts of ideas to bring the exhibition & the club to the townspeople :D

Every bit of help or idea is useful for the cause & every bit helps:D

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

I wonder if this could be joined with the thread started by Southernred today? Then it's all in one place.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Im sure the mods would be able to do that to save the confusion & duplicate posting:D

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Ultima steel framed building options: groundworks, connection services, Portakabin answers any worries quite adequately I think!

The thing that will need deciding is whether the ground as a location is better because of it being the ground or whether a town centre location such as the town hall, library, shop would be more beneficial because it would attract a wider audience.

There is money in the budget to bus people up to the ground from central locations or to pick them up etc. At the ground they would benefit from being able to visit the club shop, tour the ground, something to eat or drink in the buy the house lounge, maybe even bump into a player or two.

A better location would have no knock on benefit.


A possible answer was given to me today by Henry Morton, several, well made small exhibitions in key places such as the Tourism Office, library etc that would then inform people of the main exhibition and where it is. The small modules would contain none of the multi-media type stuff that we would hope to include in the main one, and would probably be duplicated in each location - but it would give the message.

One to think about later methinks.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

the exhibition got a good write up in tonights/tomorrows Observer. it was also mentioned on 107 the Bee at lunchtime.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

Wow!:)
Congratulations to everyone concerned!
This is fantastic news
Just the shot in the arm everyone probably needed given the negative publicity of the last few weeks


I do have a couple of questions:

1) If the exhibition will take nine months to come to fruition will that not coincide with the end of the season? (far better to have it running during a season where perhaps the viewing public could take in a game as well? Or is it governed by a timescale factor connected with it being a lottery grant?)

2) What are the chances of certain parts of the exhibition becoming permanent and becoming part of a bigger experience for match day hospitality and as part of the experience for the kids attending the football courses run by the club as an extra add on to go with a ground tour, getting to meet some of the players and an interactive quiz using parts of the exhibition?

Once again congratulations to everyone involved!!:)

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

On the placement of the exhibition I do think it really does need to be at the club whether that is by facilitating some of the space in the sponsors lounge or as Rob has suggested by buying portacabin structures that could be then re-used to facilitate other uses after the exhibition has finished. I would go for small taster section within the town centre but really push the boat out when it comes to advertising it within the town get posters up in every shop window advertising when and how to get to the exhibition, tickets or passes printed and available at certain outlets and perhaps get the Council involved in a massive launch at the Club and within the town with maybe a launch party involving local radio, celebs, funfair something that will bring punters into the town and also highlight the exhibition and maybe have a window display competition with cash prizes for the best decked out shops and market stalls in a Stanley theme? It's now the time for everyone involved the OSC,Club and Coucil too unite behind the exhibition and show the whole comunity that they have a history but they also have a massive future too!:)

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

When the project was originally devised and the application submitted the exhibition was scheduled for the start of this season and the project was designed to be a year long project. However, because it's taken a lot of tooing and froing with the Heritage Lottery to get awarded the grant it pushed the time frame back. What is still possible is that, if we are going well with getting all the information and stuff, that we either bring the exhibition forward to the end of the season or , the opposite and we wait until the start of next season. Like everything else, it's not cast in stone yet.

We haven't had a steering group meeting yet so no decisions have been made so any suggestions are still welcomed.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

the local radio are well onboard, I was interviewd today on 107 and Radio Lancs so the message is well and truly getting out now.

Re: OSC Exhibition
 

i can arrange for you to get a day in the main foyre of liverpool, liverpool john moores, liverpool hope or lanchashire universitys student unions.

just an idea.