Creativity and community in the limelight at Ollerton Library’s celebration event

Published 26th March 2025

At the end of 2024, Inspire’s Ollerton Library was awarded a grant from Libraries Connected thanks to funding from Arts Council England to carry out a small-scale project. The project, titled Ollerton: Then and Now, aimed to increase engagement with the area’s heritage, provide inclusive opportunities for all ages, and boost contributions to the Inspire Picture Archive. View the outcomes of the project in an exhibition at Ollerton Library, with a special celebration event taking place on Saturday 5 April.

In February 2025, two photography workshops took place led by local professional photographer Neil Pledger, one in Ollerton Village and one in New Ollerton. During the sessions, which were available exclusively for Ollerton residents, participants were given tips on photo composition and more ways to make the most out of their smartphone or camera. Under Neil’s instruction, photographs were taken during a short walk around the local area. They will be available to view on the Inspire Picture Archive – an online resource housing over forty thousand images on Nottinghamshire life – from Tuesday 1 April, where they will sit together with historic images, reflecting the transition between then and now.

The expansion of Ollerton content on the Inspire Picture Archive was a key aspect of the outcomes Inspire desired from the project. Nottinghamshire Archives who manage the Picture Archive are committed to documenting the transformation of Nottinghamshire’s landscapes and communities, and ex-mining towns like Ollerton often present with gaps in photographs, oral history and more. By adding photographs from the workshops to the collection, participants have played a key role in ensuring present day Ollerton is preserved for future generations.

Old photo of Hop Pole Hotel in Ollerton — Hop Pole Hotel, c.1900-1920. Image courtesy of the Inspire Picture Archive

Present day image of Hop Pole Hotel in Ollerton — Hop Pole Hotel, present day. Photographer: Adrian Wood

Local primary school children from Forest View Primary Academy were also involved in the Ollerton: Then and Now project, getting creative with fun and interactive workshops led by artist Edwina Kung. Inspired by maps of the Ollerton area, Edwina encouraged the children to explore mark-making and layering to create their own art maps featuring significant landmarks in their town.

The finished artwork and photographs can be seen in the upcoming Ollerton: Then and Now exhibition at Ollerton Library, which will be officially opened at the celebration event on Saturday 5 April. Those at the event will also be able to enjoy free family crafts, plus displays of heritage resources and ephemera relevant to the local area. Refreshments will be available free of charge.

Artist Edwina Kung showing students different art techniques

School students sat looking at an old photo of Ollerton

Edwina Kung helping a student with their art map

Child holding their art map to the camera

Staff member helping two students with their art maps

Student putting their art map on the floor along with other pieces of the map

The exhibition will be available to view at Ollerton Library until Tuesday 29 April, after which it will tour Newark Library (Friday 2 May – Thursday 29 May) and Southwell Library (Tuesday 3 June – Sunday 29 June). Those inspired to get creative themselves can join Neil Pledger for free bookable workshops this Spring at Newark Library (Saturday 10 May) and Southwell Library (Saturday 7 June). Edwina Kung will also be hosting more family art sessions at Ollerton Library (Saturday 12 April) and Newark Library (Wednesday 28 May), no booking required.

“Preserving Nottinghamshire’s heritage is something we’re passionate about at Inspire, and it’s fantastic to see the impact that Ollerton: Then and Now has had on
the local community. We’re thankful to Libraries Connected for giving us the
opportunity to address this need in the Ollerton area, and hope that the work
carried out with residents will continue to inspire them for years to come. I’m
excited to see the finished work at the upcoming exhibition and urge everyone
to join us in celebrating the contributions made by the wonderful community in
Ollerton.”

Peter Gaw, Chief Executive Officer of Inspire

More information about Ollerton: Then and Now and the exhibition, will be listed on the website at inspireculture.org.uk/OllertonThenNow.

Events at Ollerton Library can be found at inspireculture.org.uk/ollerton