Billinge Art Club has its origins in the early eighties (last century that is) when a small group of amateur artists enlisted the use of the old St Aidens School Buildings on Billinge High Street to use as a meeting place.  A chairman was elected, as was a treasurer, David Hoggets and Sid Parker respectively, and Friday night was set as the venue. 

The first Exhibition was held in 1982 at the St Aidens old school, which was officially opened by Richard Lewis author of the best selling novel The Billingers. The legendary painter Theodore Major was also invited to the Exhibition, but had to decline due to illness having recently suffered a stroke.  The Exhibition was a huge success; it was also the first exhibition that I attended. All exhibitions since then have been held at the Methodist Hall Billinge, with the exception of one, which was held at the Methodist Hall on the corner of Upholland rd and Crank rd. 

Many members have come and gone over the years, but there are some members here today that have been coming since the very beginnings of the Club. You may recognise their names: Audry Wright, Marie Hamilton, and Jean Burdass. Other founder members who have retired from the Club are David Hoggetts, Sid Parker, Albert Harrison, Ted Collins, Burt Wolf and Derek Alker. Many other members have spent happy hours there over the years but are too numerous to mention. 

Five years ago after a suggestion from Audry Wright a second venue was organised on Thursday afternoons at the Methodist Hall at Upholland rd. We started with just four members John Unsworth, Audry Wright, Jean Night and myself. Soon followed by Jean Fisher, John Dobie and Jack Dulson. Slowly but surely the numbers crept up owing to successful exhibitions, and now the Club boasts some seventy or so members between the two venues. 

The photograph bellow was taken at the opening of the first Exhibition in 1982, and shows founder members David Hoggets and Audry Wright with guest’s artist Maureen Gulley, Dennis Lyons ‘The Vicar of St Aidens’ and Richard Lewis ‘Author of The Billingers’. Artist Theodore Majors was also invited but could not attend due to ill health.