New book to look at Darwen’s heritage

A new book Memories of Darwen with pictures of the town old and new will be launched this month.

The 120-page publication includes 260 images from a century of history and 10,000 words explaining how the areas featured have changed.

It is the work of the ‘Darwen Days’ community history project and digital photographic website.

Lancashire Telegraph Article HERE

Undelivered letters shed light on 17th-century society

Thousands of pieces of correspondence, many still unopened, were stored away by Dutch postmaster and are now being examined by academics.

An appeal for help from a desperate woman has been opened and read more than 300 years after the man it was sent to refused to accept delivery – not surprisingly, since the wealthy merchant in The Hague must have suspected it contained the unwelcome news that he was about to become a father.

The seventeenth century was responsible for so much of the Pendleside heritage of farms and clothiers houses, is still not well understood. These letters bring to life the people of the time.

Full story HERE

Gardening Groups combine…

The Pendle Heritage and Barrowford Park Friends gardeners combined their efforts on Wednesday (4th November) and made a good start clearing the raised bed between the park and the centre. A large number of bulbs were planted and it certainly looked much better without the brambles. We’ll tackle the weeds on the car park cobbles next time.

Iconic Blackburn buildings in colour spotlight for Christmas

TWO of Blackburn’s most iconic heritage buildings will be in the spotlight with a dramatic display of colour and light for the town’s Christmas extravaganza.

The Victoria Building at Blackburn College and Holy Trinity Church will come to life with a multi-colour flood light effect as part of the annual Festival of Light celebrations, which aims to illuminate Blackburn for the festive season.

Lancashire Telegraph Report HERE

East Lancashire museums facing axe due to County Hall cuts

MUSEUMS across Lancashire could be under threat as County Hall chiefs work to balance the books.

Bosses are looking at every service provided by the authority to find massive savings, after it was revealed the council needs to cut an extra £223m by 2020.

A document seen by the Lancashire Evening Post says Lancashire Museums is a 100 per cent non-statutory service. It says before the ceasing of any museum, there would be a consultation with partners from other councils.

Museums under review are: Continue reading “East Lancashire museums facing axe due to County Hall cuts”

WEAVERS’ TRIANGLE: Dazzling spectacle to herald new era of town’s heritage landmark

A STATE-of-the-art light show is set to herald the completion of the initial phases of the former cotton industry heartland in Burnley next week.

Thirty short films detailing the town’s storied past and a series of ‘stunning’ projections will light up Slater Terrace as part of the £100million On The Banks celebration at the Weavers’ Triangle.

Dame Julia Cleverdon, the Prince of Wales’ representative, is among the guests invited for the visual treat, the brainchild of leading artist Jo Fairfax, which will also incorporate a number of mill chimneys nearby.

FULL STORY HERE

and HERE

Work underway on £2 million plan to regenerate Bacup

Work is now underway on a £2 million Townscape Heritage Initiative project to regenerate Bacup.

The Pioneer building is currently being worked on which will see repairs to the clock tower and roof, new shop fronts based on the original design from 1914, and stone and iron works to preserve the heritage aspects of the building, with work expected to be completed in February.

STORY HERE

and HERE and HERE

Leeds Liverpool Canal Lecture

On a rainy day in October we could be forgiven for expecting a reduced turnout for Andrea Smith’s fascinating account of the Skipton to Barrowford section of the canal.  How wrong we were, with extra chairs brought just in time, the barn was full.  Why, when and where it was built were all explained at a depth which satisfied the enthusiasts without over loading those with only a passing interest. Continue reading “Leeds Liverpool Canal Lecture”