BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Williamson Art Gallery - ECPv6.17.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Williamson Art Gallery
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:UTC
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:UTC
DTSTART:20250101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:UTC
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:UTC
DTSTART:20250101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260814T183000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260814T203000
DTSTAMP:20260720T140434Z
CREATED:20250430T082221Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260720T140434Z
UID:10000305-1786732200-1786739400@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Books and Banter
DESCRIPTION:Love books? Love talking about books? Love Books & Banter!\nBooks and Banter is an opportunity to talk about books guided by theme\, with no specific book set to read. Discussions around the subject are facilitated but not restricted\, and tangents are welcome. \nThe theme for August is Ancient Classics – then & now. \nFree to all – no need to book\, just come along! \n  \nTake a look at the list from July’s session  \n  \nThe Williamson Café will be open and serving refreshments\, including alcohol. \n 
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/books-and-banter-theme-eastern-europe/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/books-1204029_1280.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260817T123000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260817T133000
DTSTAMP:20260721T125827Z
CREATED:20260714T104111Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260721T125827Z
UID:10000373-1786969800-1786973400@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Children's Story Time
DESCRIPTION:A NEW Community Monday summer reading group is starting at the Williamson with local children’s author Alicia Steens and Benny! \n  \nJoin Alicia for a magical Benny & Friends family experience. \nChildren can: \n\nMeet Benny\, the cuddly storybook bunny\, and take photos with him.\nTake a photo with Benny.\nHelp Benny find his lost picnic basket.\nEnjoy colouring activities.\nListen to a reading from Benny and the Lost Picnic Basket.\n\nCome along to discover the magical world of Benny & Friends and enjoy a fun\, interactive experience for young children and their families. \nFor children aged 3-7 years old \nClick the link to join the Benny & Friends Club and receive free colouring pages\, updates on new books\, family activities and future events. \n  \nBecome friends with Benny  \n  \nCommunity Monday Noticeboard \n  \n 
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/childrens-story-time/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/Benny-Main.jpeg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260904T183000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260904T203000
DTSTAMP:20260723T094711Z
CREATED:20250923T105919Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260723T094711Z
UID:10000326-1788546600-1788553800@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Live Music From E'n'B & Friends
DESCRIPTION:Two acts in one evening bringing fantastic live music to the Williamson for a Friday night! \n“EnB” are a duo who play ukelele\, guitar\, bass and drums to sing along to; they enjoy all types of music\, only performing songs they enjoy singing. Performing an eclectic mix of songs from the likes of The Houghton Weavers to The Killers\, via John Prine and Cat Stevens. \nThey are returning for another performance with their “Friend” the accomplished singer\, songwriter\, Mark Miller.  \nHe is a talented local musician whose deft guitar playing is always a joy to listen to. A singer-songwriter\, Mark will be performing some of his own songs along with a set of covers. He should not be missed! \n \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \n  \nDuring the concert E’n’B will be raising money for the charity Alzheimers UK and hope the audience enjoy supporting the charity while listening to some fantastic music. \nFREE ENTRY \nThe Williamson Café will be serving drinks (including alcohol) and snacks.
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/enb-and-friends/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/BP-EnB.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20260925T183000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20260925T203000
DTSTAMP:20260710T154901Z
CREATED:20251006T094614Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260710T154901Z
UID:10000329-1790361000-1790368200@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:Kaboodle Choir & Kab'Ukes
DESCRIPTION:Kaboodle Community Choir were formed in 2007. Their performances at the gallery are always entertaining\, and they’ll be performing a broad range of popular songs. \nThey are supported by Kab’Ukes\, a small band of Ukelele players\, who are all members of the choir. They’ll be performing their own fun and energetic set in the middle of the show. \n  \nFollow Kaboodle Choir here \n  \nFriday 25th September \nFREE \nThe Williamson Cafe will be open for refreshments.
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/kaboodle-choir-and-kabukes/
LOCATION:Williamson Art Gallery\, Slatey Rd\, Oxton\, Birkenhead\, Merseyside\, CH43 4UE\, United Kingdom
CATEGORIES:Events
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/kaboodle1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Williamson Art Gallery":MAILTO:arts@williamsonartgallery.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=UTC:20261204T100000
DTEND;TZID=UTC:20261204T170000
DTSTAMP:20260629T145931Z
CREATED:20260326T110011Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260629T145931Z
UID:10000351-1796378400-1796403600@williamsonartgallery.org
SUMMARY:You Gotta Get a Gimmick: The Paul O’Grady Story
DESCRIPTION:“This free exhibition will be Paul’s gift to his hometown” \nA major exhibition delving into the private archive of Paul O’Grady\, revealing his life in front of and behind the cameras will open in his hometown of Birkenhead at the end of this year. You Gotta Get A Gimmick – The Paul O’Grady Story will be a free exhibition at Williamson Art Gallery and will open on 4 December 2026.  \n  \nThe exhibition\, featuring a wider community and participation programme\, will give a first glimpse into the extensive archive of Paul\, contextualising him as an LGBTQIA+ icon\, an award-winning broadcaster\, passionate activist and someone who gave a voice to the voiceless\, particularly those with four paws. From Tranmere to the Royal Vauxhall Tavern\, the “blonde bombsite of Birkenhead” to Battersea Dog’s Home\, the exhibition will present Paul O’Grady is one of Britain’s most cherished\, and significant cultural figures.  \nBirkenhead is at the heart of Paul O’Grady’s story\, whether it is the acid tongue of Lily Savage\, the humour and activism of Paul as a presenter and entertainer\, the determination to stand up for a cause and the working-class identity at his core. Premiering the exhibition in the town has been the central ambition of the curatorial team\, and The Paul O’Grady Estate with a commitment to keeping access free. \n  \nEarly Years \nPaul James O’Grady was born to Molly and Paddy on 14 June 1955 in Birkenhead and was brought up in a close-knit Irish Catholic household in Tranmere. The youngest of three children\, he first attended St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School in Prenton and then St. Anselm’s College in Birkenhead\, which was founded by the Christian Brothers.  After leaving school Paul worked in a variety of jobs including being a clerk in the Magistrates Courts and a care worker in a Children’s Convalescent Home in West Kirby. \n  \nCrossover into mainstream \nSet against the turbulent social and political landscape of 1980s Britain\, the exhibition charts the rise of Lily Savage within the context of Section 28 and widespread homophobia. Lily Savage emerged as a defiant response to the era’s unrest\, channelling working-class resilience into high-glamour\, razor-sharp satire. \nAs we mark the 60th anniversary of the 1967 Sexual Offences Act\, the exhibition places Paul O’Grady at the vanguard of LGBTQIA+ visibility. It maps the moment queer culture crossed over from the pub and club underground into the collective heart of the British public\, forever altering the national cultural fabric.  \nLily’s television career included hosting “The Lily Savage Show” (BBC); “Lily Live” (ITV); and “Lily Savage’s Blankety Blank”. After resting Lily\, Paul O’Grady’s career flourished in many directions from the BAFTA award-winning “The Paul O’Grady Show”\, “Paul O’Grady: For the Love of Dogs” and “Paul O’Grady’s Little Heroes” to name but a few. He also had a definitive decade-long residency on BBC Radio 2\, making him one of the most significant cultural figures of his generation. \nHe has written four volumes of his autobiography and in 2017 “Paul O’Grady’s Country Life” was published.  Paul’s children’s books about Eddie Albert focus on a boy who lives with his dad after his mum has died and who finds he has the ability to talk to animals.  They are his friends and they have adventures together which include rescuing a baby orangutan from a cruel owner.  Paul wanted his books to encourage children to be kind to animals as well as wanting to support children who are bullied in school or who feel they don’t fit in. \nDespite all his success which undoubtedly changed his life he remained passionate about speaking out when he considered people were being treated unjustly and in his TV series about the Working Class and “The Sally Army and Me” he wanted to highlight the day to day struggles of ordinary people and show the hard work that goes on often unnoticed by the powers that be. \n  \nThe Archive: Craft\, Costume\, and Character \nFor the first time\, the public is invited to engage with the meticulous craft behind the persona. The exhibition brings together a unique selection of items from Paul O’Grady’s archive: \n\nIconic Wardrobe: Original Lily Savage and pantomime costumes that defined an era of British drag.\nMedia: Rare footage\, scripts\, photography\, and oral histories documenting LGBTQIA+ activism and working-class life and entertainment.\nPrivate World: An intimate look at Paul’s personal eclectic collection of objects\, figurines\, and puppets\, revealing the influences that shaped his creative psyche.\n\n  \nA Living Heritage \nThanks to The National Lottery Heritage Fund\, this exhibition will spread from behind the gallery walls to document Paul’s legacy and the lived experience of his peers and community. Through a series of oral history sessions\, the exhibition documents the lived experiences of the local LGBTQIA+ community\, ensuring Paul O’Grady’s legacy is intertwined with the heritage of the Northwest and the Royal Vauxhall Tavern. The exhibition will be accompanied by a year-long public programme of Talking Heads\, music\, performance and cabaret to inspire and platform the next generation of queer talent alongside reading clubs of Paul O’Grady children’s books in libraries across the Wirral. good causes by National Lottery players to make a decisive difference for people\, places and communities. \nWith thanks to National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England
URL:https://williamsonartgallery.org/event/paul-ogrady/
LOCATION:Merseyside
CATEGORIES:Exhibitions,Slide 4
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://williamsonartgallery.org/wp-content/uploads/Website-announcement-square_1.png
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR