MP is Inspired by India

The Inspired by India exhibition currently running in Macclesfield’s Silk Museum was visited recently by local MP David Rutley.

The exhibition, open until 8^th September, celebrates the longstanding creative relationship between India and the United Kingdom, and showcases the works of local Poynton artist Nikki Parmenter. The exhibition also explores the creative relationship between the Macclesfield Victorian businessman Thomas Wardle, who helped teach the Arts and Craft artist William Morris about natural dyes – both men’s work being ‘inspired by India’. The exhibition is funded through a £10,800 Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

As well as having the opportunity to view the impressive range of displays in the exhibition, David met with the Chairman and Director of Macclesfield Museums, Mr John Varney and Mrs Sue Hughes, to hear about their future work, and to congratulate them on recent funding successes. This includes the Silk Heritage Trust’s project to research, document and redisplay their Jacquard and block printing collection, supported by a £76,700 fund from the Esmée Fairbairn Collections Fund and Macclesfield Town Council. The funding will also further the Trust’s work to support learning programmes for young people, including digital coding and design.

Macclesfield Museums is also one of 20 organisations nationally to be accepted onto the two-year Boosting Resilience programme. Developed and delivered by the Centre for Creativity in Professional Practice, City University of London, the Culture Capital Exchange and Manchester Metropolitan University, and supported by Arts Council England, it will help local museums to develop new approaches to maximising their outreach and to ensure that they continue to grow and thrive.

Speaking after his meeting, David said, “It was great to view the Inspired by India exhibition – with the school holidays upon us, I would encourage people to visit this and everything else that local museums have to offer. I also enjoyed meeting John and Sue and hearing about how the new funding and programmes, including the Boosting Resilience initiative, will help to promote Macclesfield’s rich history, and provide opportunities for young people. They have some exciting projects planned, and I wish them every success for the future. My thanks go to all those who work at Macclesfield’s museums and heritage sites for what they do to preserve our town’s unique history.”