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Exhibition launches to retell Hulme and Moss Side story

Last Friday (11 July) saw the launch of the Kath Locke Heritage exhibition, aiming to give a fresh perspective on Manchester’s Hulme and Moss Side.

The multimedia exhibition, housed permanently at the Kath Locke Centre, explores the history of the area over the past 70 years, celebrating the activism, community spirit and resilience of the area and its people.

More than 120 people from the local area came along to the launch event. They took in the wide range of artwork, information and memorabilia, heard from our volunteer participants about their experience of co-producing the exhibition, and left feeling prouder of the place they call home than ever.

In the exhibition, historic photography, memorabilia and documents combine with contemporary audio-visual storytelling to bring to life what gave Moss Side and Hulme its remarkable legacy.

From anti-deportation campaigns to supplementary schools, time and time again the community has stood shoulder to shoulder together to improve their world. Music and creativity, as much as demonstrations, meetings and self-help, were a central part of this activism.

This exhibition, funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and made possible by volunteer participants from across the local area, tells the story of ordinary people who made Hulme and Moss Side and extraordinary place. A place to call home.

The exhibition will be permanently on display at the Kath Locke Centre, and the café at the centre will be opening in September. So next time you’re nearby, make sure you drop in and learn more about this amazing story of activism and resilience.