Art project inspired by village's history to go on display

Stephanie Fry, from Billinge, was commissioned by the council to deliver a project based on lesser known aspects of the area's history.

One of the key sites Stephanie, 38, is researching is the location of the abandoned underground Cold War bunker on top of Billinge Hill.

It is not as widely known how important a role it played in during the 1960s, when a bunker nine feet deep was constructed and in use for seven years continuously as the threat of the Cold War loomed.

The bunker was part of the Royal Observation Corps network of more than 1,500 such observation posts throughout the UK - all below ground - which were all at various points of use from the 1950s to the 1990s.

It is believed that Billinge Hill had been used as an observation point and beacon for many centuries prior to its role within the Cold War.

The bunker site at Billinge Hill, with the concreted-over entrance sealed, to the right.

Meanwhile, the second site Stephanie is exploring as part of this project is the site of the old cinema on Main Street, which played a key role in the community from the 1920s to the 1960s.

Affectionately referred to as the 'Tin Can' it was a centre of social and cultural significance particularly during the Second World War when Pathe Newsreels and popular films of the era kept the population informed and entertained.

Stephanie says she has been able to glean some information about the building via anecdotes such as the fact that when it rained, people had to take their umbrellas into the Cinema with them, or when a cricket match was being played next door, the sound of the ball as it bounced onto the corrugated iron walls of the building.

However, she is still looking for more information about the site and any further memories, information or photographs.

Stephanie's research will culminate in a multi-media art installation at Billinge Library from March 12 until April 2.

The exhibition is entitled "Billinge: Threads of History".

The artwork will comprise a reconstructed bunker room, paintings, collages, photography relating to the ROC post and also the forgotten cinema, and an audio-visual element depicting the modern day landscape of Billinge Hill interwoven with footage from the Cold War era and anecdotes from members of the community.

Billinge-born Stephanie, who also spent some years growing up in North Wales before returning, said: "Coupled with a love of art, and maybe as a result of a slightly nomadic upbringing, I am fascinated by notions of place and what certain places mean to different people, and the themes of memory, time passing and storytelling are endless sources of inspiration for me.

"Throughout my life, Billinge has been the nearest thing I have had to a consistent home - this is where my grandfather, whom I was extremely close to, was born and bred, where my sister and I came to spend our holidays, where we would spend hours in the library happily preoccupied with felt tip pens and sheets of plain white paper, where we would enjoy long walks with him around Billinge Hill and beyond, whilst he would tell us stories and reminisce about days gone by.

"It was my granddad who I first remember mentioning about the cinema and how it used to keep him entertained as a child.

"Being given the opportunity to create an art project in relation to the local history of the area is something I value dearly, and the above memories mean this has extra personal significance for me."