OSC Exhibition

maccawozzagod · 11-09-2007, 19:22

separate thread from the meeting one I think

The exhibition originally came about around 18 months ago. The club were approached about the possibility of holding it but would have been unable to obtain any lottery money to put it on. It was then mentioned to the OSC who were able to apply. The bid was put together by Gayle Knight and she and our Treasurer, Bill Nuttall have since spent the last 18 months going back and forth to the Heritage people with bids and revised bids. Last week the go ahead was finally given we were awarded £48,000.

This exhibition is not to be confused with the one held at the Haworth Art Gallery featuring the work of Kipax, although his pictures will feature prominently within the end product.

The project will take around nine months to come to fruition and will eventually run for around 3 months dependant on venue etc.

One of the reasons we were awarded so much is because there are numerous social, educational and communal benefits built in. Not only will we be inviting various groups to take guided tours around the exhibition when it is finished but we will be involving these groups in the planning and executing stages.

We will be looking for around 20 volunteers to help with the work required to put it all together and we have 10 or 11 already who are acting as the inaugural steering group. The 'volunteers' will be eligible for pay for days worth of work they put in to it, although preference will be given to those who are willing to actually volunteer, the money for payment can then go into other areas of the scheme. They will be taken to Preston football museum for a day out where we can ascertain which elements of that display we like, and which we don't, to then incorporate into our work.

The volunteers will then partake in a training course on interview techniques (I think there is some sort of qualification) in order to develop skills to best acquire the information we want for the exhibition. We will then build an oral/aural history of the club and its fans which will be reproduced on CD to be given away to visitors. We will also be on the lookout for photographs from as far back as possible. Obviously more recent ones are in their thousands thanks to the tireless work of Kipax. Prior to that we had Roy Gabryzsak and the OSC photographer Terry Slinger, then we would have Garth Dawson, but before that we will have to rely on personal collections. This is all material that we could use. We will then pad it all out with various other items of memorabilia.

We have not discussed location yet as there are plenty of places where we could have brief showings, but we want something that lasts a little longer - maybe a portakabin or two linked together and decked out? but thats for discussion later.

As part of the efforts to get people up to the exhibition we will be bussing in groups from local old folks homes etc, it will be hoped that we could then get them into the game as well but we will have to talk with the club about that closer to the time because they will all need seating, same again with younger groups and underpriveleged children etc. This will keep us in the public eye and will do untold wonders for the image of the club.

We will be looking for skilled people who are able to put together advertising campaigns, media people to keep it in the local news, tradesmen to build the displays, caterers for the event launch/close, bus companies for transporting the people around. We will be looking for anybody who has the skills to help us pull it all off.

You can help us by volunteering to help gather or collate the information once its all in. If you feel that that isn't your bag, or you haven't got time, then at least be prepared to tell your story to someone. What was your first game? what kept you coming? who were the characters when you first came? have you ever done any work on the building of the ground? There are many, many untold stories of Accrington Stanley and this is our chance to get it all told and keep alive the memory of the old days when those fans are gone.

Above all, this is a chance for ASFC to get into and amongst all facets of the Community and it won't cost them a penny. Maybe it will rekindle a couple of sparks and get a few people back onto the terrace after years of absence. It is a chance for everybody to show thier support for the club, it is a chance for the club to make some positive business on the back of it, it is a chance for the OSC to boost its members, it is a chance for anybody to get back involved with THE NUMBER 1 TEAM IN ACCRINGTON.

There will be a Press Release that will go out next week to officially launch it to the town and there will be an Official Launch (with tea and bickies

) over the next few weeks, when we have got some plans formulated. When th ecall comes please be willing to offer your full and unconditional support. Posters such as Poppy, if they wish to contribute derogatory comments, may as well stay away now. I for one will be putting them on my ignore list then I don't have to read the trash that they write/type.

With a bit of luck, by this time next year we will be congratulating ourselves on a succesful campaign and the FES will be a little fuller and a little happier. The club, through Eric, Rob and Lew, were present at the meeting last night and were very positive about what this can acheive. A club official will be present on the steering group to ensure that we are all working together and getting the correct backing, and that all contacts are being utilised.

There will also be a comprehensive report and updates on the OSC site as we go along so please feel free to pop in and have a look from time to time.

Keeping the faith

Rob

touchline.tv · 11-09-2007, 20:17

touchline.tv would be willing to input on the media side if required, we have only got the recent stuff [3 years] on archive but i suppose all the conf celebrations and bus tour to town hall all filmed but unused footage could be used. any use let me know. !

Gayle · 11-09-2007, 20:23

Thank you. It might be nice to include a looped viewing of the celebrations as part of the exhibition.

southernred · 11-09-2007, 20:32

Rob,

SUPERB!!!

Best wishes for this plan and glad it is happening NOW.

We are all getting older every day, remember there are many stalwarts who are sadly no longer with us ( Bill Parkinson, Dick Briggs, John Duckworth, Charlie Tuck, John Prescott, to name only a few) This plan needs going ASAP and lets all give our thanks to Bill & Gayle for there efforts.

One polite request/suggestion; where ever possible can we give existing club sponsors/partners 1st choice in the plans ( Frazer Eagle for transport) It may not be up their street, but at least they have been asked. Also if you are bringing new partners on board, please pass their details to Lew, he can then ask for additional support

Please ASK LOUDLY when you need advice/support/assistance

Gayle · 11-09-2007, 20:35

Yes, of course, Southernred that's an excellent idea. I'll speak to Lew about the current list of sponsors so that we can approach them should we need anything - would perhaps be quite good to put a bit of work their way if we can.

Doug · 11-09-2007, 20:42

I have already said that this is a good work in progress. Just linking into Gayle’s suggestion would it be possible for the Observer to run a request for any amateur video of the march from Peel Park, also did any one on here capture it at the time?

Not sure how I can help at this time, I in process of setting up a business that will take finance and time away from my association with the club. However anything I can help with I’ll consider. I’d like to come along to the Football Museum with you lot when you go. I will fund myself on that day if it can be arranged.

Good luck.

Gayle · 11-09-2007, 20:49

Rob has explained the project very eloquently.

Like he said, we're looking for volunteers to help out at various stages of the project - you don't have to sign up for everything and we've already got enough people on the steering group but there are lots of other ways you can help.

The attached form will be sent out to all the supporters club members and passed around the ground but please take the time to download it here and fill it in with any of your offers of help and email it to me.

Doug · 11-09-2007, 20:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

Rob has explained the project very eloquently.

Like he said, we're looking for volunteers to help out at various stages of the project - you don't have to sign up for everything and we've already got enough people on the steering group but there are lots of other ways you can help.

The attached form will be sent out to all the supporters club members and passed around the ground but please take the time to download it here and fill it in with any of your offers of help and email it to me.

Thanks Gayle, I'll give a look over and get back to you......

Oggy · 11-09-2007, 21:58

Wow, gobsmacked. Well done to everybody who's worked to get this started.

I'll have a think as to what I can contribute, in the meantime, have your first banana.

LewCarroll · 12-09-2007, 10:19

I have to agree, this is something that has taken my breath away, It will be an amazing asset to help push the future of the club forward in all ways across the board.

I'm delighted to be able to represent the club on this project, It will bring the club, it's supporters, the town and the surrounding area together for one common cause.

Congratulations to Gayle and the OSC for bringing this to life and for there tireless hard work. I for one look forward to seeing the finished product and having something to be very proud of.

Stanleymad · 12-09-2007, 10:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gayle

Rob has explained the project very eloquently.

Like he said, we're looking for volunteers to help out at various stages of the project - you don't have to sign up for everything and we've already got enough people on the steering group but there are lots of other ways you can help.

The attached form will be sent out to all the supporters club members and passed around the ground but please take the time to download it here and fill it in with any of your offers of help and email it to me.

Those of us that came at the meeting filled those in, we dont need to fill it again ? & when will the volunteers be chosen for what part?

Gayle · 12-09-2007, 11:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stanleymad

Those of us that came at the meeting filled those in, we dont need to fill it again ? & when will the volunteers be chosen for what part?

Anyone who filled in one at the meeting doesn't need to do it again. I've got those stored now.

All those who volunteered to be on the steering group are on the steering group and I'll get in touch very soon with the first meeting date. As for all the other things - I'll put together a list of people who have offered various things or support. When we get to those points in the project I'll get back in touch with everyone to give them details of what's needed. So for instance, if you've offered to steward the event but don't want to get involved in the interviews or collecting of memorabilia, then I'll probably not get back to you until the a few weeks before the exhibition is due to open to schedule stewards. If on the other hand you've signed up to do interviews then I'll contact you relatively soon to find out what days you are available for the training, etc.

Hopefully, everyone who has offered to help will be able to help in the way that they've offered - if that makes sense. The more the merrier and many hands make light work is what I think I'm saying!

Stanleymad · 12-09-2007, 11:40

Ahh great stuff - looking forward to having something interesting to do & look forward to lol

Once again express my thanks to both yourself Gayle & also to Bill

alan7554 · 12-09-2007, 11:45

well done rob,for all your hard work,perhaps cavs signed away shirt should go in the exibition and not one the crown wall ,as it is the original one worn by cav the 1st season in the conference, give me a pm to sort it out,

Growler · 12-09-2007, 13:24

If you've seen the war memorabilia display in Ossy mills, you'll have also seen the model of the canal and cotton mills on the right hand wall. For the Exhibition, it might be a good idea to have a model of the peel park and crown grounds if someone talented enough could be found to build them.