History of Roe Green Art Club

Mollie McGrath and Muriel Rogers Have kindly provided this short history.

In 1981 an advert appeared in the local journal saying that an art class was going to start at the Beesley Green Community Centre.  The teachers were Marjorie Woodford a retired teacher  from St. Mark's School, and a gentleman named Jack.  (He used to ride a shire horse around Roe Green).

Founder members, along with Muriel and Mollie, were Betty McGrath, Norah Gorrick, Beatrice Cole, Margaret Blocksedge, Greta Borbridge, and Mavis .  There was a huge response to the advert – 50 people - so the class was divided into two.   

The club had exhibitions at Beesley Green and in the Congregational Church in Walkden.  A painting in one of the exhibitions sold for £300.

Photographs show the 10 and 25 year birthday celebrations of the club.  Committee meetings were held at people's houses and there is a photograph of committee members taken in the early 1980's.

The standard of work was exceptional and a man from Leigh came to frame the pictures.

Later Danny Morrell from Start in Salford came to teach various methods of painting.  In nice weather people went outdoors to paint.  There was also an outing to Liverpool organised by Danny which  everybody enjoyed.

Two paintings that were in an exhibition.

A committee meeting held in a member's garden.  From left to right:

Greta Borbridge, Nora Gorrick, Betty McGrath, Margaret Blocksedge, Mollie McGrath and Mavis.

Celebrating the 25th anniversary. In the photograph from left to right: 

Marie Wallwork, ?, Sue McConnell,Carole Sugden (front), ?, ?, ?, Beatrice Cole, Mollie McGrath, Joan Haldane, Margaret Blocksedge, Muriel Rodgers.

Sincere thanks to Helen Bertenshaw for providing names for the photograph above, from left to right:

Back row: Unknown,Muriel Rogers, Marie Wallwork,Margaret Blocksedge,Greta Borbridge,Len ?,Tom Samples,Unknown, Unkown

Front row: Joan Haldane,Molly McGrath,Nora Gorrick,Joan Ogden,Beatrice Cole

The 10th anniversary cake.

Can anyone advise us of any  historical information about the club or put missing names to members on the above photos?