Skelmersdale: A New Town, by Glassball
In 1961, Skelmersdale was officially designated as a New Town, designed to house the population spillover from Liverpool and surrounding areas in Merseyside.
Glassball’s documentation of the town aims to act as an archive, which gives readers a sense of the town’s history through a non-chronological mix of photographs, interviews and film stills. Skem’s history is expressed through the experiences and memories of people who have lived and grown in the emerging town, offering a personal insight into the development and expansion of the town’s community.
Through an eclectic mix of images, readers can gain a perception of the town’s unique nature; seeming as a town springing from nowhere among Lancashire’s fields. The series creates a strong juxtaposition between the rural outskirts of Skem compared to its modern infrastructure, characterised by classic 1960’s architecture.
Glassball Art Projects occupied a shop unit within Skelmersdale, inviting residents to come and view a collection of images and videos showcasing the town’s history in order to provoke personal stories about their experiences living and working within the community. Some of these conversations are featured within this book, posing questions such as: How long does it take for a town to become a community? How many generations of families does it take for a community to emerge? To which the artist group aims to answer through this selection of written and visual information.
This publication is currently on sale in our independent bookshop for £20, perfect for anyone interested in local history or architecture.
By Faye Hamblett-Jones