Background 
The paths of Russel (1927 – 2020) and Saddleworth Museum appear to have been linked throughout his life, from the days when Russel began painting in 1950 after completing an engineering apprenticeship. Depicted here is a self-portrait, c 1955, which was displayed at Russel’s exhibition, “Saddleworth in a Lifetime”, which was held in the museum during 2017. It appears fitting that the collection should find its’ new home at the museum before it is directed to the purpose that Russel intended.
Russel joined the Saddleworth Art Group in 1951 and taught pottery at part-time evening classes from 1962 and emerged as a renowned and respected local artist, with a 70-year commitment of unwavering effort to draw and paint the Saddleworth area. Russel was also recognised nationally, having exhibited at the Royal Society of British Artists, Mall Galleries, London.
Following the death of Russel in 2020 the trustees of the museum were asked by the Russel Howarth executors to act as the Russel Howarth Trustees for that part of the estate primarily dedicated by Russel to support and encourage artists and ceramicists. The Trustees will continue to honour to Russel’s bequest and direct income generated from the trust to that end.
Please see below some images from the art store refurbishment (environmentally controlled, safe and secure) required to house the collection.
Make an appointment to view items in the Russel Howarth Collection.
The Trustees now invite individuals, collectors and gallery houses to make an appointment with the curator (curator@saddleworthmuseum.co.uk) to view this collection in store. Appointments can also be made by telephoning (or calling in to reception) between 1 and 4 pm. All reasonable offers, for single, or multiple works, will be considered.
All works offered for sale are signed originals and are as presented (framed/unframed) by the artist.
The Russel Howarth Trustees Collection – online.
A selection of especially important works are available online 24/7 . These can be secured immediately by online payment. Our art online team will then contact you to arrange a collection day and time to suit you.
All works offered for sale are signed originals and are as presented (framed/unframed) by the artist.
The Russel Howarth Trustees Collection-exhibitions
Occasionally the trustees arranges a gallery exhibition. A selection of works were first exhibited in public, and offered for sale, at the museum during the spring of 2021.
Please see below some images from the exhibition.
Examples of Russel’s works, by location, are listed below (N.B. some may well have already been sold)
Some of Russel’s views around Castleshaw in the collection. Please visit to see more.
Houses, Broadhead Noddle
Catalogue no. 00327
Some of Russel’s views around Daisy Nook in the collection. Please visit to see more.
Pool, Medlock Vale, Daisy Nook
cat.no.05746
Some of Russel’s views around Delph in the collection. Please visit to see more.
“Delph Village”
Catalogue no. 00434
Shops, King Street, Delph
Catalogue no. 00335
New Delph
Catalogue no. 00326
Some of Russel’s views around Diggle in the collection. Please visit to see more.
“Ambroses, Diggle”
Catalogue no. 00430
“Untitled “– Canal, Diggle
Catalogue no. 00421
“Bleakhey Nook”
Catalogue no. 00407
Bleak Hey Nook, Diggle
Catalogue no. 00338
Old Victoria, Diggle
Catalogue no. 00330
Thurstones, Ridge Lane, Diggle
Catalogue no. 00320
Watermans Cottage, Diggle
Catalogue no. 00318
Watermans Cottage, Diggle
Catalogue no 02657
Fairbanks, Diggle
Catalogue no 02663
Runninghill Diggle
Catalogue no 02665 labelled
Diggle View
Catalogue no 02683
Bleak Hey Nook, Diggle
cat.no.01731
Thurston Clough Road, Diggle
cat.no.00442
Bleak Hey Nook
cat.no.04212
Bleak Hey, Diggle
cat.no.05008
Standedge, Old Victoria
cat.no.04405
Ridge Lane and Thurstone
cat.no.04150
Thurstones, Diggle
cat.no.01133
Towards Thurstones, Diggle
cat.no.00518
Towards Thurstones, Diggle
cat.no.02439
Diggle, Towpath
cat.no.04639
Some of Russel’s views around Dobcross in the collection. Please visit to see more.
“Dobcross Square”
Catalogue no. 00439
“Lark Hill, Dobcross”
Catalogue no. 00409
Mow Halls, Dobcross
cat.no.00401
Towpath and Loom Works, Dobcross
Catalogue no. 00333
Nicker Brow, Dobcross
Catalogue no. 00329
Towpath, Dobcross
Catalogue No. 00313
Larkhill, Dobcross
Catalogue no 02667
Lark Hill, Dobcross
cat.no.00666
Some more of Russel’s views around Friezland in the collection. Please visit to see more.
Manns, Friezland
at.no.C0002
Manns, Friezland
Catalogue no 02671
Manns, Friezland
Unframed Catalogue no. 00221
Some of Russel’s views around Greenfield (including Dovestones and Yoeman Hey Reservoirs) in the collection. Please visit to see more.
“Rye Top, Greenfield”
Catalogue no. 00427
“Dick Clough, Greenfield”
Catalogue no. 00412
Long Lane, Dick Clough, Greenfield
Catalogue no. 00323
Ryetop, Greenfield
Catalogue no. 00316
Edge End, Greenfield
Catalogue no 02645
Dick Clough Greenfield
Catalogue no 02649
Edge End, Greenfield
Unframed Catalogue no. 00112
Yeoman Hey Reservoir, Greenfield
Unframed Catalogue no. 00670
Rye Top, Greenfield
Unframed Catalogue no. 00669
Edge End, Greenfield
Unframed Catalogue no. 00667
Dick Clough
cat.no.01117
Dovestones Reservoir and Alderman
Unframed Catalogue no. 00223
Edge End, Greenfield
cat.no.C0003
St. Mary’s, Greenfield
cat.no.04939
Dovestones Rocks (study)
cat.no.05705
Some more of Russel’s views around Scouthead and Strinesdale in the collection. Please visit to see more.
Landscape with Buildings
cat.no.03237
Orb Mill from Strinesdale
Catalogue no. 00340
Top ‘o th’ Meadows, Oil on board, 30(h) x 45(w) cm cat.no.02724
Some of Russel’s views around Uppermill in the collection. Please visit to see more.
Saddleworth Church
Unframed Catalogue no. 00698
Saddleworth Church
Unframed Catalogue no. 00697
Primrose, Uppermill
Unframed Catalogue no. 00696
Saddleworth Church
Unframed Catalogue no. 00443
Saddleworth Church
Unframed Catalogue no. 00665
Saddleworth Church
Catalogue no 02649
Saddleworth Hamlet, Oil on Board 45(h) x 30(w) cm cat.no.01142
Some of Russel’s views we are unable to attribute to any specific Saddleworth location in the collection. Please visit to see more.
Landscape with Buildings
cat.no.03640
Landscape
cat.no.01037
Moorland Track
cat.no.C0004