Balderstone
Balderstone maps (2 available)
Map of Lancashire
Beautifully hand-drawn and coloured, dating from around 1840
See this old map of Lancashire
Personalised maps
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Balderstone books (6 available)
Balderstone memories
Read and share memories of Balderstone and Lancashire inspired by Frith photos
Living there
As a young boy I used to stay at my aunt's house in Commons Lane. It may well be the house pictured? During summer school hols my brother Ken and I were often taken by our 'mam' on the Ribble bus to Mellor Brook, from where we had to walk to get to auntie's house, probably about 3 to 4 miles. The whole outing was someting of an adventure as often we were accompanied by mam's friend(s) and their offspring.
In good weather we could run ahead and play in a small wood until the grown ups caught up. If we were only going for the day the time sped by and the reverse journey could be tiring, and we were ...read more here
Contributed by First name Last name
Lancashire memories
Living there
As a young boy I used to stay at my aunt's house in Commons Lane. It may well be the house pictured? During summer school hols my brother Ken and I were often taken by our 'mam' on the Ribble bus to Mellor Brook, from where we had to walk to get to auntie's house, probably about 3 to 4 miles. The whole outing was someting of an adventure as often we were accompanied by mam's friend(s) and their offspring.
In good weather we could run ahead and play in a small wood until the grown ups caught up. If we were only going for the day the time sped by and the reverse journey could be tiring, and we were ...read more here
A memory of Balderstone contributed by First name Last name
Pheasant Beating
I spent many a Saturday, walking the woods of the tower, beating sticks and making noise.
After a good 8 hours trudging up and down slopes and in the mud, they feed us a bowl of bad stew and beer. There was always a joke about who got the only piece of meat. I was the lucky recipient once, had to eat it quick tho.
I remember all the shooters in the next room having a meal and trying to catch a glimpse of the glamourous life, thru a crack in the door.
Not an old memory yet, but it will be eventually.
A memory of Hoghton contributed by vicky keating
Front Page News
My nannie was born in Higher Walton, Catherine Hawker. When she was 6 or 7 she was in the paper for stealing a shawl and pawning it to feed her brother as her father had to go to sea. I want to find out if there is any chance we can get that paper, can anyone help?
A memory of Higher Walton contributed by tracie priestley
Extracts From Balderstone & 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".