Bygone Over Hulton Exhibition celebrated by Bolton

The Bygone Over Hulton Exhibition, which has been running for three years, showcased the area’s rich cultural heritage, fearing a number of stalls centred around the theme 'Family and Community'.

The event was staged at the Over Hulton Conservative Club by the local heritage group.

Among the stallholders were the University of Salford's archaeological supervisor Colin Elder, and lead archaeologist Ian Miller.

A whole host of artefacts were on display (Image: Leah Collins) The two showcased a number of historic treasures found at the dig which took place at Hulton Park Estate during summer 2022.

The range of items, said Colin, who was site supervisor at the Hulton Hall dig two years ago, date back to the 17th century and perhaps even earlier.

(Image: Leah Collins)

The artefacts were discovered at Hulton Hall, the manor which once stood on the grounds of Hulton Park.

Artefacts found at the dig site include Staffordshire slipware, which were elaborately decorated ornamental dishes, as well as fragments of wine bottles and tobacco pipes.

Among other guests was the Greater Manchester Museum & Archives team, showcasing historical police equipment including wooden truncheons, handcuffs and police uniforms.

(Image: Leah Collins)

John Bullen, a volunteer at Over Hulton Heritage Group and one of the organisers of the day, said: “We had previously organised a trip to the police museum before COVID hit and it unfortunately had to be cancelled.

“The Over Hulton community officers have been great, they’re so approachable and very heavily involved in the community. They have reduced crime greatly in the local area.

“We set up a local community group with them four years ago and since then crime in the local community has decreased. We’ve even had three prosecutions because of the group.”

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The GMP Museum and Archives is in the heart of Manchester’s Northern Quarter and is set inside an 1879 police station allowing you to step back in crime visiting cells and courtrooms as they would have been at the end of the 19th century.

The tours are available for all ages and can be booked online.

John, who organised the event with the help of coordinators Carol Gibbons and Jackie Killey, said: “It’s been such a successful day, the last exhibition had over 600 visitors and I’ve got a hunch we’ve had more than that today.

(Image: Leah Collins) “Jackie and Carol put together the event with Eric, who is ill and unable to make it but is so excited seeing the pictures come through whilst he’s recovering.”

One of the stalls delved into the historical significance of the Hulton family – an aristocratic family who lived in Bolton for almost a millennium and hold a special relation to Julian Fellowes, the creator of the hit period drama, ‘Downton Abbey’.

John said: “As a relative of the Hulton family, Julian regularly stayed in Bolton as a child.

(Image: Leah Collins) “It’s evident that he incorporated some of his time at Bolton into Downton Abbey, which is great coverage for Over Hulton.

“The Hulton family also has another connection to history, during the Peterloo Massacre of 1819 it was Peter Hulton who gave the order to charge.”

The venue was adorned with a few Union Jack flags, fairy lights and commemorative murals for World War One veterans from the local area.

Among the helpers were a dozen volunteers from Amazon’s Bolton fulfilment centre, who were assisting with ensuring the event was running smoothly.

Michael Partington of Milk Maids Bolton also compiled a superb family history especially of Milk Maids Ice Cream.

Another major attraction was the vintage bus, courtesy of Leyland Transport Museum, offering free rides to visitors of the exhibition.

(Image: Leah Collins) Driver of the retro vehicle, Alan, said: “The bus chassis dates back to 1975, and the body is 1981.

"It’s been great showing people the vehicle, everyone wants to get pictures of the bus because it looks great!”

(Image: Leah Collins)

John said: “Today's exhibition was a massive success. It's given Over Hulton a real identity, everyone’s mucked in and helped.

“It’s great to see the community come together to celebrate something so special.”

Got a story? E-mail me at Leah.collins@newsquest.co.uk