TULLIE has had the pleasure of welcoming Carlisle United owners to their new Backing the Blues exhibition.
Guided on the tour by the club's supporter liaison officer, Simon Clarkson, Patty and Tom Piatak alongside the whole family, got a chance to get up close to a compilation of memorabilia and photographs that help document 120 years of Blues history.
During their visit, the Piatak family engaged with the Carlisle United Collective, made up of volunteers who helped curate the exhibition.
Among the many nostalgic touches in the exhibition, the family was particularly thrilled to see a piece of turf from the 1974/75 season.
This had been gifted to Patty by a devoted fan, and she had been unsure of where to place it for maximum effect.
It was thus decided that the perfect venue for it would be the museum where all could appreciate it.
The family also made their mark by signing a special edition of 'Carlisle United The Complete Record'.
Sarah McGlynn, exhibitions manager at Tullie, said: "It was a pleasure to welcome the Piataks back to Tullie last week, their enthusiasm about the club and its history is wonderful to see.
“The story of Carlisle United has a special place in people's hearts and like all our visitors, the Piataks enjoyed finding many gems of information during their visit,” she said.
The exhibition, which opened on July 20, runs until November 10.
It boasts not just memorabilia like the boots of Jimmy Glass but also a vast collection of unseen photographs from The Cumberland News, interactive pieces, a CUFC-themed wedding dress, a Blues-inspired sculpture, and much more.
As the rest of the museum is still undergoing redevelopment, the exhibition's entry will only be via the Annetwell Street entrance – directly opposite Carlisle Castle.
Exhibition day tickets are available for £7, or you can purchase an annual ticket for £15 which will also give unlimited access to the rest of the museum when it reopens. Under-18s go free.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here