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Churchtown
Churchtown maps
Historic maps of Churchtown and the local area, hand-drawn by Ordnance Survey and Samuel Lewis. View all Churchtown maps
Churchtown area books
Displaying 1 of 16 books about Churchtown and the local area. View all books for this area
You can read extracts and browse photos from these books.
Memories of Churchtown
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Lancashire memories
Splashing Through The Ford
We moved from Preston to Garstang in 1960. My sister and I aged 12 and 13, used to cycle all the lanes around Garstang, the Fylde, the Trough of Bowland etc. Once, when we cycled through this ford, my sister who was ahead whizzed through with feet up near the handlebars, creating a bow wave like a curtain of water. I followed more sedately grinning sheepishly at the couple sat on the wall you can see at the side of the ford. They were having a picnick and looking startled and damp. Around the corner my sister had turned around to go back for another go. She hadn't seen the picnickers. I shouted turn around and pedal for your life. We zoomed up the road forking right onto the track through Nicky Nook.
The ford is now piped and Throstle Nest Farm in the background is now a group of rather expensive houses.
St Michaels on Wyre
My dad had a cousin who was Vicar at St Michaels on Wyre during the 1945 - 55 era. His name, Raymond Bell. As a child visiting his parents in Wray, near Hornby during the Second World War years I only met Raymond once. His parents, Rev Alfred Bell and Edith Bell and sister Eileen were in Wray for many years. Raymond sadly died in St Michaels while working in his garden, so I believe. I married and moved to Canada but had no contact with his mother or sister who had moved to a retirement cottage near Lancaster Cathedral, Eileen was in Calderstones hospital near Blackburn as she had a disability. This was a sad story as from what I did hear, Raymond committed suicide. If anyone knows of the family I would appreciate contact. My parents are long gone and I am trying to trace some of the family tree.
Long Summer Holidays
I remember long, warm summer holidays spent at my Nanna and Grandad's farm, 'Toll Bar Farm', when I was a child. I remember helping to call the cows in for milking, the large beasts swaying, their udders heavy with milk. Clip clop they clattered down the main road out the front with traffic waiting patiently, whilst the faithful sheepdog, Meg, nipped their heels and hurried them along. I now live in Australia and see the farm doesn't exist any more, the farmhouse is still there and the shippens and barn have been transformed into a smart barn coversion. I remember Bonds ice cream, dragonflies by the canal, cowslips, primroses and mayflowers. It's a special part of the world and very beautiful. I visit that area every time I come home. I loved helping feeding the calves, rolling out the milk urns, bottling in the diary, helping load up the van and going with my grandad to deliver milk.
Bilsborrow Hall Garden
My great grandfather Thomas Bryce (Born 1869) was employed as a gardener at Bilsborrow Hall. He and his family lived in the Lodge at the end of the lane. If anyone has any information please contact me via this board.. Many thanks
ECCLES FAMILY HISTORY
My great-grandfather, Joseph Eccles, built Bilsborrow Hall. He owned a number of cotton mills in Preston and played cricket for Lancashire. I have just started to look into our family history and will hopefully be able to post more comments later. Thank you for your memory Best wishes Peter Eccles
Bilsborrow
My dad grew up in Bilsborrow in the house next door to the White Bull pub. I spent many a happy day at my nanna and granddad's house. My nanna used to be a cook at Bilsborrow Primary School and my granddad was a bus driver. They were very involved with the community. Our first born son is buried with my grandparents in St Hilda's. I love the place, it is peaceful and beautiful. When I visit to put flowers on our son's grave we always eat at the Roebuck.
How Inskip Has Changed so Little
I have lived in Inskip most of my life, it is a nice little village that has changed very little in the past 32 years of my life. My parents have lived in Inskip over 30 years and my nanna a lot longer. The changes I have noticed are a few more houses, the loss of our shop and post office, and HMS Inskip has changed hands.
