Photo: Shop owners John and Jill Howarth with shop director Andrew Howarth
Manchester newsagent Booth & Howarth on Mauldeth Road was aptly chosen as the curtain-raiser for The National Lottery’s 25th celebrations today. World-renowned artist, David Mach RA, unveiled his new artwork ‘United By Numbers: The National Lottery at 25’ at the Londis store to celebrate the impact of The National Lottery over 25 years.
Unveiled to mark the beginning of an incredible six weeks of 25th celebrations, the artwork will be exhibited for the day in the window of the store – which is owned by John and Jill Howarth, with Andrew Howarth as the shop director. Booth & Howarth was one of the very first Camelot retail partners to be selected when The National Lottery began in 1994.
Newsagents and local shops play a fundamental part in The National Lottery, as the places that players purchase their tickets and collect the majority of their prizes. By unveiling the artwork in Booth & Howarth, The National Lottery is saying thank you to the shopkeepers and community faces who make it all possible.
The artwork features a mix of famous and lesser-known national treasures including people, places, projects and icons that have been part of extraordinary things which have been made possible by The National Lottery. These include Idris Elba, Governor for The National Lottery-funded British Film Institute; Rio Ferdinand; Paralympian gold medallist Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson; and projects such as The Kelpies, Jodrell Bank, The Principality Stadium and Giant’s Causeway.
Store director, Andrew, said: “It was exciting to be part of the start of The National Lottery’s 25th birthday celebrations. I’ve never done anything like this before and it was quite nerve-racking, but overall an incredible experience. As one of the very first retailers to be chosen in 1994, I’m grateful to have been given such a great opportunity 25 years later.
“That The National Lottery has raised over £40 billion for Good Causes over the last 25 years is excellent, and it’s great to see all the incredible projects it’s supported. Having Victoria Pendleton here today showed exactly what kinds of things have been achieved with the funding – she has achieved so much and is an amazing sportswoman. It was a pleasure to meet her: she’s lovely and down to earth and a true credit to The National Lottery and Good Causes.”
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