Express & Star

Keen photographer opens memories exhibition in Wolverhampton's Heath Town

A new venue has opened to allow people to share their memories of living in a popular part of Wolverhampton.

Published

Keen photographer Jack Nelson has opened the new exhibition at a flat in Chervil Rise in Heath Town in the hope it can be used as some kind of community hub which archives the area.

But the flats on Chervil Rise will be demolished within a couple of years to make way for new homes and Jack hopes the flats can be put to good use before they are gone forever.

Jack shows some of his work to Tom Bennett, Creative Director at National Trust's Croome Park

The 28-year-old, who studied photography at the University of Wolverhampton, wants the flat to become a platform where people can store their photos and memories of the district over the years as well as a place they can meet up and have a chat.

The venue opened for the first time on Saturday and will store past pictures of people enjoying their time in the district or drawings or pieces of photography - allowing residents to creatively archive the area themselves.

Jack then hopes to provide a new home for the pictures after the flats are demolished.

Jack's efforts have gone done well with the community after gaining support from Wolverhampton City Council, Arts Council England and National Trust.

Speaking to the Express & Star, Jack said: "I came to Heath Town a lot when I was studying photography at university and it's a great place.

Jack beside some of the pictures

"The people here are fantastic and this project I hope will bring something to the community that there's never been before. I've grown to love it here, its such a unique and incredible place.

"I just wanted to give something back and give the impression that everybody's life here is important and their happy memories can be stored in a place to show that. Their lives may not seem interesting to others but I'm sure other people will be.

"This is something that the people of Heath Town can really get involved in and something to work with.

"I hope it can become a hub which benefits the community and becomes a collaboration between a lot of people.

"There are hundreds and hundreds of families here and I don't want there memories to be lost."

For more information visit www.facebook.com/redevelopedandredefined.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.