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Meeting Report February 11th
A More THEN than NOW illustrated talk about Burnley by Edward Walton
At the Society meeting on the 11th of February Edward Walton of Burnley Civic Trust and the Society gave an illustrated talk on the history on the creation of the M65 and the former route of Padiham Road from the Mitre Junction through to the Tim Bobbin at Ightenhill. The route required the acquisition of hundreds of houses, shops, pubs and commercial buildings. The creation of the huge trough through which runs the motorway and its slip roads, Gannow Lane, Cog Lane and Westway link was a complicated route. Changes to the Leeds Liverpool Canal, pedestrian and road links were shown on photos of the 1975 to 1981era. He was thankful that Brian Hall-formerly of the Society, Burnley Civic Trust Image Collection and others had photographed previous scenes of the area.
Meeting Report: 14th January 2026
WALTER BENNETT MEMORIAL LECTURE
A well attended meeting of the Burnley and District Historical Society took place on Wednesday January 14th 2026. This was The Walter Bennett Memorial Lecture which was attended by the Mayor of Burnley in his capacity as President of the Society together with the Mayoress of Burnley. The Mayor Councillor Paul Reynolds chaired the meeting, delivering a speech before handing over to the speaker. The Mayoress also addressed the audience. The speaker was Mike Smith of Burnley FilmMakers whose subject was Sam Hanna the prolific Burnley amateur film maker. Mike showed a selection of Sam’s films many of them in colour, some of them accompanied by Sam’s original commentary, and others where commentary had been added. Sam’s films which he began in 1932 recorded ancient crafts including coopering clog making, and charcoal burning, and other aspects of Northern life and local events and long forgotten childrens’ street games to record them for posterity. As a teacher for many years he pioneered the use of films in education something for which he met with a lot of opposition at the time. A man far ahead of his time he developed new techniques for screening and editing film and invented several photographic devices for example the loop absorber.
Assistance Requested
Our Chairperson, Denise, has received an enquiry concerning a family history search for Walter Schofield of Charles Schofield & Sons. The family farmed Towneley after Burnley Corporation bought the Hall and estate after WW2 when the first golf course and schools were created. The enquiry concerns any existing photographs of their Garage on Burton Street, off Oxford Road and any of their vehicles -thought to be old WW2 vintage Bedfords- that Albert and Arthur Schofield ran for their haulage and coal business in the 1950s/60s. Can anyone help?
Meeting Report December 10th
Annual General Meeting
Twenty people attended the Annual General Meeting. All current members of the committee were re-elected. After the business meeting there was an opportunity for members to socialise whilst enjoying tea and mince pies served up by Mike Townend. This was followed by a slide show presented by Tony Mitchell of black and white photographs of Burnley taken in the fifties and recent updates taken by Tony as a comparison. Members of the audience were encouraged to participate with questions and comments. Tony’s presentation was much appreciated.
Meeting Report November 12th
Railway Development in Lancashire by Dr. Paul Salveson
This was a very well-presented analysis of the development of the railway network in Lancashire. The opening of the Manchester – Liverpool Railway in 1830, the world’s first inter-city line, was to be operated by steam locomotives and the Manchester manufacturing area and the Liverpool mercantile area developed simultaneously throughout the l9th century. It was explained how the rapid expansion of the railways took place, detailed descriptions of the various lines in East Lancashire were givenand also the early relationship between the East Lancashire Railway and the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway. The decline of steam was discussed and of course the Rose Grove locomotive depot and extensive marshalling yards where steam locomotives were working until the very end of the Steam Age in August 1968.
These things happen!
Dr. Paul Salveson had difficulty in his journey from Kent’s Bank to Burnley and arrived 50 minutes late due to his train being cancelled due to a lack of a guard! He had to watch as the ‘cancelled’ train passed through the station without passengers or guard. This was particularly ironic as not only was he coming to talk about railway development but for many years he had been a guard on the railways! This reminded me of an occasion many years ago, before mobile phones or sat nav, when a speaker failed to arrive at all! He too had travelled a good distance and did arrive in Burnley but failed to find our location and returned home! His expertise was the Development of Turnpike Roads, but Burnley had him baffled apparently!
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Meeting Report 8th October
“THE BOOK OF ST. PETER” – Presented by Annette Roadley
Members of the Burnley and District Historical Society attended a lecture on “The Book of St. Peter” given by Annette Roadley. Annette retired as a Biomedical Scientist at Manchester Royal Infirmary in 2021 since when she has had more time to indulge her passion for anything artistic. Annette and her Husband have a long association with St. Peter’s Church and they are both interested in history. When Annette realised that the Church was going to be celebrating its 900th. Anniversary in 2022 she joined a small group of people at the church to help commemorate the event.
The book of St. Peter was Annette’s idea. A lot has been documented about the church history the past clergy and many prominent local people but little about the parishioners. Annette’s book has been designed to highlight the importance of ordinary people in the community giving a historical record for a time capsule of the 900th. Year of the church in 2022. Using the Letters of St. Peter as inspiration, contributions were collected from parishioners, members of church groups, and children from local schools. Also at a stall held on four consecutive Saturdays in the town centre members of the public were invited to come forward, make a donation, and copy out a verse from the Letters of St. Peter and make an up to date contribution of their own to the book. Annette illustrated the book with biblical and local scenes inserting modern interpretations in the margin.
Annette bound the book herself and designed and made the cover. Following the lecture members of the audience were invited to have a look at the book, which Annette had brought with her. The book is now going on permanent display in St. Peter’s Church.
Meeting Report 10th September
First Talk of the 2025/26 Season
“Charles Holden: Architect of Dignity and Design” – Presented by Chairman Denise North
The Historical Society opened its 2025/26 season with an absorbing presentation by Chairman Denise North, exploring the life and work of architect Charles Holden (1875–1960) — a man whose quiet vision helped shape both the Commonwealth War Graves and the London Underground.
Born in Bolton, Holden faced early hardship after his father’s business failed and his mother died when he was fifteen. Despite this, he pursued night classes in art and design, later working for his brother-in-law and for Jonathan Simpson, an architect linked with Lord Leverhulme’s Port Sunlight development.
Moving to London in 1898, Holden became chief assistant to Percy Adams, designing hospitals such as the Belgrave Hospital for Children and the British Seamen’s Hospital in Istanbul. Around this time, he began living with Margaret Simpson, with whom he shared a simple, self-sufficient Quaker-inspired life in Hertfordshire.
Holden’s architectural career flourished after winning the 1902 competition for Bristol Central Library, followed by further commissions in Bristol and collaboration with sculptor Jacob Epstein on Oscar Wilde’s tomb in Paris.
During the First World War, Holden served as a stretcher-bearer and later joined the Imperial War Graves Commission, where he designed 69 cemeteries. His egalitarian approach ensured that all headstones were identical in size and material, reflecting equality in death.
After the war, Holden’s partnership with Frank Pick of the Underground Electric Railways Company led to his most iconic work. His designs for stations such as Piccadilly Circus, Southgate, Colliers Wood, and Gants Hill showcased his hallmark simplicity, clarity, and focus on passenger comfort. His 1926 masterpiece, 55 Broadway, the Underground’s headquarters, combined modernist design with Epstein’s daring sculptures.
Despite twice being offered a knighthood, Holden declined, believing such honours inappropriate given his modest beliefs and unmarried partnership.
Denise’s richly illustrated talk revealed Holden as a man of integrity, humility, and vision — an architect whose legacy continues to influence London’s transport design and the solemn beauty of the world’s war cemeteries.
Meeting Report: on Wednesday 9th April
Lancashire Lads in the Scottish Rifles
At a well-attended meeting of the Burnley and District Historical Society on the 19th of April 2025, members enjoyed a lecture by Andrew Gill, who Chairman of the East Lancashire Branch of the Western Front Association, entitled ‘Lancashire Lads in the Scottish Rifles’
There were such a large number of Burnley men serving in the 10th Battalion of the Scottish Rifles Regiment in the First World War that it became knbown among them as ‘The Burnley Rifles’ Andre had researched into how this had come about and discounted the fact that these men could have been of Scvottish descent as they didn’t appear to have Scottish surnames.. Although Scottish textile workers had previously emigrated to Lancashire mill towns in search of work this didn’t seem to be the reason either, in fact the reason for the high numbers was more mundane and a feature of recruitment campaigns. The Scottish Rifles were under subscribed and in order to correct this deficit recruitment officers in England had been instructed to direct numbers of those enlisting into The Scottish Rifles to ensure an adequate number. The 10th Battalion were involved in many of the main battles of the First World war including Loos, Arras and the Somme. They were trained marksmen and sharp shooters.
This was the last lecture of the 2024-25 season.
Meeting Report: on Wednesday 12th March
Sex and Scandal in the Victorian Era
At a well-attended meeting of the Burnley and District Historical Society on the 12th of March 2025, members enjoyed a lecture by Lavinia Todd entitled “Sex and Scandal in the Victorian Era”. Lavinia is retired from Lancashire County Council Museum’s Education Team. The lecture described the life of Edith Nesbitt and some of her associates. Edith Nesbitt is probably most well known as the author of the book “The Railway Children” first published in 1906 which was an immediate best-seller. The book when it was initially published bears the name of the author as E. Nesbitt only giving her first initial rather than her first name. This was because many female authors encountered difficulties in getting published and the use of only the initial of the first name could indicate that the author was probably male. During her life Edith wrote a total of 98 novels and 30 books of plays and poems and was probably the first modern writer for children.
She was the youngest of 6 children of middle-class parents living comfortably in a large house until the age of 4 when her father died, after which her life became very unsettled as her mother moved about with the family and struggled financially. She began writing for profit at the age of 13 to help in supporting the family. She married Hubert Bland a political journalist who throughout the marriage was unfaithful to her and had several children with other women some of whom Edith adopted as her own. She was writing short stories and painting greetings cards in order to support herself and her husband and children .The marriage was unconventional described as “open” though possibly more open for Hubert than Edith. They lived a chaotic lifestyle mixing with other authors including George Bernard Shaw, Oscar Wilde, and H.G.Wells holding and attending extravagant and somewhat racy parties. Edith was a flirt and pursued George Bernard Shaw although there is no evidence of an affair with him as although he indulged in numerous affairs he would not entertain married ladies. Following Hubert’s untimely death in 1914 Edith’s career faltered slightly and she wrote poetry becoming the one of the first women writers to write a war poem. She remarried in 1917 and enjoyed a more stable marriage. She died at the age of 65 in 1924 and is buried at St. Mary’s on the March. Her book “the Railway Children” has never been out of print since its first publication and the story has appeared on television and at least two films have been made of it.
Meeting Report: The Walter Bennett Memorial Lecture on Wednesday 8th January:
Chance and Coincidence
The Walter Bennett Memorial Lecture was presented by Mike Townend and Linda Dawson at the meeting of the Burnley and District Society on January 8th 2025. The Mayor of Burnley Councillor Shah Hussain attended and chaired the meeting. The title of the lecture was “Chance and Coincidence” recounting the story of Jewish refugees who came to Burnley in the 1930’s to escape from Nazi tyranny. Linda had inherited documents photographs and letters from a relative Ruby Mackay who was the head teacher of Burnley’s open air school in Thompson Park from 1927 to 1958. Ruby sponsored Edward, a nine year old boy from Czechoslovakia who travelled to the Uk via Nicholas Winton’s kinder transport. Ruby then attempted to sponsor one of Edward’s brothers but was unsuccessful. Living with Ruby in Burnley Edward received a good education and had a successful career. He spent the rest of his life in the Uk and married and had a family of his own. Sadly his parents and two brothers did not survive the holocaust. The next meeting of the society takes place on Wednesday February 12th 2025 with a presentation from Burnley Film makers. Meetings are held at 2p.m. at St. John’s R.C. Hall, Ivy Street Burnley BB10 1TB. Members, new members and guests are welcome to attend.
Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Society was conducted, confirming the re-election of Chairman, other official and Committee members who were prepared to continue to serve the Society. The annual subscription is to remain the same.
The chairman Denise gave a report on the successful year of meetings but saddened by the loss of a major contributor and member Brian Hall who died during the year.
After seasonal refreshments the members were then addressed by Geoff Lancaster who discussed his collection of British and other coins of past centuries.
Meeting Report: Wednesday 13th November:
Parliament Peculiarities
At a well-attended meeting of the Burnley and District Historical Society on the 13th of November 2024, members enjoyed an illustrated lecture by Frank Bartram and Gordon Birtwistle entitled “Parliamentary Peculiarities”. Some of the “peculiarities” described have their origins in historical events which survive to the present day. Perhaps one of the most well known traditions is the rigorous searching of the cellars of the building before the Monarch attends for the official opening of Parliament originating from the time of Guy Fawkes and the gunpowder plot. At the opening of Parliament when the Monarch attends to make a speech, during the time in which the Monarch is in the building an M.P. is kidnapped and held hostage at Buckingham Palace. This is from a time when the Monarchy often had a difficult relationship with Parliament and so the kidnapped M.P. was held as a bargaining tool to ensure the safety of the Monarch. Another tradition associated with the opening of Parliament concerns Black Rod who holds a senior position in the House of Parliament and is based in the House of Lords. In order to gain entrance to the Commons Black Rod has to bang on the door of the chamber three times with a black rod. The chamber door is at first slammed in his face to represent the independence of the Commons.
When a new speaker of the House of Commons is elected the successful candidate has to show a great reluctance to take the chair and is physically dragged there by other M.Ps, whilst protesting vehemently. One of the speaker’s functions has been to communicate the opinions of parliament to the monarch and historically if the Monarch was unhappy with the message delivered it could result in “Off with his head” therefore speakers in the past could be somewhat reluctant to accept a post which could endanger their lives.
The mace, which is a symbol of authority, sits in the House of Commons chamber when Parliament is in session. Any debate taking place without the presence of the mace is therefore illegal. The doorkeepers and messengers employed in the building wear an all black uniform. This dates from the death of Prince Albert when Queen Victoria issued an edict ordering the wearing of black for mourning. That edict was never rescinded.
There is a Father, Mother, and Baby of The House Of Commons. The Father is the longest continuous serving male M.P., The Mother is the longest continuous serving female M.P. and the baby is the youngest serving M.P. These peculiarities which are still in existence were just some of those described during the lecture.
When a new speaker of the House of Commons is elected the successful candidate has to show a great reluctance to take the chair and is physically dragged there by other M.Ps, whilst protesting vehemently. One of the speaker’s functions has been to communicate the opinions of parliament to the monarch and historically if the Monarch was unhappy with the message delivered it could result in “Off with his head” therefore speakers in the past could be somewhat reluctant to accept a post which could endanger their lives.
The mace, which is a symbol of authority, sits in the House of Commons chamber when Parliament is in session. Any debate taking place without the presence of the mace is therefore illegal. The doorkeepers and messengers employed in the building wear an all black uniform. This dates from the death of Prince Albert when Queen Victoria issued an edict ordering the wearing of black for mourning. That edict was never rescinded.
There is a Father, Mother, and Baby of The House Of Commons. The Father is the longest continuous serving male M.P., The Mother is the longest continuous serving female M.P. and the baby is the youngest serving M.P. These peculiarities which are still in existence were just some of those described during the lecture.
meeting Report: Wednesday 9th October:
Oh! We did like to be beside the Seaside.
At a well-attended meeting of the Burnley and District Historical Society on the 9th of October 2024, members enjoyed an illustrated lecture by Molly Haines entitled “Oh We did like to be beside the Seaside” During the 19th. Century seaside towns became popular places to visit with places such as Blackpool, Morecambe, Scarborough, and Filey being popular choices for those from the local mill towns. Originally the Victorians visited the seaside as an alternative to the traditional Spa towns in order to take the waters for health reasons, although this activity was only available to the wealthy and members of the aristocracy and not the working classes. Bathing machines would be available for women to preserve their modesty and to separate them from the men as mixed bathing was not allowed. To accommodate these visitors hotels and catering establishments were built providing work for local people and consequently such places had an increase in population. Visits to the seaside eventually became available to the working classes with day trips being organised by churches, groups and clubs. With the arrival of the railways cheap day excursions were on offer and advertised widely. Some companies and organisations then established holiday clubs whereby people could save all year round from their wages in order to take a holiday at the seaside. The money saved needed to cover not only the cost of travel and accommodation but the week’s wage as there were no holidays with pay. The increase in people visiting holiday resorts called for more than just sand and sea for entertainment and led to the establishment of attractions such as concert halls, ballrooms etc. and places such as Blackpool’s tower, Winter Gardens and Pleasure beach. Piers were another attraction providing not only the popularity of a stroll along the pier, but pleasure boat trips, amusement arcades and entertainment. The installation of illuminated lights at Blackpool enhanced its popularity for visits to the town. The introduction of the holidays with pay act of 1938 increased the numbers of working class people being able to take an annual seaside holiday and those living at seaside resorts were able to earn a living by offering accommodation. Holiday camps were established post-war using army camps which were no longer required. They were tented at first before chalet accommodation was built. These holiday camps provided all inclusive holidays for families and were very popular. The 1950’s to 60’s were the hay day of the seaside holiday which took a downturn with the coming of the jet age offering cheap package holidays abroad which were affordable from the average working man’s wage. Visitor numbers to seaside towns fell leading to high levels of unemployment and closure of many of the attractions.
In recent years following the covid epidemic seaside holidays in this country experienced an upturn and consequently many of them have managed to retain and in some cases re-establish their traditional attractions. At the end of the lecture the screen featured the words of the song from which the title of the talk had been taken. It was written in 1907 and made popular by Reginald Dixon the resident wurlitzer organist of the tower ballroom, who for many years played it as his signature tune “Oh we do like to be beside the seaside”
meeting Report: Wednesday 11th September
Ernest Evans:
At a well-attended meeting on the 11th of September 2024, members of the Burnley and District Historical Society enjoyed an illustrated lecture by Nick Burton entitled Ernest Evans: From Weaver to Master of Natural Sciences (The Mechanics Institutes). Ernest Evans was born in St Albans and moved with his parents to Lancashire. He began work at Butt’s mill in Barnoldswick at the age of twelve as a carder later moving to Brierfield then to Burnley to work in the cotton industry. In his spare time he enjoyed rambling in the countryside and became interested in botany and geology obtaining books from the library to teach himself natural sciences. He enrolled at the mechanics institute evening classes attending four nights a week for four years where he was taught by Elizabeth Stroyan. Ernest then began teaching part time at the mechanics, his first teaching job was at Walk Mill Cliviger where he taught botany and geology. His teaching methods were innovative and involved taking his students on field trips where they could examine botanical and geological examples at first hand. These methods were considered unorthodox by many in authority as they were extra-curricular, however, his students enjoyed them and consequently achieved excellent results. At the age of thirty-four he gave up working in the mill to teach full-time teaching biology, physiology, botany and geology. Fifty National scholarships were won by his students with many of them going on to hold important appointments in various parts of the world and Burnley became one of the best towns in the country for students winning scholarships.
Whilst teaching at the public hall in Elizabeth street he was approached by Dr. James MacKenzie for help in his research into heart disease. Ernest set up a laboratory within the building, and assisted the doctor in dissecting animal hearts which Ernest obtained from local butchers. Ernest taught for thirty-two years in Burnley until his services were terminated due to re-organisation. He died in 1934 aged 78 and had left instructions for his ashes to be scattered on Pendle Hill. Over a hundred people attended his funeral to climb the hill following a service in Barley to scatter his ashes at the summit.
Visiting Meeting Reports
Summer 2024
meeting Report
Outside Visit Meeting -Burnley Youth Theatre
On 29th July a Joint meeting with the Society, Sion History Group and Burnley Civic Trust was a visit to the Burnley Youth Theatre adjacent to Queens Park. An informative illustrated talk was given by Phillip Hindle and a tour around the site -in good weather – was enjoyed by the group.
Heritage week Meetings -Joint Meetings with Burnley Civic Trust
On 4th September Tony Mitchell – a lifetime Rail enthusiast gave a talk on the history of Railways in Burnley and their Social consequences on the town -and on many others-with the increased ability of rapid movement of goods and passengers from their arrival around 1845.
Tony had previously written article for the Retrospect publication and a revision of the two articles had been made and a copy of them was issued to all those attending the evening at the Town Hall. An excellent illustrated talk was given and the crowded audience showed great appreciation.
On 11th September Edward Walton of bcthic.org-Burnley Civic Trusts photographic website gave an illustrated talk outlining a journey from Rosegrove Station to Burnley Central station, across town and via two other stations using old postcards and photo images with current images taken from the nearest position possible that the original photographer must have adopted. This talk enable viewers to see how the town has changed over the last 140 years along the route of the journey.
meeting Report
Wednesday
10th
April
ROYAL ROMP
The speaker at the last meeting of the Burnley and District Historical Society on April 10th 2024 was Dr. Graham Kemp whose subject was “Royal Romp”. Dr. Kemp is a well known historian and retired curator of Lancaster Castle. He delivered his account of “a thousand years of royal gossip” about the rulers of England. In the first half of the lecture he spoke about the Norman Kings and their accession to the throne. For the second half of the lecture Dr. Kemp distributed a list of English rulers from King Canute whose reign began in 1016 through to our present monarch King Charles 111. Members of the audience were invited to choose from the list anyone they would like him to talk about. His accounts were fascinating and many of them extremely amusing. The fact that there were fifty-one names on the list and that Dr. Kemp was prepared to speak knowledgably about any one of them demonstrated the his depth of knowledge as a historian.
meeting Report
Wednesday
13th
March
Women into Medicine
At the meeting of Burnley and district historical society on March 13th. 2024 The Society’s Chairman Denise North presented an illustrated lecture entitled “Women into Medicine”. The lecture involved two of Denise’s specialities, the history of medicine and equal rights for women. Prior to 1869 women were precluded from the study of medicine as they were not accepted into British universities. In that year seven women pioneers managed to gain admittance to Edinburgh University in order to study medicine. They struggled to overcome the many obstacles which the university authorities and many male members of the university presented them with to try to discourage them in pursuing their education. The seven passed the final examination which should have entitled them to the degree necessary for them to register to practice medicine. The university authorities however refused to issue them with their degrees issuing instead certificates of attendance which meant that they were unable to register as medical practitioners. Five of them later obtained the necessary qualifications after studying abroad and continued in their campaign to enable women to study medicine. Eventually the UK medical act of 1876 allowed women access to university education in order to study medicine. For many years afterwards women still encountered difficulties in being accepted into the medical profession and it was some time before women were awarded equal status with their male colleagues in the field of medicine.
Meeting Report
Wednesday
14th February
THE HISTORY OF MIDWIFERY
At the meeting of Burnley and District Historical Society on February 14th.Linda Sawley gave a lecture to a well attended audience on the history of midwifery. Linda is a retired health professional who has written a good number of books and is a volunteer guide at Browsholme Hall. Her lecture outlined the progress and improvements in the practice of midwifery right up to the present day and how such improvements have resulted in safe practice in midwifery with a consequent reduction in maternal mortality rates. The first book on midwifery was produced in 1600 and in the 1750’s the first lying-in hospitals were founded. Linda spoke about some of the eminent medical pioneers of the past whose contributions have led to advances in obstetrics and midwifery practice. These included Dr. Ignas Semelweiss whose observations noted vast differences in maternal mortality between hospitals staffed by surgeons and those staffed by midwives. His findings led to improvements in sanitation and hygienic practice with Joseph Lister’s understanding of the germ theory and consequent use of antiseptics and aseptic techniques improving things further. In 1847 James Simpson’s use of chloroform as pain relief in childbirth also improved outcomes. In 1902 an act to licence midwives to practice was introduced which controlled midwifery practice and a further act in 1936 introduced compulsory education and training for midwives with examinations to be passed before registration to practice. More recent innovations have been such things as improved ante-natal care with ultra-sound scanning to diagnose any problems before birth many of which can be successfully treated whilst the child is still in the womb. All these have contributed over time to childbirth becoming a less perilous journey than it was historically and a reduction in both maternal and infant mortality rates.
meeting Report
Walter Bennett Memorial Lecture chaired by the Major of Burnley
10th January 2024
The meeting of Burnley and District Historical Society on January 10th. was the Walter Bennett Memorial Lecture. Walter Bennett was a founder member of the Society and gave the first talk to the Society in January 1949 almost 75 years ago to the day of the memorial lecture in January 2024. The Mayor of Burnley Councillor Raja Arif Khan attended and chaired the meeting. The speaker was Edward Walton whose subject was “A Brief Picture of Burnley 1920/1921 in the context of the year of the formation of Burnley Rotary Club”. The illustrated lecture described many of the founder members of the Rotary club and gave details of the social conditions in Burnley at that time.
meeting Report
Wednesday 13th December
- Annual General Meeting
Following the business meeting At the Burnley & District Historical Society Annual General Meeting held on December 13th. a short PowerPoint presentation was given by Denise North entitled “The Famous Christmas Truce of 1914”.
Meeting Report
Two Toms
8th November
At the meeting of Burnley and District Historical Society on November 8th an illustrated lecture was presented by Nick Burton entitled “Two Toms”. Nick Burton has written several books on walking and local walks, and is the editor of “Footsteps” the magazine of the Wainwright Society. The two Toms were two local men who were concerned about the health effects of mill workers living and working in cramped overcrowded conditions brought about by the industrial revolution.
Tom Leonard 1864-1948 was a Congregational minister in Colne whose Christian principles led to him taking actions to improve the lives of his parishioners. Starting in 1891 he took local mill workers from the town on outdoor holidays in the countryside enabling them to get much needed fresh air and exercise. He created the Co-operative Holidays Association and the Holiday Fellowship and was a founder member of the Youth Hostels Association.
Tom Stephenson 1893-1987 grew up in Whalley and began his working life at the age of 13 in a local mill. After his first week at work he climbed Pendle Hill and contrasted the wide open countryside around him with the conditions in workplaces. This inspired him to campaign for better access to the countryside for working class people. He championed the creation of National Parks and the right of working class people to roam, something which had previously been restricted by wealthy landowners protecting grouse shooting for the upper classes. He became secretary of the Ramblers Association and as a journalist at the Daily Herald wrote an article in 1935 “A long Green Trail” describing linking the Pennines to Scotland. From this followed a 30 year campaign to create The Pennine Way which was officially opened in 1965. Tom wrote the first official guide.
Perhaps we now take for granted our National Parks, long distance trails, and footpaths, brought about by these two men and others like them, who have spent time and effort to enable our access to the countryside and the right to roam.
Nick Burton together with Bob Sproule and in association with the Mid Pennine Arts Association have devised a 25 mile walking route “The Two Toms Trail” with three separate leaflets giving walkers detailed notes. The Mid Pennine Arts Association are working to have plaques placed at key points along the route commemorating the Two Toms.
meeting Report
Emigrating to Burnley From Swaledale
At the meeting of Burnley and district historical society on October 11th. 2023 Phil Batman presented an illustrated lecture entitled “Emigrating to Burnley from Swaledale”. Mr. Batman is a professor of pathology and studied for a PhD in history at Leicester University. He is now retired and researches social aspects of migrations in the industrial revolution of Victorian England. In his lecture he described the decline of lead mining in Swaledale when the mines became “worked out” and the consequent decline in the population due to emigration from the area in order to find employment elsewhere. Using census records mainly, he established that many people emigrating from Swaledale moved to the Burnley area eventually. There was evidence of “chain migration” when an emigrant from an area, when settled in a new area would communicate back to others with details of what employment was available in the area resulting in others following suit.
The next lecture entitled “The Two Toms” by Nick Burton takes place on Wednesday November 8th. at 2p.m. at St. John’s Church Hall Ivy Street Burnley. Members, new members and guests are welcome.
meeting Report
A Virtual Tour of the Houses of Parliament
At a well-attended meeting on the 13th of September 2023, members of the Burnley and District Historical Society enjoyed a virtual tour of the Houses of Parliament with Frank Bartram. Frank had previously worked at the Houses of Parliament under the heading Democratic Access where he showed guests of Members of Parliament and Peers around the Palace of Westminster. The lecture was slide illustrated showing many aspects outside and inside the buildings whilst Frank described the history of the building. He explained the ancient origins of the various Parliamentary procedures which have continued down through the ages and which have remained in traditional use to the present day.
The next meeting of the society will take place at 2 p.m. on 11th October 2023 with a lecture entitled “Emigrating to Burnley from Swaledale” by Phil Batman. The venue is St. John’s Parish Hall Ivy Street, Burnley. Members, new members and guests are welcome to attend.
meeting Report
Thursday 23rd March
Six members of the Society visited the Burnley Civic Trust Heritage Image Collection, which is based in the Burnley Civic Trust premises in the basement at the back of Burnley Town Hall.
Our committee member, Edward Walton, gave us a brief history of how the collection has been acquired. He then showed us some examples of the material which has been donated to the Civic Trust by the Burnley Express. He also explained how the material was being indexed.
There were 6 volunteers working on this day and they explained to us the kind of work they were doing.
The Image Collection is massive and it forms a very important part of Burnley history. Edward receives many requests for help, not just from local people but from other parts of the world as well.
The funding for this project is coming to an end and it is important to find other financial sources to keep this valuable collection in existence
meeting Report
Walter Bennett Memorial Lecture
Thursday
8th
February
The March meeting of the Burnley & District Historical Society this year fell on 8th which was International Women’s Day and so it was appropriate that the meeting featured three women. The Chairman of the Society, Denise North, who introduced the Mayor of Burnley, Councillor Cosima Towneley who, as President of the Society chaired the meeting and Kathy Fishwick who, as guest speaker presented: “King Cotton – how it affected other industries” Kathy Fishwick lives in Rawtenstall and is involved with Rossendale Civic Trust.
The presentation, which was very well illustrated, detailed the changes from a domestic woollen industry to the introduction of cotton and the development of a factory system which required power, derived firstly from water and then from steam. The demand for coal grew as did a network of railways and associated industries.
The resulting expansion of the cotton industry saw the rapid growth of townships in our region of East Lancashire and we are fortunate that much is being done by bodies such as the Rossendale Civic Trust to ensure that the history of the cotton industry is preserved for future generations. It was also an industry which gave employment to many thousands of women in our locality.
A talk given to a well attended meeting of the Burnley and District Historical Society was delivered on February 8th. by Molly Haines the title of which was “Two Midland Hotels”. These were the Midland Hotel at St. Pancras and the Midland hotel at Morecambe. The hotel at St. Pancras was officially opened in 1873. It was designed in Victorian gothic style with its lavish interior including costly fixtures and featuring a grand staircase, rooms with gold leaf decorating the walls, and fireplaces in every room. There were innovative features such as hydraulic lifts, and revolving doors although none of the rooms had bathrooms which was not unusual for that period.
By 1935 the hotel’s utilities had become outdated and the hotel itself was proving too costly to maintain so the hotel was closed. From then on it was used as railway offices until in 1980 the premises failed the requirements of fire safety regulations and were closed. As the building deteriorated it became threatened with demolition. Campaigners including John Betjeman managed to get the building awarded Grade 1 listed status although it remained empty for many years deteriorating still further. In 2004 planning permission was given to redevelop the building as a hotel and following restoration it re-opened in 2011.
The Midland hotel in Morecambe was built in 1933 in the art deco style of the time. It was a three storey curved building with a central circular tower containing the entrance to the hotel and a grand spiral staircase. The front of the hotel was decorated with sculptures of seahorses and the inside featured sculptures, mosaics, a mural by Eric Gill. When World War Two broke out the hotel was commissioned by the Government to be used to accommodate members of the Royal Air force and civil servants. In 1940 it began use as a military hospital and was stripped of its valuable carpets and rugs and its famous mural was covered up. After the war the building remained empty and began to deteriorate. Facing demolition it was saved by campaigners who managed to obtain grade 2 listing in 1976. In 2005 work began on the restoration of the building and the features including the sculptures and Gill’s mural. It re-opened as a hotel in June 2008.
Although both hotels are quite different in appearance they have several things in common. They were both built by railway companies to accommodate passengers travelling by rail. They both escaped demolition when campaigners stepped in to get the buildings listed. Both have in recent years been restored to their former glory because of modern day interventions. In the case of the St. Pancras hotel when St. Pancras station re-opened for international rail travel by Euro star and in the case of the Midland in Morecambe with recent investment to enhance Morecambe as a main tourist attraction including the forthcoming Eden Project.
meeting Report
Thursday 12th April
At a meeting of the Burnley and District Historical Society, Linda Sawley gave a lecture entitled “Elizabeth Parker of Browsholme Hall”. Browsholme Hall was built in 1507 and has since been in continuous ownership of fifteen generations of the Parker family. Elizabeth Parker was born at the hall in 1726 and became the lady of the manor on the death of her Mother when she was aged eighteen. She married her cousin Robert Parker of Alkincoats in 1751 despite the fact that her family disapproved of the marriage. She lived with him at his home Alkincoats Hall, however, Robert died in 1758 leaving Elizabeth with three sons under the age of five. In 1765 at the age of 38 she eloped to Gretna Green to marry a wool merchant John Shackleton who was only 21 years of age. Again, her family disapproved of the marriage because of his age and social standing. They also felt that the marriage wasn’t legal and arranged for a church marriage shortly afterwards at Colne Parish Church. She died at the age of 55 in 1781 and is buried in Colne. Browsholme Hall is still the family home of the Parker family and is open to the public on certain dates. On display to visitors is a portrait of Elizabeth and remnants of the dress she wore at her first wedding. Many documents relating to the Parker family have survived together with Elizabeth’s letters and detailed diaries. As well as personal diaries she kept various accounts which describe many aspects of life at the time. Linda Sawley is a tour guide at Browsholme and has used the information kept there to present a lecture which gives a fascinating insight into Elizabeth Parker’s life and times which was appreciated by a well-attended audience.