Harold Riley 1934-2023
Harold won a scholarship in 1951 to the Slade School of Fine Art, he then won a travel scholarship to Italy and a British Council Scholarship to Spain. He lived in Salford, Manchester for the rest of his life. A friend of L.S. Lowry. Awarded Honoury Doctorates by Universities of Salford, Manchester, London and Florence. Riley's commissioned painted portraits include Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Alexander of Yugoslavia, Princess Alice, Duchess of Gloucester, Pope John XIII, Pope Paul VI, Pope John Paul II, American Ambassador Elliot Richardson, United States Presidents John F Kennedy, Gerald Ford and last but not least Nelson Mandela.
He was also famous for his sporting paintings of golf and football, especially Manchester United with whom he played as a junior. The vast majority of his work remains in archive.
Manchester United have an extensive collection of his work. Salford City Council created an archive and Studio for him in a Conservation Area around the old Fiirestation at the Crescent, which allowed him to work. His drawings, paintings and photographs of the City are housed here as well as his extensive collection of sports studies. A Charitable Trust the Riley Educational Foundation was set up to look after his life's work. Salford City Council honored Harold in 2017 and made him a Freeman of the City. In 2016 he published a limited edition book which had taken him 6 years. It recorded the time he spent with Nelson Mandela. Some of the 23 drawings are reproduced. Money from the sale of the book went to the Riley Educational Foundation, to keep his work in Salford and promote Art in the North West including Salford Schools. His finished main painting of Nelson Mandela sold at Auction in New York and raised over USD1m for the children of South Africa.
He was also famous for his sporting paintings of golf and football, especially Manchester United with whom he played as a junior. The vast majority of his work remains in archive.
Manchester United have an extensive collection of his work. Salford City Council created an archive and Studio for him in a Conservation Area around the old Fiirestation at the Crescent, which allowed him to work. His drawings, paintings and photographs of the City are housed here as well as his extensive collection of sports studies. A Charitable Trust the Riley Educational Foundation was set up to look after his life's work. Salford City Council honored Harold in 2017 and made him a Freeman of the City. In 2016 he published a limited edition book which had taken him 6 years. It recorded the time he spent with Nelson Mandela. Some of the 23 drawings are reproduced. Money from the sale of the book went to the Riley Educational Foundation, to keep his work in Salford and promote Art in the North West including Salford Schools. His finished main painting of Nelson Mandela sold at Auction in New York and raised over USD1m for the children of South Africa.
Gordon and Jess Minton
Gordon Arthur Minton 13th March 1933 - 17th January 2023
Gordon Arthur Minton - March 13, 1933 - January 17, 2023 Jessie Mary Minton (nee Smith) - April 16, 1938 - December 20, 2020 Gordon was proud to call himself a born and bred Mancunian. Born in Stretford, he attended Manchester Grammar School for Boys before entering National Service with the RAF between 1951-53. After leaving, he returned to a job at Clibrans Plant Nursery in Ashley, Cheshire, where his lifelong passion for horticulture was born. There, in a tomato greenhouse one warm Summer afternoon, he met Jess and started a union that would last 67 years. After many years working in Manchester, including at Manchester University in the Department of Botany and as a textile, clothing, and children’s toy buyer, Gordon retired and devoted his time to gardening, travel, music, and another lifetime passion - art. He and Jess travelled widely, including many trips to the United States to visit their daughter and granddaughter. They were active supporters of the Hallé Orchestra, regularly attending rehearsals and concerts, and could frequently be found wandering the galleries at Manchester Art Gallery or the Whitworth. Gordon was also a long-standing and active member of Salford Art Club, acting as treasurer for many years, and in later years, as the club’s archivist. Jess would frequently join him to help make many, many pots of tea, gratefully received by the thirsty artists, and very much enjoyed the atmosphere of creativity and conversation. While not inclined to participate in painting herself, Jess was also interested in art and particularly enjoyed paper crafts. She made countless cards and decorations that she enjoyed sharing with her family. Born in Salford, she endured a difficult childhood marked by the bombing of her home and the loss of her father at a young age during WWII. A kind and conscientious person, she gained great pleasure from being a mother and grandmother and the opportunities to travel that she enjoyed throughout retirement. Gordon and Jess were a devoted couple whose love for each other was evident in their long marriage and shared interests. They are deeply missed by their daughter, Vivien, granddaughter, Scarlet, son-in-law, Matthew, Gordon’s sister, Judy, and their nephews, Ian and Paul
Ray Collier
Ray born 31 December 1931 in Salford and went to Saint Augustine’s school, leaving aged 13 soon to become an apprentice painter and decorator. Ray then spent 30 years working for Choride Batteries in Salford and Over Hulton before returning to decorating on a self-employed basis, retiring in 1997. Ray was married to Beryl for over 40 years before her passing in February 1998. Ray had an interest in art since childhood. Where once it was a useful distraction and a way to appreciate beauty and form, soon turned into his life-long passion. A member of Salford Art Club for over 50 years, Ray relentlessly tried to perfect his ‘art’ using various mediums and techniques influenced by Monet, Renoir and most importantly, LS Lowry and Harold Riley. The latter evident in his many of his ‘industrial Salford’ paintings. Ray held Salford Art Club very dear to his heart, enjoying many years of displaying his art and enjoyed meeting existing and new artists to share tips, opinions and advice.
Ray died 27 September 2020 of natural causes. Survived by his daughter Kathryn, his son David and David’s granddaughter, Robyn. Ray will be sadly missed and a great loss to the Salford Art community.
Ray died 27 September 2020 of natural causes. Survived by his daughter Kathryn, his son David and David’s granddaughter, Robyn. Ray will be sadly missed and a great loss to the Salford Art community.
Roy Carter
Roy was from Salford and battled the coronavirus at Salford Royal Hospital for a month before his death on April 15, 2020.
He was husband to Irene, father to Joanne, Beverley, Samantha, Helen, Andy and Anthony, as well as many grandchildren and even one great-grandchild.
The 79-year-old was a fanatical rugby fan who supported Salford Red Devils and took up refereeing the game. He was a touch judge at the 1991 Rugby league Cup final at Wembley and played a part in the founding of Langworthy Reds. He was often seen at the club wearing his rugby shirt and would talk about his love for the game.
A joiner since school, he kept active despite his age and worked at Jones DIY on Claremont Road until recently, and used this skill to make a scaling tool for members.
"He was loved by so many people who would come and say hello from afar. Whether it was from the rugby community or from his joinery business he couldn't go anywhere without someone wanting to spend time with him. Although not being a member for long he contributed to the club by helping to make drinks, with Irene, and always joined in activities.
"A real gentleman who was kind, loving and passionate to his family and friends and anyone who crossed his path"
He was husband to Irene, father to Joanne, Beverley, Samantha, Helen, Andy and Anthony, as well as many grandchildren and even one great-grandchild.
The 79-year-old was a fanatical rugby fan who supported Salford Red Devils and took up refereeing the game. He was a touch judge at the 1991 Rugby league Cup final at Wembley and played a part in the founding of Langworthy Reds. He was often seen at the club wearing his rugby shirt and would talk about his love for the game.
A joiner since school, he kept active despite his age and worked at Jones DIY on Claremont Road until recently, and used this skill to make a scaling tool for members.
"He was loved by so many people who would come and say hello from afar. Whether it was from the rugby community or from his joinery business he couldn't go anywhere without someone wanting to spend time with him. Although not being a member for long he contributed to the club by helping to make drinks, with Irene, and always joined in activities.
"A real gentleman who was kind, loving and passionate to his family and friends and anyone who crossed his path"
Robert Bindloss 1939-2019
In the seventies Robert Bindloss did the trendy thing and disappeared to India in search of inspiration. When he retired, he had the time to satisfy his wanderlust and this provided subjects for his paintings.
A former ceramic designer with Pilkingtons in St Helens, Robert made it clear with his show - Travels With My Paint Brush - at the Blyth Gallery, where his heart lay.
His pencil and charcoal drawings, watercolour paintings and acrylics on paper capture scenes of fishing boats in Madeira, cottages in Ireland, and glimpses of foreign ports gained from cruise boats on his explorations of the UK and Europe.
Everywhere he went he carried a pocket sketchbook, which he said he would be lost without.
Didsbury-based Robert was born in Lincolnshire but received his art training at Stockport college and Manchester College of Art.
Since his retirement he carried out several commissions including ones for London's Grosvenor Victoria Hotel and the Connemara Bus Company.
He exhibited at Monks Hall Museum, the Lancastrian Hall and Swinton Library.
A former ceramic designer with Pilkingtons in St Helens, Robert made it clear with his show - Travels With My Paint Brush - at the Blyth Gallery, where his heart lay.
His pencil and charcoal drawings, watercolour paintings and acrylics on paper capture scenes of fishing boats in Madeira, cottages in Ireland, and glimpses of foreign ports gained from cruise boats on his explorations of the UK and Europe.
Everywhere he went he carried a pocket sketchbook, which he said he would be lost without.
Didsbury-based Robert was born in Lincolnshire but received his art training at Stockport college and Manchester College of Art.
Since his retirement he carried out several commissions including ones for London's Grosvenor Victoria Hotel and the Connemara Bus Company.
He exhibited at Monks Hall Museum, the Lancastrian Hall and Swinton Library.
Pam Kirk
A MANCHESTER woman, who taught elocution to hundreds of children and adults, died on Sunday after a short illness. Pam Kirk, 80, began work as a speech teacher in the 1960s, from her Broughton Park home. “Mum lived life to the full and was always busy and active,” daughter Lorraine Kirk said. “She was also positive, strong-minded, practical and determined.“People all over Manchester knew my sisters and I as ‘Pam Kirk’s daughters’.
“So many people from all different parts of her life have been to the shiva.”
Pam (nee Stone) was raised in Blackley. She met husband Louis Kirk at a party and the couple were married in 1958 at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation.
They settled in Broughton Park, where Mrs Kirk lived until her death, and they have three children, Lorraine, Beverley and Michelle.Louis died in 2006.
“Pupils would come to mum as they went through exams and she also taught public speaking and debating skills at a number of adult education colleges,” Lorraine explained.
A member of the Manchester Reform Synagogue (Jackson’s Row), Pam was also a keen painter and artist.
She won local prizes for her work and was a committee member at Salford Arts Club, where she also served as members’ secretary, treasurer and events organiser.
The club is organising a tribute to her at its exhibition in October.
Pam was involved with national organisation University of the Third Age and ran its poetry group in the area, and was also a member of its local current affairs group. It, too, is planning a tribute to her.
“So many people from all different parts of her life have been to the shiva.”
Pam (nee Stone) was raised in Blackley. She met husband Louis Kirk at a party and the couple were married in 1958 at the Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation.
They settled in Broughton Park, where Mrs Kirk lived until her death, and they have three children, Lorraine, Beverley and Michelle.Louis died in 2006.
“Pupils would come to mum as they went through exams and she also taught public speaking and debating skills at a number of adult education colleges,” Lorraine explained.
A member of the Manchester Reform Synagogue (Jackson’s Row), Pam was also a keen painter and artist.
She won local prizes for her work and was a committee member at Salford Arts Club, where she also served as members’ secretary, treasurer and events organiser.
The club is organising a tribute to her at its exhibition in October.
Pam was involved with national organisation University of the Third Age and ran its poetry group in the area, and was also a member of its local current affairs group. It, too, is planning a tribute to her.
Mary Irene Wallbank
Mary Irene Walbank was an active member of your club from the early 70.s until approx. 2012 and for many years was the club secretary. She was best friends with many members such as ray collier, Brian Eddlestone, Ray Mewha, Robert Bindloss, Ted Finlay, John Dumville and Sheila Gerard. It is with sadness that I have to inform you that she passed away on 14th January 2018