Oldham PS members have prints currently showing in the “Made in Oldham” Exhibition at Gallery Oldham which runs from 17th May to 25th October. Our brief was to photograph fish and chips shops. Why? ….because Oldham claims to be the birthplace of one of our most familiar traditional dishes! So, did the fast food industry really start here?
The story goes that potato chips were first fried on Tommyfield Market, Oldham around 1860 (just before Oldham Photo. Soc. was formed!). Before long, fried fish was added to the menu and thus began one of our favourite national dishes! However, there is a second claim locally that a man from nearby Mossley visited Tommyfield, where he found chips being fried and promptly went back home and started a fish and chip shop in Mossley. Whichever is true (or not!), we are pleased to be involved yet again in the town’s major exhibition space.
A few of the chosen pictures are featured below.
The first is Delph Fish and Chip Shop by John Widdall
then Jack Spratt’s by Charles Madders
and “Frydays” (how big are your fish?) by myself
Please visit the gallery and see our work alongside work from much more famous Oldhamers!
Chris