Bradford's award-winning Colour Museum has its origins in the textile industry. Set up by the Society of Dyers and Colourists it focuses on the way colour is used in the world and how it impacts upon our lives. But colour can be found in the most surprising of places and a visit to Holmfirth by the museum's curator, Graham Alcock, has resulted in a new exhibition, 'Colourful Characters, Colourful County.' The 'colourful county' is none other than our own West Yorkshire and the 'characters' are all those familiar faces from the world's longest-running comedy series, Last Of The Summer Wine.  | | Compo (the later Bill Owen) in his clobber |
Photographs and props are on display and you can try your hand at identifying some of the more than colourful characters and well-known actors who have at one time or another appeared in the series over the last 33 years! While you don't get a ride on it, you can certainly have a good look at Marina's bicycle, so often used for her clandestine meetings with Howard. Those of you who remember the Swan Man of Ilkley episode can take a look at the swan although not quite in the flesh! But, for most visitors, the most poignant part of the exhibition must be the glass case entitled 'Bill Owen MBE 1914-1999.' On display are Compo's Clobber from Series 21, the clothes worn by the actor in the final appearance he made before his death. But, essentially as the captions show, the whole exhibition is meant to be a bit of fun.  | | "The swan of Ilkley" |
On Monday September 12th the Colour Museum was packed out when the "prolific" writer, Roy Clarke, the "indefatigable" producer, Alan J.W. Bell and several of the stars attended the official opening of the exhibition. It is no wonder that Peter Sallis (Clegg), who has appeared in all 280 episodes, and Frank Thornton (Truly) could be spotted wearing their MCC ties on the day England won the Ashes! Many actors make their name in a television series and then perhaps move on to other things. Not so with Last Of The Summer Wine! Actors like the late Dame Thora Hird came to the series with long and successful careers behind them. Bert Kwouk, who must have been in more films than most of us have had hot dinners, also made the journey to Bradford - he joined the programme for just a few episodes and has stayed for a few years.  | | Summer Wine Country! And it's all here in West Yorkshire |
It comes as no surprise that the series has even given rise to Summer Wine Appreciation Society. There was much talk, as people went round the exhibition, about the locations shown in the photos - a reminder that the countryside around Holmfirth is also a star of the show. This was my first visit to The Colour Museum and it came as an incredible surprise! Also on show at the moment is the Society's 2005 Colour in Design Competition, an opportunity to take a sneak look at eight very wearable outfits but I will certainly be returning to have a better look at the permanent exhibition! Chris Verguson Colourful Characters, Colourful Country is on show at the Colour Museum in Bradford until Christmas. | 
