Made on Merseyside 23rd September – 16th November

Kirkby Gallery’s latest exhibition is a fabulous opportunity for people of all ages to discover local industry past and present.

“Made on Merseyside” is an original exhibition developed from Prescot Museum’s collection, with additions from the ARK at Knowsley Archives, National Museums Liverpool, and the personal collections of local individuals.

Colourful displays of products, packaging and photographs of staff and factories are brought to life by a specially-commissioned montage of film and audio clips from various local history projects, promotional footage and personal interviews. Some of these interviews capture more recent experiences and memories not previously documented, preserving them for the future.

This fascinating exhibition, a mix of local, social and design history, features a blend of historic and current firms including Amazon Studios, BICC, Cronton and Whiston Collieries, English Electric, Hornby Meccano, Huntley and Palmers, Kirkby Tyres, Lancashire Watch Company, Leather Satchel Company, Royal Ordnance Factory, Tinling’s and many more.

The breadth of items manufactured locally is huge – everything from washing machines to watches, bags to biscuits, tools to toys, frozen peas to funky tunes – so much has been “made on Merseyside”!

Schools can book self-led workshops and engage with the displays using a choice of bespoke educational learning resources inspired by local industry and products to explore design, numeracy and communication.