Messages and pictures showing how grateful people were for public service workers during the first coronavirus lockdown has been put together in an art exhibition.

A collection of 30 pictures and notes to the council’s waste disposal staff, drawn and written by residents and left on their bins during the 2020 lockdown, will feature at Bury Art Museum.

The artwork was donated by binman Paul Lindsey who, along with his wagon colleagues Mick Wilkinson and Dave Edwards, were touched by the expressions of thanks that Bury residents showed them during this difficult time.

There will be an exhibition in the summer but the collection can also be viewed by appointment.

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Donna Ball, executive director of operations at the council, said: “Our frontline operational staff are out in all weathers at all times- gritting our roads, emptying our bins, digging our graves, cleaning our streets.

“The list is endless, and they are often overlooked in the public service arena for messages of thanks.

“I was utterly delighted during the pandemic to see so many of our residents placing signs out on their bins for our bin men who kept going each day under social distancing conditions.

“I thank all the frontline staff at Bury Council for their efforts both now and then.”

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These notes are forming part of a wider collection that the gallery is developing to tell the story of the pandemic in Bury.

Some of the artefacts include:

• Items relating to the Bury, Rochdale and Oldham Scrubs Hub, which tells the story of women in the community coming together to make scrubs for nurses and health care workers at the beginning of the pandemic.

• Three dolls made by a lady from Prestwich as her way to keep busy and see her through.

• A butterfly picture by a five-year-old girl called Imogen, which she put up in her window to thank NHS staff.

• Government-related literature that was posted through people’s doors, along with testing kits and masks.

The gallery also includes a contemporary artwork print called "Key Workers Print" by Craig Oldham.

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Cllr Charlotte Morris, cabinet member for culture and the economy at the council, added: “Covid was immensely challenging but also brought out the best of people.

“It’s fantastic that these items have been collected in our archive for future generations to see and learn from.”

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