Last chance to see…. Food Glorious Food! exhibition

There are just three weeks left to see the ‘Food Glorious Food!’ exhibition at Portland Basin Museum…. This fascinating exhibition looks at changing attitudes to, and practices around what and how we eat.  It examines how technology for the preparation and cooking of food has developed and changed over the last 100 years. Do you remember the soda stream machine, Tupperware parties, the toastie maker or pressure cooker?  

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Featuring objects from Tameside’s social history and regimental collections, the exhibition has provided an opportunity to get long-forgotten kitchen gadgets out on display, such as a 1950s teasmade and a 1980s salad spinner. The exhibition begins by looking at local food growing on Ashton Moss. In the 19th century and beyond it provided a fertile growing area of 260 acres for a whole range of vegetables including its world famous celery. Produce growing finally stopped on this land in 1995 and it is now home to a retail leisure park.

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Displays move through the decades covering the rise of corner shops, markets and supermarkets through to online ordering of food. The impact of wartime is discussed including rationing and the role of the Women’s Land Army. The display includes information about local food manufacturers such as Hill Biscuits and Robertson Jam. There is a section about local dishes such as Manchester Tart and Eccles cakes – how many have you tried? Tripe was also a local delicacy - did you know tripe was known as ‘Lancashire Calamari?’!! It also explores more recent topics such as food banks, food sustainability and the free school meals campaign. Shifting attitudes towards eating and shopping are examined such as the increase in veganism, other dietary requirements and the rise in popularity of foods from around the world.

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The exhibition has been generously supported through a grant from The Linbury Trust as part of the ‘Take One Ingredient’ project involving local arts organisation Interference-Art and The Sainsbury Archive in London.

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The partnership with The Sainsbury Archive means the displays are supplemented with loans from their fascinating collection, including their iconic packaging from the 1960s and 70s.

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Food Glorious Food! ends on 24 April and entry is free.

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Find out more about more about planning a visit to Portland Basin Museum here.

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