Arts & Culture

Celebrating creativity, capturing stories.

From grassroots music and theatre to local artists, independent venues and creative communities, explore the people, performances and places shaping our cultural landscape.

Through features, reviews and photography, Common Threads shines a light on local creativity and the stories behind it.

  • Creating deep and lasting impressions: The Turnpike Gallery’s Chance Encounter Exhibition

    ‘Chance Encounter Banner’ by The Turnpike Gallery. On April 20th, I had the pleasure of attending the Turnpike Gallery’s launch of their latest exhibition, “Chance Encounter.” This captivating exhibition features the works of two distinguished artists, Jeanette Orrell and Leonard Green, both hailing from Leigh and boasting impressive international careers. The showcase was lively upon…

  • Good Ol’ country: Noel Fraser and Kyle Edge live at St George’s Church, Tyldesley

    British music critics have long maintained a love-hate relationship with country music, much like Marmite. Consider timeless country artists such as Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline legends who have captivated people with their music. With its stripped instrumentation and heavy narrative, country is a genre grounded in everyday life, telling stories that resonate. However, country is coming…

  • A Sense of Deja Vu: Early Doors Club at The Snug

    Within the last week, the significance of grassroots venues within the music industry has once again been brought to people’s attention. A controversy occurred when Gary Roden ex-CEO of CO-OP Live resigned following his ignorant remarks on grassroots venues. Gary  commented on how smaller venues are poorly ran ignited fury among music lovers, and rightfully so. Mr Roden’s comments highlight bigger venues’ reluctance to…

  • A Cultural Marriage: Wine and Cheese Tasting by Angers Twinning Association

    Last week marked the third celebration of the beloved annual partnership between the Wigan Borough and Angers, a city in France. French Week spanning across many venues in Wigan, Hindley and Leigh allows local people to immerse themselves in French culture whilst strengthening the ties between both towns. Throughout the week there are a range…

  • Mindful Art: Sip and Splatter Workshop by The Happy Place CIC

    I have always fancied attending a workshop that is focused on nurturing creativity as well as mindfulness and with a focus on being present in the moment. In the craziness of everyday life, a moment of self-reflection seems like a luxury. So, when I stumbled across the advertisement on Facebook for the Sip and Splatter…

  • Falling in Love Again: Upcycle, Reuse and Replenish Fashion Show at The Turnpike Gallery

    On Thursday 14th March I had the honour of attending the Upcycle, Reuse and Replenish Fashion Show at The Turnpike Gallery. Artists Julie McKiernan and Corrie Shelley who are part of the Creating Place II exhibition, undertook a project with adult care providers within the borough and collaborated with local business Love Me Again to…

  • Bringing Contemporary Art to Our Doorstep: Seeing Things Exhibition, The Edge, Wigan

    On Friday I got the chance to go see the Seeing Things Exhibition based at the Edge in Wigan. The exhibition curated by Matthew Wood aims to attract new audiences in a space open and accessible to all. Featuring the work of nine North West-based artists Anna FC Smith, Ula Fung, Dustin Lyon, Klaire Doyle,…

  • Highlighting Local Stories: Experiences of Creating Place II Exhibition at the Turnpike Gallery

    Volunteering at The Turnpike Gallery exposes me to a range of exhibitions throughout the year the gallery showcases. However, this exhibition impacted me differently as it allowed me to feel pride in my local area and discover untold stories. Following on from a community project last summer Creating Place II displays four new exhibits from…