MGM 2006 - TOPPERS FOR COPPERS AT HATWORKS STOCKPORT
By 24 Hour Museum Staff
05/05/2006
Stockport Borough Police 1890 wearing their helmet with spike. Courtesy Hatworks/Greater Manchester Police Museum
A new exhibition entitled Toppers for Coppers, dedicated to the fascinating world of law enforcement and its functional fashion, runs at Hat Works in Stockport until July 21 2006.
The collaborative venture between Greater Manchester Police Museum and the Hat Works allows visitors to find out how and why police helmets are made and to learn about historic police hats and head gear from around the world.
The exhibition also features personal stories from police officers together with fun activities for visitors.
Manchester 'Peelers' in 1840 wearing the Peelers Hat. Courtesy Hatworks/Greater Manchester Police Museum
Every police force wears a slightly different uniform, and has pride in its individuality. Toppers for Coppers shows how police forces are made visible and how police hats form such an important part of police identity.
"We are delighted to have been able to work so closely with the Greater Manchester Police Museum to put together this exciting exhibition,” said Stockport Council's Access Officer, Helen Castle.
“This is a particularly appropriate exhibition for Stockport's Hat Works as the town was once the biggest hat producer in the world and at one time all UK police hats were made here. I would encourage people to come along and enjoy the display."
One of the highlights of the exhibition is a beige Stetson style hat, which forms part of the New York State Police uniform.
Courtesy Hatworks/Greater Manchester Police Museum
The hat was generously donated to the museum in 2005 by Stockport's Chief Superintendent Neil Wain, who was presented with the hat by the New York State Police Department, as a 'thank you' for his assistance at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the terrorist attack on September 11th.
The exhibition will be accompanied by a series of workshops and talks for people interested in how the exhibition was curated.
Helen Castle will be giving an informative talk on the subject including a guided visit around the exhibition on Thursday May 11 at 7.00pm. For details of this and other events see the museum details below or contact Hat Works on 0845 833 0975.
Hat Works - The Museum of Hatting, Wellington Mill, Wellington Road South, Stockport, SK3 0EU, Cheshire, England
T: 0845 833 0975
Open: Open: Mon-Fri 10.00-17.00, Sat-Sun and bank holidays 1.00-17.00
57a Newton Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M1 1ET, Greater Manchester, England
T: 0161 856 3287
Open: General open day, every Tuesday (excluding Christmas period) 10:30 - 3:30 (last admission at 3pm)
Other weekdays for educational and group bookings (by appointment only, groups must be between 5-20/25 in number)
Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for archive research (by appointment only)
Closed: Weekends and public holidays
