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Churchtown

Churchtown photos (8 available)

Old photo of Churchtown

Churchtown maps (2 available)

Old map of Churchtown

Churchtown books (15 available)

Churchtown memories

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You can also read memories of nearby places in Lancashire below.

Lancashire memories

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.      
A memory of Bilsborrow contributed by Kathryn Heathcote

Shovels Inn - 1952 to 1971

Hambleton, the Shovels Inn c1955

My grandparents, John & Betty Whiteside, were Landlord & Landlady of The Shovels Inn 1952-1971. I was born in 1955 and clearly remeber the pub as it was then, before they tore down walls! The old men of the village taught me how to play dominoes in one of the little rooms that used to be off the main bar. As you walked through the door there used to be an open fire on the right with the dartboard above it. On the photograph, on the extreme right, just outlined against the white building, you can see the petrol pump which was used to fill the charabancs that used to call at the pub on day trips to the Over Wyre ...read more here
A memory of Hambleton contributed by Lynda James

Roundhouse

I went to what we used to call the school on the hill. I lived in Knott End and sometimes when we were rich we'd go to school on the bus, but if not it was your two feet that got you there, anyway my memory relates to the roundhouse, it was a toffee shop when we were kids, things you could get for a penny and when you had tuppence, well I guess you were rich, anyway when I had bus money for coming home after school and depending on the weather, if it was nice I would give in to temptation and nip into the roundhouse. Trying to make a selection from all the toffees and treats was a ...read more here
A memory of Preesall contributed by Eric Butler

Crabbing

Knott End-On-Sea, the Ferry and Slipway c1950

Iam not sure how close Iam on the date, however when we where kids, me and my friends would spend most of the day in the summer holidays with string and safety pin, stick some muscle meat on it from the muscle bed from the other side of the jetty, and then we'd tie a stone to the string and then lower this down the side of the jetty to catch an unexpecting crab, you had to be very careful pulling it up from the water as sometimes the crab would fall back in the water, then you'd have to start again, but we would have great fun watching the crabs running all over the place, especially when the tourists where ...read more here
A memory of Knott End-On-Sea contributed by Eric Butler

Extracts From Churchtown & Lancashire books

Churchtown, the Parish Church c1955

The ancient church of St Helen, known as ‘the cathedral of the Fylde’, dates from the 12th century and was once the parish church for Garstang, two miles away. A brass chandelier presented by a local builder after one of the River Wyre’s severe floods was stolen about twelve years ago, but it was fortunately retrieved. There is a Norman font and a very old pulpit. In the churchyard are a number of interesting graves, including those of a medieval knight and of one of the Young Pretender’s soldiers.
An extract from from"The Fylde Photographic Memories".

Churchtown, the Swing Bridge and River Wyre c1955

This frail-looking bridge was one of a number spanning the River Wyre; it was frequently damaged when floods occurred. When it was in need of repair controversy arose over who should foot the bill—in 1885 Garstang Highways Board refused to do so. The last flood damage was in 1980. Fortunately, a stronger bridge was officially opened by the Vicar of Churchtown in 1984.
An extract from from"The Fylde Photographic Memories".

Churchtown, Horns Inn and Church Road c1960

Many Fylde inns were named ‘Horns’, presumably harking back to the days when herds of deer roamed here. Some inns of that name sported splendid antlers as inn signs, as at Goosnargh. An American wanted to buy the sign at Garstang, but the innkeeper refused to sell. Further along Church Road is the lovely building designed by John Carr of York, Kirkland Hall. John Carr of York also designed Lytham Hall.
An extract from from"The Fylde Photographic Memories".

Morecambe, West End 1899

The southern part of Morecambe was always referred to as the West End. Here we see the exclusive part of Morecambe. Our view takes in Werwick’s Revolving Tower and shows what working-class people did for their week’s holiday: they sat and relaxed and took in the sea air.
An extract from from"Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham Pocket Album".

Lancaster, the Town Hall 1886

The old Town Hall was erected around 1781 on the site of an earlier town hall. Major Thomas Jarratt was the designer of the building, which opened in 1783. Market Square is the open area in front of the Town Hall, and Market Street runs to the left. The locals liked the large Tuscan portico and its four plain columns. The cupola and top were designed by Thomas Harrison, and were added just after the building opened. Harrison also designed Skerton Bridge. The total cost of the building was £2,054 13s 7d, including a £20 bonus that Mr Dickinson, one of the builders, had thought due to him.
An extract from from"Lancaster, Morecambe and Heysham Pocket Album".