AN exhibition of art and artefacts celebrating the life of Sir John Brunner, 100 years since his death, opens on Saturday.

Hosted by Northwich Library, the exhibition will showcase Sir John's contribution to the area and its promotion, with investment in education and infrastructure.

As part of Northwich River Festival and the wider Northwich Festival of Arts, Saturday July 13 will see the opening of a pop-up exhibition organised in partnership with Weaver Hall Museum – telling the story of Brunner Mond.

Sir John Brunner was an English industrialist, politician and local benefactor. The Brunner Mond factory was built at Winnington, and in time it became the largest producer of soda and alkaline chemicals in the world.

He then took an interest in politics, and was elected as the Liberal Member of Parliament for Northwich, holding the seat for more than 30 years.

The business had made him a rich man, and he was a generous benefactor – particularly in Northwich, Winsford and Widnes.

Weaver Hall Museum worked with youth programmers Emily Harrison and Smriti Sivakumar to curate the exhibition, which will also feature items on display from the museum’s collection.

During July, there will also be an exhibition of unique local history photographs on display, taken during the 1930s by photographer H. Emmett, a Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society and former Winnington resident.

The photographs feature local landmarks, including ICI, Rudheath and Wallerscote Works, with one particular image 'Light and Shade' shown in the 1934/35 Northern International Photographic Exhibit at Manchester City Art Gallery.

Emmett’s work also featured in the in-house ICI Magazine.

These photographs have been kindly loaned to the Library Service by Andrew Blears.

Council leader and portfolio holder for communities and wellbeing, Cllr Louise Gittins, said: “This fascinating exhibition will be free to view at Northwich Library from Saturday July 13.

"Sir John Brunner was a benefactor of the library building so it’s fitting that it is hosting an exhibition about his contribution to the local area.

“Don’t forget if you’re not currently a library member you can join for free, either online or at any Cheshire West library.”

cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk