‘At the height of the inferno, around 75 firefighters tackled the blaze.’ ~ Manchester Evening News, 7 Aug 2019

What happens to collective memory, history and place when a devastating fire blazes through the heart of a community building rendering everything to ashes? How does one find strength to carry on when all that is familiar vanishes? Join award-winning artist & curator Hafsah Aneela Bashir for two short film screenings and the launch of her exhibition exploring the joys of connection and the impact of loss through the lens of the Oxford Mill 2019 fire in Ashton Under Lyne.

Through film and archive, Hafsah explores the histories of Thomas Mason an English textile manufacturer who built the historic mill in 1851 and Bashir Ahmed, a Pakistani textile manufacturer who operated from Oxford Mills until the 2019 fire – 168 years apart. How does a community honour the stories that make up people and place?
What happens when treasured possessions, secure environments, and a sense of self turn to ashes? What does rebuilding look like when the physical impact on the community is staggering, and the emotional aftermath, deeply felt?

The is a free event with refreshments provided free of charge. Book your tickets through Ticket Tailor as spaces are limited.