Tameside’s museums and galleries to re-open

PORTLAND Basin Museum in Ashton will reopen its doors to the public on Wednesday, May 19, following the further national easing of covid restrictions.

To keep everyone safe, changes to the way the museum operates will remain in place. To manage numbers, visits must be pre-booked at www.tameside.gov.uk/portlandbasin and can last around an hour. Opening times are 10am to 3pm (Wednesday to Sunday).

There is a one-way system around the exhibits with hand-sanitising stations and extra cleaning measures introduced. It is also compulsory to wear a face covering and observe social distancing.

Portland Basin museum in Ashton-under-Lyne

While the children’s play area remains closed for the time-being, staff have created a wide range of craft activities to try at home. They are available at www.tameside.gov.uk/culturecrafts 

To celebrate reopening, the museum will be handing out craft bags packed with activities for children to do at home. The theme of the bags has been inspired by the current exhibition, “Nature’s Wonders”, which features objects from museum’s natural history collection. The bags will be given out on a first-come, first-served basis to people who book a visit to the museum. Thanks to funding from Arts Council England and Museum Development North West, the museum is also giving away craft bags at local foodbanks.

Admission to Portland Basin Museum remains free and there is free parking. People are welcome to take full advantage of the picturesque walks alongside the surrounding canals.

The Astley Cheetham Art Gallery, Stalybridge, will also reopen on Wednesday, May 19, and with extra safety measures in place. No booking is required to visit the gallery, which is situated inside Stalybridge Library, Trinity Street. Its opening hours are: Wednesdays, 1 to 5pm, and Saturdays, 10am to 3pm. Visitors can see a display of the gallery’s historic art collection, with new exhibitions of local artists’ work coming soon.

Exhibitions at the Market Gallery at Ashton Market Hall will resume from Monday, May 17, with artist Vanessa Dixon’s work in the spotlight.

Vanessa’s focuses on local places, buildings and customs, such as Whit Walks. She often bases her paintings on old photos and videos, which she brings back to life on canvas.

Her work will feature alongside an exhibition on local transport using photographs from Tameside Council’s archives.

Cllr Leanne Feeley, Tameside Council’s executive member with responsibility for culture, said: “I’m delighted that our cultural venues can reopen again. We can’t wait to welcome people back to enjoy art and culture, which have been proven to support people’s mental health and wellbeing.

“We have exciting things planned for the months ahead after such a difficult year for everyone.”

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