AFTER attracting more than 1,000 visitors since opening in October, the Wire Works exhibition will come to an end this weekend, not before some special guests from Warrington Wolves pay a visit.

The exhibition will close its doors on Saturday, November 20 – and to celebrate the culmination of a hugely successful project, some surprise Rugby League stars from the Wolves past and present will be popping in from 11am to 12noon.

They will be joined by Mike Nicholas MBE, who played for Wire’ in the 1970s. He also worked as a loom operator at Thomas Locker & Co. Mike and features in one of the exhibition’s special ‘wire stories’ videos.

Wolves stars will be available to sign autographs for visitors. Staff and volunteers at the exhibition will ensure this is carried out in a safe, COVID-secure way.

The exhibition has told the fascinating story of one of Warrington’s most significant industries through an interactive blend of heritage and art, including sculpture, film, dance, poetry, and real-life accounts of what it was like to work in a wire factory in Warrington.

And to thank lottery players, without whom the Wire Works project wouldn’t have been possible, a special raffle will be drawn on Saturday, November 20 at 4pm.

Prizes include a signed Warrington Wolves shirt, a family ticket (two adults, two children) to a Rugby League World Cup 2021 game at the Halliwell Jones Stadium, along with the opportunity to take home the specially created model of Lady Gaga wearing a dress made using Warrington wire, which has been a real highlight of the exhibition.

It’s free to enter the draw – head to the exhibition at the old Co-Op Bank, near Vintage Viola, in Golden Square at any time from Wednesday, November 17.

Present one of the staff or volunteers with a lottery ticket or proof of purchasing an online ticket for one of the draws between November 13 and 20, and they will take a contact number and give you a raffle ticket.

 

A volunteer looks at the Wire Works exhibition of a Wire ball

A volunteer looks at the Wire Works exhibition of a Wire ball

 

Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet member responsible for culture, Cllr Maureen McLaughlin, said: “The Wire Works has been a massive success – and there’s a very special final weekend in store, with this visit from Rugby League players from ‘The Wire’. It’s a fitting way to end the exhibition, which has celebrated how the wire industry has helped make Warrington the place it is, and which still resonates in our town today.

“It has been wonderful to see so many people come down and visit the exhibition over the past month and learn more about the legacy left by the wire industry. The final Saturday is set to be an unforgettable occasion – so if you haven’t visited the exhibition yet, it’s the perfect time to pop in. If you’ve already visited, why not come again?

“Meanwhile, if you do have any stories to share, I’d encourage that you do so, either by dropping into the exhibition or by emailing the exhibition team. Having first-hand memories from local people who have personal or family history connections with the town’s wire industries, past and present, is what makes this exhibition so special.”

And it’s not too late to share your own wire stories and memories – the team is still looking to collect stories as they know that there are many more people with memories, photos and artefacts to share.

If you have been unable to visit in person, you can email heritageprojects@warrington.gov.uk to tell your stories, or to let them know that you have something to share –items can be collected at a future date.

Visitors are welcome between 10am and 5pm from Wednesday to Saturday, or 11am-4pm on Sundays.