The idea and initial image for ‘Charley’ came from Heckford Advertising in Preston, during their first pitch / presentation in 2012 for the contract for the Experience exhibition in Astley Hall.
The first drawings in January 2013 showed him in different uniforms and he was just called Charley; this was narrowed down to a First World War soldier.
The next drawing had him with a moustache, making him very much like an Officer. However, Trustees decided to give him a wider appeal by calling him “Charley Pal” after the soldiers who formed the Chorley Pals in 1914; the moustache was “shaved off” and he became more of a Private soldier.
He is being introduced as the project’s mascot, aimed at engaging all age groups but obviously the younger audience.
He will eventually be used on the education side of the project but we are already looking at having his image on advertising and merchandise.
From mid-June, the Charley Pal image will be seen around the Astley Hall site and in particular in and outside the Coach House, giving some great photo-opportunities.
Once in the new exhibition, he will invite younger visitors to ask staff in the reception area for an activity sheet (a quiz as they go around the exhibition) or they can ask for the loan of a steel helmet (plastic actually), a mine detector, a gas mask or even a camouflage combat jacket to wear as they go around the exhibition and into the World War one trench area.
We want to see what reaction visitors have to Charley Pal, not only in the exhibition but on our websites – he may even get his own page. We obviously welcome your comments.
