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Preston Industrial Institution for the Employment and Education of the Blind

Preston Industrial Institution for the Employment and Education of the Blind Preston Industrial Institution for the Employment and Education of the Blind A History of Preston in Amounderness BY H. W. CLEMESHA, M.A. (Henry Wordsworth Clemesha) The most considerable benefaction that the town has yet received was obtained under the Will of Edmund Robert Harris , a local solicitor, and a son of the Revd. Robert Harris, headmaster of the Grammar School from 1788 to 1835 and incumbent of St. George's from 1797 to 1862. Edmund Robert Harris, a local solicitor from Preston Owing to the courtesy of Messrs. W. Banks & Co., of Preston, who were the solicitors to the trustees, I am able to give the following figures, which though not furnishing a complete list of his benefactions, show how largely Preston has benefited under Mr. Harris's Will: Preston Industrial Institution for the employment and education of the blind £500 Foundation of scholarships at the Preston Grammar School £3,00...
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The Most Blitzed Village in Preston District

The Most Blitzed Village in the Preston District I recently visited the Old Church of All Saints in Becconsall, which is now in West Lancashire, but used to be in the Preston Rural District.  I had gone there to take some photographs to upload to the Historic England Missing Pieces Project on their website.  The building is listed on the National Heritage List for England (NHLE).  The Old Church in Becconsall is listed on the National Heritage List for England   Whilst the church was on my list, the main reason for visiting the Old Church was to have a look at the gravestones. A trip like this would normally be to perhaps look at the graves of specific people with historical interest.  However, on this occasion, it was to examine the condition of the gravestones in the north west corner of the graveyard and explore their history.   Bomb damage to a number of the gravestones at the church Bomb damage to a number of the gravestones at the church Whilst r...
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Who will restore these plaques, from the richly ornamented exterior of the Town Hall?

Who will restore these plaques? This is an article taken from a local newspaper.  It shows Mr Bill Crossley, a technician in Preston Polytechnic's building department, pictured with one of the stone plaques from the old Town Hall, which were stored at the former "Junior Tech" in Corporation Street for 20 years. Who will restore these plaques? SEVERAL finely sculpted stone plaques which, when first revealed to the people of Preston 116 years ago evoked unprecedented excitement and admiration, now lie forlorn at a Preston college. My story (May 3) of the opening of Preston's magnificent Victorian Gothic Town Hall in 1867, its virtual destruction by fire in 1947, and its final disappearance in 1962, brought a telephone call from Mr Bill Crossley, a technician in the building department of Preston Polytechnic. In my story I'd mentioned the fine stonework on the richly ornamented exterior of the Town Hall, including & series of plaques illustrating the industries ...
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Visiting The Leyland Heritage Centre 2024

Visiting The Leyland Heritage Centre 2024 Leyland Heritage Centre was open on Hough Lane for approximately six months over the winter, and contained artefacts from the likes of Iddon Brothers, the town bleach works, Leyland Motors, Leyland Paints and the rubber works.  It also featured interviews with staff members, from from labourers to managing directors.  This was its second time of opening. It was all the idea of the Leyland Historical Society, who wanted to celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2018 with several special projects.  The group managed to attract a Heritage Lottery Grant, and set about producing a new edition of their Industrial Heritage of Leyland and Farington book.  They then took over an empty shop in Hough Lane to show what the society had discovered about the history of Leyland over the previous 50 years.   Leyland Heritage Centre was open on Hough Lane for approximately six months In 2024, they were able to open the Leyland Heritage ...
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Cuerden Hall - The Seat of Robert Townley Parker, Esquire M.P.

Cuerden Hall - The Seat of Robert Townley Parker, Esquire M.P. Cuerden Hall | Stately Home - The Seat of Robert Townley Parker, Esquire M.P. I recently had a wander around Cuerden Valley Park, as its known these days.  I was looking at the lake, which was previously a reservoir that served Cuerden Hall.  That might be a future post.  However, I also had a wander around the perimeter of what is now the grounds of Cuerden Hall.  This area is very much diminished in size from the original boundaries of the estate, which has been carved up by the M6 & M65 Motorways over the years.  First Edition Ordnance Survey Map, 1848, showing 'Cuerden Hall Demesne' Cuerden Hall has being undergoing renovation work since 2021.  I last visited in 2013, when it was the Sue Ryder Care Home.  I'm annoyed with myself that I didn't take any photos.  I helped a local charity with a dog show that was run in the grounds in 2013 and, whilst I did catch the building in th...
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