A UNIQUE exhibition of spoken memories opened in Leigh this week.

"Mondays Was Washdays" is the culmination of 10 months of work by Leigh's artist in residence Suki Chan.

Her reminiscence project, which aims to bring young and older generations together, started life from a chance conversation with two elderly women over a cup of coffee in Leigh Parish Church cafe.

They shared memories of their local life with Suki. Now 2896 minutes of audio recording and 756 photographs later the work is being shown -- and heard -- in the Turnpike Gallery until the end of the month.

Pensioners from Alma Street OAP Centre, Bristles Art Group, the Golden Years Club, Leigh Widows, Platt Bridge Senior Citizens' Group and Leigh Parish Church have all contributed their personal histories and experiences of life in the last century.

The series of installations uses sound recordings and photographs, juxtaposed with historical artefacts, digitally printed textiles and wallpaper designed by Suki and containing scrubbing boards, tin baths and decorative old tins

She said: "The emphasis is on the importance of our memories in the present and in our future. The textiles have been produced in response to the events and celebrate the breadth of historical heritage as remembered through the eyes of local people."

Slide show

The exhibition opened on Wednesday with a slide show, music quiz and refreshments.

The diary of events is:

Friday 5th,12-3pm: Stephen Lythgoe will take visitors on tour of Leigh Library to see the resources available for the elderly.

Tuesday 9th, 10.30am-2pm: Suki leads a tour of the exhibition and speaks about all aspects of the project from her inspirations, the development of ideas, funding and community workshops through to the exhibition installation.

Thursday 11th, 11am to 4pm: The North West Sound Archive team Recording Day; 1.30pm: Minibus tour of Leigh with local historian Tony Ashcroft.

Thursday 18th, 2-4.30pm: Tour of Leigh on foot with Tony Ashcroft. Meet in Turnpike Foyer, tickets £1.

Monday 29th 1pm-4pm: New media workshop with artist Jackie Chattur - an an opportunity for everyone to express their views and take part in community planning.

An illustrated catalogue, with an audio CD, accompanies the exhibition and is available from the gallery office at £1. All proceeds from the sale of the catalogue goes to the Leigh Parish Church fund to restore the historic bell tower.