Oldham double

Paul Pluck says 'The Central Baths stood on Union Street, but have since been demolished. It was used by many schools in the nineteen fifties and sixties and was well known as a very cold baths. I never enjoyed going, partly because of that, but mainly because I was not a very good swimmer'.

Within a couple a months of one another, Gallery Oldham has two temporary exhibitions which draw on the work of north west urban artists, who, each, in their own way, capture life in North West England. News of Roger Hampson's exhibition can be found in an earlier posting (Images of a disappearing landscape). 'My Oldham' will be in the Community Gallery at Gallery Oldham 6 June–18 July 2009 and is a collection of thirty paintings by Oldham artist Paul Pluck, which recall town landmarks from the 1950s and 60s as Paul remembers them. Each painting is accompanied by his memories of the place in the painting.Gallery Oldham,Cultural Quarter, Greaves Street, Oldham OL1 1AL, Mon–Sat 10am–5pm, free, contact: GO, tel: 0161 770 4653, email, website.

Young Historian Awards for Local History

Each year the Historical Association funds four Young Historian Awards for Local History in schools and colleges. The Award sections are Primary, Key Stage 3, GCSE level and Post-16. This year's closing date is 24 July 2009. Further particulars can be obtained from the Director of the Young Historian Project, Dr Trevor James, Birmingham and Midland Institute, 9 Margaret Street, Birmingham B3 BS, tel: 01543-301097, email.

Fortified England appeal

Sue Rennie, who publishes the online newsletter Fortified England on her website, has just issued an appeal for articles for future issues. The next deadline is 1 May 2009 for the May/June 2009 edition, which will be mailed to over 2,000 readers world wide. Such is the wonder of the web that she manages all this from her home in Western Australia.

Stirling Castle gets its own logo

Stirling Castle's logo

Historic Scotland is giving Stirling Castle Palace £12m makeover, which will see the royal lodgings at the Castle returned to the Renaissance magnificence of the mid-16th century. As a result, the Castle has been given its own logo, which is described as 'references to Scotland’s coat of arms, the Unicorn Tapestries and sculptures on Stirling Castle’s Great Hall roof. The unicorn, the enigmatic mythological beast, features throughout Stirling Castle. The new mark also takes its shape from the famous circular wood-carved Stirling heads. Its references and complex detail are emblematic of pageantry and royal status, and features Stirling Castle sitting high up in its green and leafy setting'. Historic Scotland go on to say 'Our aim (has been) to create a distinctive, memorable and stronger visual identity which embodies the special importance and character of Stirling Castle'.

13 April 2009