Host of strange objects on show at Preston Hall

By Mike Blackburn, Evening Gazette

A SUITCASE which unfolds into a pushchair, a clown’s wig and more than 40 vacuum cleaners are some of the strange objects in Preston Hall Museum’s latest exhibition.

TOO MUCH STUFF features a whole host of objects which are part of the museum’s vast collection - but which rarely see the light of day.

Stockton Council’s Museum Service has more than 100,000 objects but only 5% are on display at any one time.

So the museum is going through a “life laundry” exercise and reviewing what needs to be kept and what objects could be used by other museums or schools.

Too Much Stuff, on display until March 7, features some of the thousands of objects and explains how and why the collection is being streamlined.

Cllr Mary Womphrey, Stockton Council’s cabinet member for arts, leisure and culture, says: “This latest exhibition is a fantastic opportunity to see some of the weird and wonderful objects in the museum’s collection.

“We can all realise just how much stuff we have collected over the years and the museum is no different. Head along to see what gems are on display.”

Funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund, matched by Stockton Council, has allowed the museum service to create a new purpose-built collections store at Preston Hall Museum.

The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am until 4.30pm. For more details call 01642 527375.

GUISBOROUGH-BASED photographers Sue and Steve Griffiths are helping local photographers and artists by offering space in their gallery as photographer or artist of the month.

The rolling programme gives exhibitors the opportunity to benefit from exhibition space for a month.

The 2010 season of exhibitions opened with local landscape photographer Graham Ward.

Living on the edge of the North York Moors gives Graham access to some of the country’s greatest landscapes. Most of his photographs are taken in the first light of dawn and late evening when the light is at its most spectacular.

Graham has witnessed some truly amazing sunrises and sunsets and these images can be seen in his latest exhibition at The Gallery in Fountain Street, Guisborough, which runs until February 26.

Entry is free, the gallery is open 9.30am-5.30pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am-3pm on Saturdays.