Exhibitions – Morecambe Heritage

Celebrating 100 years of Morecambe FC – The Shrimps

Starting next Tuesday 18th May, we proudly present the centenary of Morecambe FC. Launch with special guest, Kieth Galley, ex player and goal scorer in the 1974 FA Challenge Trophy Final.

An exhibition of entertainments in Morecambe – from 13th July 2019

From July 2019 until March 2020, we proudly presented our ‘Exhibition of entertainments’ in Morecambe. This was staged as a result of a survey conducted in 2018, which showed overwhelming support for an exhibition celebrating the many entertainments which have been, and continue to be a central part of Morecambe’s rich heritage.

Watch the promotional video here

Celebration of making ‘The Entertainer’ film – from 4th May 2019

60 years ago in the summer of 1959, Morecambe was alive with Camera crews, equipment and big name actors.

They were filming an adaptation of John Osborne’s play ‘The Entertainer’

Many of the actors came from London or Manchester, but a few were locals, including our very own Thora Hird. But what about the bit part actors? – most of them came from Morecambe!

Our Exhibition celebrated making the film here in Morecambe, but also celebrated the local unknown stars of the film.

A 13 year old Brenda Ralph, was auditioned and cast into the opening scene. So impressed was the Director, Tony Richardson, by Brenda’s acting, that he quickly penned a few lines for her, giving her a speaking role which earned her £15!. Brenda speaks the opening lines to the film!

A shy 19 year old Ken Thompson, also auditioned with two friends and got the part of a rock’n’roll trio. Ken makes several short appearances throughout the film.

The launch of our exhibition took place on Saturday 4th May, here at the heritage centre in the Arndale Centre, where our two local actors were guests of honour.

The exhibition ran until mid July, and was a resounding success with thousands of people coming to the centre to enjoy the nostalgia and memories from the late 1950s!

Watch the promotional video here

The Great War and Whitehall by the Sea – from 15th April 2017

This accumulation of genuine, historical artefacts, collected by Paul Lomax, is our exhibition for this year. Included in the display are many items used as props in the making of the film ‘War Horse’. You will see how our lads fared in the trenches and the ‘luxury’ enjoyed by the officers. There is also the fascinating story of how Morecambe played an important part in World War II. We re-open at Easter 2018.

Beauty Surrounds – from 27th May 2016

This wonderful archive, collected by Dorothy Fisher, forms the basis for this exhibition. For 28 years she organised the Miss Great Britain event and was a second ‘mum’ to the girls. Open Tuesdays, Thursdays and weekends from 11am to 4pm. Admission £2.

Next Stop Morecambe – from 16 January 2016

Call in to see the new railway exhibition, a guest exhibition of Morecambe district railwayana.

Morecambe Heritage Open Afternoon – 3rd October 2015

Call in to see the exhibition, meet the other members of the group and find out how you can get involved.

Vintage Weekend – 5th/6th September 2015

Morecambe was once again buzzing with the sounds and sights of Wayne Hemingway’s Vintage by the Sea. There was a red double decker bus throwing out sounds from earlier decades in the grounds of the Platform. Stalls galore inside a marquee at one of the Midland Hotel’s entrances. The Winter Gardens threw their doors open and vistors flocked in to mavel at the progress inside the building. As for the Heritage Centre, many of us were too busy explaining our aims to stop, let alone show people round the exhibit.

New Portrait of Eric Morecambe – 14th August 2015

A newly commissioned portrait of Eric Morecambe was unveiled at the Town Hall. The painting was commissioned by David Brayshaw and painted by former boxer, Robert Newbiggin. Joan Bartholomew, Eric’s widow, and Jon Barry, Mayor of Lancaster performed the unveiling at the ceremony.

Opening of the Centre – 29th May 2015

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