Friends of Winckley Square to hold walking events and photography workshops for Preston Arts Festival

Socially distanced sun seeking in Winckley Square Pic: Tony Worrall — Socially distanced sun-seeking in Winckley Square Pic: Tony Worrall

The Friends of Winckley Square have invited residents to join them for a series of walking events and photography workshops for the Preston Arts Festival.

Running from 2 to 10 October, Preston Arts Festival will feature a portrait painting challenge at The Harris and combine historical guided walks with live music, art exhibitions, talks, photography workshops, poetry and craft and pottery activities.

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The first walk, From Fishergate to the Ribble; West Preston – shaped by power and influence, will be held on Sunday 3 October, from 14.00 to 15.30, guided by Steve Harrison.

Friends of Winckley Square said: “Churchgate and Fishergate; where Preston’s rich and powerful families lived until factory building in the late 18th century.

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“Subsequently, the west end of the town was shaped by local oligarchs. Private and public buildings were erected. Did the powerful create a world just for themselves, or was philanthropy a key motive?”

The second walk, Women’s Plights not Women’s Rights in the 19th century, will be held on Tuesday 5 October, from 14.00 to 15.15, guided by Susan Douglass.

Friends of Winckley Square said: “Using case histories, you will meet local women from the 19th century – two victims
of the cruel deception of a powerful and respected Preston man.

“A woman of a certain class who was prepared for marriage and not for work, but a change of circumstances meant that the need to earn a living placed women in a precarious position and a gentleman’s wife who died at the hands of male medical practitioners, unreceptive to new ideas or arguments.”

The third walk, Extraordinary Women of Winckley Square, will be held on Wednesday 6 October, from 14.00 to 15.15, guided by Patricia Harrison.

Friends of Winckley Square said: “There were many remarkable women who lived, worked or were associated with the Square including Frances Winckley, after whom the Square is named.

“Ellen Cross, the widow, who drove through the realisation of the vision for the Square. Cornelia Connelly, a mother of five who became an abbess, founded the Society of the Holy Child Jesus and established Catholic schools in Preston but was vilified in the press.

“Beatrice Todd, a suffragist, led the station buffet during WWI and established mother and baby care in Preston and Leyland.”

The fourth walk, Edith Rigby Trail Guide, will be held on Saturday 9 October, from 14.00 to 15.45, guided by Judy Beeston.

Friends of Winckley Square said: “Follow the Edith Rigby Trail to hear the story of Preston’s most famous suffragette.

“A woman with an independent spirit who dedicated most of her life to fighting for women’s rights, particularly of working-class women, who were so frequently exploited in Lancashire’s factories. Imprisoned eight times and force-fed. Courageous and fearless.

The walk includes a stop at the Olive Grove Coffee Shop, Central Methodist Church.

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The fifth walk, Preston – It’s a Gas!, will be held on Sunday 10 October, from 14.00 to 15.30, guided by Peter Wilkinson.

Friends of Winckley Square said: “Preston was the first town outside London to have a public gas supply. On this guided walk, you will visit key locations around the city centre, including the site of the first gas works, the
obelisk where the opening ceremony took place in February 1816, the coal yards and some of the buildings first lit by gas.”

The photography workshops in Winckley Square will be held with members of the Preston Photographic Society.

The first workshop, Portrait photography using natural light with Iain Jack Photography, will be held on Sunday 3 October, from 10.30 to 13.00, with a maximum of 10 participants.

Friends of Winckley Square said: “Iain will help and advise as a group and individually, including feedback on your portrait images taken on the day.

“Questions are actively encouraged. Iain will cover camera settings, changing settings to create mood, using natural light, light diffusion, light reflection and the use of composition to enhance your portrait photography.”

The second workshop, Developing your skills when framing the image and managing light with Paul Rushton, will be held on Tuesday 5 October, from 11.00 to 12.30, with a maximum of 8 participants.

Friends of Winckley Square said: “Bring your camera along to a photo shoot with Paul, who will support, advise and answer your photographic questions in a setting that combines both the built and the natural environment.

“Framing the image, managing light, getting the best from your camera and receiving feedback on your efforts. The session is aimed at those with cameras, but if anyone wishes to use their phone, that is ok.”

The third workshop, How to present a place and how to tell a story by photographs with Ryszard Kosik, will be held on Sunday 10 October, from 10am, with a maximum of 10 participants.

Friends of Winckley Square said: “Freelance photographer Ryszard will lead an exciting, innovative workshop in the gardens, providing guidance and feedback on this creative approach to photography.

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“This session works in sun, cloud or rain, so as long as there are no weather warnings, it will run. Great for Preston’s
uncertain October climate.”

There are also two Winckley Square exhibitions.

The first, Extraordinary Women of Winckley Square, will be held at Central Methodist Church, Lune Street, from 1 to 9 October, from 10.00 to 12:45. Entry is free.

Friends of Winckley Square said: “The FoWS research project of the lives of many of the women who lived, worked or were associated with Winckley Square resulted in an exhibition at the Harris Museum and FoWS being awarded a prize by the Women’s History Network.

“If you missed it, this is another chance to view it. Learn about some of the women’s untold stories, which will fascinate, surprise and possibly shock you; for example, the young Winckley Square accountant who ended up on Hitler’s hit list.”

The second exhibition, Art Exhibition and Open House: Behind the Blue Door by Norman Long, will be held at The Artistry House, 16 Winckley Square, between 1 and 9 October. Entry is free:

1 October- Intimate opening 16.00 to 20.00
5, 6 and 7 October – Open house 13.00 to 18.00
9 October – Open house 10.00 to 16.00
9 October – Norman Long Talk 13.00 to 14.30

Friends of Winckley Square said: “The Artistry House team are excited to welcome you back and are opening the doors to their beautifully renovated Winckley Square property for an exhibition of paintings by their in-house artist, Norman Long – Behind the Blue Door.

“The exhibition is a wonderful, eclectic collection of work stretching through the whole house.

All guided walks and photography workshops are £4.00.

For tickets, visit – https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/d/united-kingdom–preston/winckley-square/

Will you be attending the Winckley Square events? Let us know in the comments below