8th – 17th December Kirkby Gallery
The Kirkby Centre, Norwich Way, Kirkby L32 8XY

Step back in time and discover the hiddenroots of Knowsley, right here, at Kirkby Gallery. Created as part of the Growing Knowsley’s Future project, this exhibition reveals how our borough once thrived through local farms, seasonal recipes, 
and family traditions.

Dig into a world of vintage maps and 
handwritten records, cherished photographs, and oral histories passed down through the generations. From preserving the archives of farming families, to celebrating heritage dishes and sharing Knowsley’s story through crafted reflections of where we live. This captivating new exhibition brings Knowsley’s past vividly into the present.

Whether you’re a history lover, a food 
enthusiast, or simply curious about the stories behind your community, Unearthed invites you reconnect with Knowsley’s past while imagining a tastier, more sustainable food future for Knowsley.

During 1940, 12 Kirkby farms were given short notice they had to leave due to the construction of the Royal Ordnance Factory. Mr. and Mrs. Henry Hesketh of Boundary Farm, are pictured here, they were heartbroken at the news.

Date: 1940.

Farmer’s wife feeds the pigs at an unidentified farm in Knowsley.

Date: c.1930s

Jack Heys (right) at work in a field on Kirkby Farm with an unidentified colleague together with their horse teams. The team on the right pulled the corn drill to sew the corn, followed by the team on the left pulling the harrow which covered the seed.

Date: unknown

Images courtesy of Knowsley Archives