A NEW exhibition charting the history of Lymm in pictures has launched.

Look@LYMM opened at Lymm Heritage Centre on Thursday and includes pictures dating back to the 19th century.

Many of the images are from Alan Taylor, former chief photographer for the Cheshire Guardian group.

Alan Williams, chairman of the centre, said: “When Alan Taylor left school in the mid 1950s he went to work at Lymm grocery shop Henry Millings where one of his workmates was Terry Waite.

“While making deliveries he would always carry his Zeiss Ikonta camera and often stop to capture everyday scenes of village life.

“Alan was able to turn his love of photography into a career.”

Now Alan’s original images, plus some from his collection of historic pictures of the village, form the core of the new exhibition.

The display also draws on donations of pictures from other villagers, the oldest dating to 1861.

Alan Williams added: “When I first got interested in local history I soon got to know Alan Taylor.

“His generosity and willingness to share his photographs has enabled us to produce fascinating local history books and videos together and also to put on an exhibition like this which is drawing huge local interest.”

The display itself, designed and constructed by artists Colin and Janet Grimes also includes many innovative features including an image of a fustian cutter with cloth cascading out of the picture and a reproduction of the Lymm stocks next to a dressing up box.

There is also a companion booklet, priced £2.50, packed with pictures and arranged as a short journey around the village centre

  •  The centre at 1 Legh Street is open from 12pm until 4pm from Thursday to Sunday each week.