Exhibits from an archaelogical dig on a historic Bolton estate went on show for the first time, with famous faces from the area coming to have a look.
The Bygone Over Hulton Exhibition took place over the weekend and showcased the findings of the dig which took place at Hulton Park Estate over the summer.
Staged at the Over Hulton Conservative Club, it was organised Over Hulton Heritage Group.
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 pipes for smoking tobacco
Also among the findings is what is thought to be a port glass with the Hulton Coat of Arms and "WH" - Sir William Hulton.
Greater Manchester County Archaeologist, Ian Miller, who was involved in the dig, was present at the exhibition.
He said: “It’s good to see so many people interested. I’m of the opinion, what’s the point in digging it up if you’re not going to show it to people.
“A lady turned up who used to work for the Hultons, she’d found a button from one of the butlers’ shoes.
“When you combine that oral history with physical remains, it’s only at this type of event that these stories can come out.
Read more: Artefacts found on a historic Bolton estate to go on show for first time
“It’s important as well, as a lot of this oral history isn’t going to be around forever.”
He added: “I wish we had more of these, people love it, people really engage with it and it helps people take ownership of their own areas.
Colin Elder, who was the site supervisor at the Hulton Hall dig, also attended the exhibition.
He said: “The community have been really engaged, it feels really good to be honest.
“We have a bit more information about these things now. It makes it so much more worthwhile when the community are engaged with it, because then it’s not just for us and our report.
“It was incredible all the way through, with everyone coming out and having a really good time, being cheerful and friendly.
“Because we had such a good turnout with the community, we didn’t have as much to do as we expected after.”
John Bullen, a volunteer at Over Hulton Heritage Group and one of the organisers of the day, said:
“It’s been amazing how it’s all come about. We first did this three years ago on two consecutive Sundays, this was in the February before lockdown.
“We had nearly 500 visitors come through, so we were determined to do it again.
“Everything in there is done by volunteers, all the displays.
“The bus is from the Leyland Transport Museum, it’s a 1953 Leyland Bus. The whole event is free for everybody.”
He continued: “We’ve got local celebrities here, including West End superstar Claire Moore, who was born in Over Hulton.
“Professional footballer, Luke Joyce, who played for Accrington Stanley, Carlisle and Port Vale, and Jacqueline Parry, the widow of Ray Parry, who played for Bolton Wanderers, Blackpool and England.
“People of Bolton may remember Ray, he used to run a news kiosk by Great Moor Street Bus Station, he ran that for years.”
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