Burnley, Mechanics' Institute 1895
Photo ref: 35787
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Photo ref: 35787
Photo of Burnley, Mechanics' Institute 1895

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The Institute was opened in 1855 by Colonel Charles Townley; it was a haven for apprentices taking on night-school to further their careers, and for youngsters wanting to better themselves. It is still there today as an Arts Centre and the Tourist Information Centre. Burnley Town Hall peeps out from behind the Institute. The Institute held school prize givings as well as large dinners; then it became the New Empress Night Club in 1963, and after that a Bingo Hall. Queen Elizabeth II came and re-opened the restored, re-designed Mechanics Institute on 12 November 1987.

An extract from Heart of Lancashire Photographic Memories.

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Heart of Lancashire Photographic Memories

Heart of Lancashire Photographic Memories

The photo 'Burnley, Mechanics' Institute 1895' appears in this book.

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A Selection of Memories from Burnley

For many years now, we've been inviting visitors to our website to add their own memories to share their experiences of life as it was, prompted by the photographs in our archive. Here are some from Burnley

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Born in Búrnley about a hundred years ago - lived @ 70 Cleaver St from 1974/6, then moved all over the place; now in Herts -sun shines more but they don't have any hills!
I was brought up on Cleaver St. Remember what a lovely shopping area Duke Bar was. .Mrs Tattersalls. Spencers Bakery .Dewhurst Butchers. Wilkinsons Dainty shop. Redmonds Grocers Mrs Bells and Rennie cloggers on Hebrew Road..Every Thing you needed on your doorstep.Brilliant.
I've just read about a man who worked at Platers and Stampers for a year and hated it. I worked at Hapton Valley Pit for 2 years and in that time helped to carry out 3 dead bodies on separate occasions. I decided that it was not for me and decided also to join the RAF in late 1955. After 38 years of the RAF I retired with a very senior rank and a good pension. We now reside quietly in rural Lincolnshre. It is ...see more
My uncle lived at no 6. Does anyone remember them from the 1920's they were the Brooks and lived there into the 90's!! I lived in Belvedere rd in the 40's and remember visiting them in Dukebar.