Community projects to mark 200 years of Town Market
VARIOUS projects are being organised to mark the 200th anniversary of the Town Market building.
The oldest part – the former meat market, which now houses New Look – dates from 1822.
In January, an exhibition in the George Crossan Gallery in the Inner Street will chart the history of the building and feature many photographs. It will not only celebrate local architecture, but track how the buildings have changed over time, both inside and out, and act as a reminder of the various tenants the building has housed.
There will also be community projects aimed at the primary and secondary schools and Arch Art.
People are being invited to contribute photographs or artwork of the market buildings which could feature in the final exhibition.
‘So far we have had the chance to look through The Priaulx Library and Guernsey Press archives, which have both been a great resource for the curation of this exhibition, however there are some gaps,’ said Sonia Taylor, director of managing agents Bailiwick Estates Ltd.
‘We would love for people to share photographs from the German Occupation period, images of the bonded store, the period when the upper levels of the flower market were utilised as badminton halls and assembly rooms as well as images that capture some of the old pubs in the area such as the Welly Arms and Oscar’s Wine Bar.’
A competition will enable GCSE and A-level students to create artwork of what they think the market could look like in another 200 years. The deadline to submit the artwork is Friday 25 November.
Another initiative involves local primary schools, each of which have been asked to contribute one item to a time capsule which will be placed in the tunnels under the Market Building. Each school will nominate one or two students to place items into the time capsule in January, which it is hoped will be opened in 200 years’ time.
Ms Taylor said Arch Art would see the four arches in Market Street brought to life with fabulous images with a future, community, inclusive and sustainable theme.
‘We are partnering with Guernsey Arts on this project who say: “Public art projects of this type brings vibrancy and fun to an area and a sense of place and pride”,’ she said.
n Photographs and memories of the Market Buildings, as well as the secondary school artwork submissions can be sent to krista@black-vanilla.gg or dropped off at the Black Vanilla office in the Grange, St Peter Port.
