Covid lockdown artefacts at Bury Art Gallery

People’s thanks to public sector workers who helped us through the Covid pandemic have been compiled by Bury Art Museum.

Among the artefacts is a collection of 30 pictures and notes to the council’s waste disposal staff, drawn and written by residents and left on their bins during the 2020 lockdown.

They were donated by binman Paul Lindsey who, along with his wagon colleagues Mick Wilkinson and Dave Edwards, were touched by the expressions of thanks that Bury people showed them during this difficult time.

Donna Ball, executive director of operations, said: “Our front line operational staff are out in all weathers at all times: gritting our roads, emptying our bins, digging our graves, cleaning our streets. The list is endless and they are often overlooked in the public service arena for messages of thanks. I was utterly delighted during the pandemic to see so many of our residents placing signs out on their bins for our bin men who kept going each day under social distancing conditions. I thank all the front line staff at Bury Council for their efforts both now and then.”

The notes form part of a wider collection that the gallery is developing to tell the story of the covid pandemic in Bury.

So far this includes:

• Items relating to the Bury, Rochdale & Oldham Scrubs Hub, which tells the story of women in the community coming together to make scrubs for nurses and health care workers at the beginning of the pandemic.
• Three dolls made by a lady from Prestwich as her way to keep busy and see her through.
• A butterfly picture by a 5-year-old girl called Imogen, which she put up in her window to thank NHS staff.
• Government-related literature that was posted through people’s doors, along with testing kits and masks.

The gallery is also in the process of acquiring a contemporary artwork print – ‘Key Workers Print’ by Craig Oldham.

Councillor Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture and the economy, said: “Covid was immensely challenging but also brought out the best of people. It’s fantastic that these items have been collected in our archive for future generations to see and learn from.”

There will be an exhibition of the donations in the summer, although the collection can be viewed by appointment.