A film exploring the experiences and successes of Accrington's working women will be shown for the first time this weekend.
The culmination of 12 months' work during lockdown recording interviews, stories of women living and working in the borough have been brought to life through local amateur actors from the Oswaldtwistle Arts Centre and Burnley College.
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, History in Action CIC's - 'Women's Work', it will be shown to a limited capacity audience in Accrington Market Hall at both 12.30pm and 2pm on Saturday 25 September.
Project Co-Ordinator Trizia Wells, said: "It's wonderful that despite COVID restrictions we have managed to record the voices and memories and bring to life so many local stories, we have met some fabulous women and this film event is a must see for all Accringtonians old and young, it catalogues a moment in history often overlooked."
Local amateur actors from the Oswaldtwistle arts centre and Burnley college brought stories from Accrington’s working women from the 1950s and 1960s to life
The film explores the real experiences of a generation of women growing up and working in and around Accrington.
The film includes the story of Accrington Wanderers and player/manager Betty Taylor, who alongside many other women fought hard for what they believed in during that period that we take for granted today.
The story of Betty Taylor and the Accrington Wanderers team will be told in the live screening of Women’s Work
Belinda Scarlett, curator at the National Football Museum in Manchester, commented: "I was fascinated to hear about History in Action's work and the story of Betty Taylor uncovered through their Women's Work project in Accrington.
"The history of women's football is often hidden away in the homes and memories of the women who shaped the game and oral history is a fantastic way to uncover and preserve these histories.
"It has been great to work with History in Action CIC and the National Football Museum will be delighted to display material from Betty and Accrington Wanderers Women's FC in our displays next year."
The screenplay was written by Heritage in Action's Playwright Mick Martin.
Seats to view the film screening are free but with places limited for the event, you can get your hands on the final few tickets here via Eventbrite
If you can't make it to the live screening ou may email trizia@historyinaction.net or visit the website www.historyinaction.net
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