Accrington
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Map of Lancashire
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Accrington books (5 available)
Accrington memories
Read and share memories of Accrington and Lancashire inspired by Frith photos
Sacred Heart Church
This is Sacred Heart RC Church, in Accrington. It has now been demolished. I have many great memories and some not so great from this sacred place. I felt like I had to share this info, with you when I saw this picture. When the church was being knocked down there was a last service mass held and it was a ticket only event. I couldn't go on that evening and therefore missed it.
The church holds many memories for all of my family. My mum and dad were married at the church as were her seven sisters. Every week in Sunday best marching with my Nanna picking up all of my cousins along the way, to 11 o'clock mass. My ...read more here
Contributed by First name Last name
Accrington as I recall
We moved to Accrington fom Whalley 10th December 1941. I remember it because Syd Ashmeed and his band was broadcasting that day and Ronnie Brooks was the drummer and I wanted to listen to the broadcast but as we were moving I missed it. I started work at Howard & Bulloughs in April 1941 as an apprentice mechanic in the milling room, but after a year I asked for a transfer to the tool room. George Crawshaw was the foreman. I was in Bulloughs Home Guard and did our guard duty in Fountain St. We lived in Buxton St and one Saturday night a shop window was broken on Charter St, I believe that happened for three Saturday nights, when they ...read more here
Contributed by Trevor Williams
Mrs Kilshaw
I remember the creaky stairs and stodgy atmosphere of Central Preparatory so well, even though it's now 44 years since I last heard the sterling tones of Mrs Kilshaw resounding through the classroom.
Miss Backhouse was my personal favourite: a gentle, caring teacher who had the patience others seemed to lack.
I still live locally (Ossy) and occasionally wander round the area where the noble old building that began my experiences of the world of British education once stood. So much has changed of the Accrington I knew then and having moved back after 35 years away - in Scotland and Cheshire - it's nice to know that others have soothing and happy memories of Central Prep.
Contributed by Karol Gajewski
Central Prep School
I was a pupil at this school until about 1960 when I went to the technical school. I have fond memories of the headmistress and her blue-rinse hair do. Whilst I was there Miss Cauldfield left and a Miss Hackwood (hope this is correct) took over. To a child's eyes it all seemed to change.
Contributed by David Clayton
School Days
The building behind the church is where I went to school from 1955 1961. It was called Central Preparatory School and the headmistress was Miss Caulfield.
Contributed by Marion Duckworth
Extracts From Accrington & Lancashire books
This is how local historian W A Abram described
the Town Hall: ‘The west front, 120 feet wide,
with an elevation of 63 feet, presents the main
entrance in the centre, by three massive arched
doorways. The front is emboldened by Corinthian
columns resting upon a rusticated basement
upholding a broad tablature surmounted by
a perforated parapet’ - an impressive piece of
architecture.
An extract from from"Blackburn Town and City Memories".
The Exchange looks here much as it did when Charles Dickens ascended
its steps to give his reading. The premises on the right advertising Whittle
Springs Ales was W H Gregson’s brewers’ agents, later to become an office
for Grant’s whisky, the only one they had outside Scotland - a tribute to
Blackburn’s fondness for strong liquor. On the left was the Exchange Hotel.
An extract from from"Blackburn Town and City Memories".
Note the change of illumination outside the Town Hall. On the right is
the Exchange Building in its incarnation as the Majestic Cinema. Davy
Crockett is showing, and you could have had a seat in the stalls for one shil-
ling (5p), or in the circle for one shilling and sixpence (7½p).
An extract from from"Blackburn Town and City Memories".
Towneley Hall has a very good collection. It includes the famous Zoffany portrait, ‘Charles Towneley and his Friends’, several Turners and an Epstein bust. Most of the pictures have been acquired by the Council, though the Hall has some pictures formerly in the Towneley Collection.
An extract from from"Burnley Town and City Memories".
The chapel is the work of Sir John Towneley (1473-1541), who also saved the magnificent vestments formerly used in Whalley Abbey. The vestments, very rare survivals of the pre-Reformation church, are usually on display near the chapel. The chapel itself is full of interest. On the extreme right, note the beautifully-carved wooden shield over the door of what was once a confessional room. On either side of it are the crests of the Towneleys of Towneley and the Asshetons of Lever, together with the initials RT and IT and the date 1601. The initials are those of Richard and Jane Towneley (formerly Assheton). High on the panelled ceiling are bosses on which are carved the initials of Sir John’s family.
An extract from from"Burnley Town and City Memories".