A NEW display will take bus passengers in Bolton back in time and provide an insight into the town’s rich industrial heritage.
The display is a precursor to a piece of artwork that has been commissioned for the new Bolton transport interchange — a large caddow quilt.
Images of caddow quilts have now been put on display in the waiting area at Moor Lane bus station to mark the beginning of the transition to the new interchange.
Caddow (or caddy) quilts are thought to have developed from quilting traditions brought over to Bolton by European refugees in the 1700s.
They were traditionally produced as gifts, or to commemorate a significant event — for example, a caddow celebrating "the works of industry of all nations" was produced in Bolton for display at the Crystal Palace for the Great Exhibition in 1851.
The artist, Kate Maddison, has taken that theme and produced a modern caddow to celebrate the building of the new interchange.
The design incorporates images of different modes of sustainable and public transport and a large version of the piece will be displayed in the completed interchange building.
Transport for Greater Manchester’s head of programme management services, Peter Boulton, said: “The panels form an excellent display and one that not only helps further promote public transport within the Bolton community, but also makes the surrounding area much more visibly engaging.
“I am very impressed with the artist’s designs and I like to think that we are doing something similar, stitching together a range of transport choices into one single piece.”
Leader of Bolton Council, Cllr Cliff Morris, said: “Kate actually visited the museum and took inspiration from the quilts we have in our collection.
"Her design reflects Bolton’s social history and we’re pleased that our industrial heritage has been celebrated in this way.”
Work started last year on Bolton interchange, near the junction of Great Moor Street and Newport Street, backing onto the train lines running north out of Bolton.
Transport bosses hope that, when complete, the interchange will provide a "modern, high quality facility" for bus passengers, providing better connectivity between bus and rail services and acting as a gateway to the town centre.
The interchange will incorporate new passenger information and ticketing facilities, a safer and more secure waiting environment with greater accessibility and a skylink bridge directly connecting the interchange with the train station.
The scheme forms an integral part of Bolton Council's Newport Street gateway regeneration plan and town centre transport strategy.
The Bolton Caddows collection is viewable by appointment — call 01204 332211.
Find out more information about the collection at http://www.boltonmuseums.org.uk/museum/museum-collection-highlights/local-history/the-bolton-caddow-quilts
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