The Francis Frith Collection.
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2008 Christmas Gift Guide - great gifts for your family and friends

Whalley

Whalley photos (30 available)

Old photo of Whalley

Whalley maps (2 available)

Old map of Whalley

Whalley books (6 available)

Whalley memories

The place where I was born

I was born in Whalley, in the second cottage opposite the Catholic Church in the Sands, in December 1924. Next door to us was Mr Sutton who was well known around Whalley for his ice cream. He used to stand outside the abbey gates with his ice cream and he always had raspberry vinegar to put on top of the cones. I went to Whalley C of E School.  Mr J Chew was the headmaster, Miss Edith as we knew her was my kindergarten teacher, other teachers I remember were Miss Forster, Miss Baxter [ who I was in Love with], Miss Roberts, Miss Dyson. I was in the church choir when I was 7, also the Boy Scouts when I ...read more here
Contributed by Trevor Williams

Lancashire memories

The place where I was born

I was born in Whalley, in the second cottage opposite the Catholic Church in the Sands, in December 1924. Next door to us was Mr Sutton who was well known around Whalley for his ice cream. He used to stand outside the abbey gates with his ice cream and he always had raspberry vinegar to put on top of the cones. I went to Whalley C of E School.  Mr J Chew was the headmaster, Miss Edith as we knew her was my kindergarten teacher, other teachers I remember were Miss Forster, Miss Baxter [ who I was in Love with], Miss Roberts, Miss Dyson. I was in the church choir when I was 7, also the Boy Scouts when I ...read more here
A memory of Whalley contributed by Trevor Williams

Schoolboy memories

Born at the Risedale Maternity Home in 1933 we first lived in James Street. I think it was 1937 when we moved to Clevelands Avenue in the new Beacon Hill estate. Barrow was bombed in May 1941 but it was the older part of the town that suffered the most damage. I recall, as a boy, going round the streets looking for shrapnel from the AA guns I suppose. It didn't half tear holes in our pockets. Of course it was the shipyard that was the main target, but we could also see the flames from Liverpool on tha horizon.
In 1945 I started at Barrow Grammar school under Mr SM Price the headmaster. Very ...read more here
A memory of Barrow contributed by David Norman

friends

Sabden, Whalley Road from Stuttards Mill c1955

I GREW UP IN SABDEN AND HAVE MANY FOND MEMORIES I LIVED IN WATT STREET BEFORE MOVING TO CLITHEROE RD I WENT TO ST MARYS SCHOOL. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM OLD SCHOOL PALS .MY NAME WAS TAYLOR
A memory of Sabden contributed by jean clark

Extracts From Whalley & Lancashire books

Blackburn, the Town Hall c1955

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".

Blackburn, Exchange 1899

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".

Blackburn, the Town Hall c1955

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".

Burnley, the Art Gallery, Towneley Hall c1955

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".

Burnley, the Chapel, Towneley Hall c1955

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".