My Lancashire - My accounts of the local area

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...

PRESTON BANKING COMPANY SOUTHPORT LORD STREET TOWN TRAIL HALLS OF THE GODS Classical architecture ruled when the banks competed with each other for solidity and splendour. Built by the Preston Banking Company in 1888 to the designs of E.W. Johnson, the Preston coat of arms is carved in stone. This bank has one of the finest Corinthian facades in the north of England. SOUTHPORT CIVIC SOCIETY Lord Street Town Trail | Preston Banking Company ~ Preston Banking Company The Preston Banking Company was a significant financial institution based in Preston during the 19th and early 20th centuries.  It appears to have origins that date back as far as 1776, making it one of the oldest provincial banks in England. A Sculpture on Preston Banking Company Building in Southport Founding and Early History The bank was established as a private bank by a group of local businessmen and merchants to provide financial services to the growing commercial and industrial sectors in Preston. Initially, it wo...

Sculptures of some of the Former Mayors of Preston  Recently, I was fortunate to able to look at some of the marble sculptures created by Thomas Duckett on display at Preston's Town Hall.  I visited with a recently formed Local Heritage Pressure Group called ' Preserving Preston’s Heritage ', of which I am a founder member.  We were invited to have a look at the inside of the building and the Mayor's parlour with current Mayor, Councillor Philip Crowe, who is Preston's 696th Mayor.  They are of: Alderman Thomas Miller (1811–1865)  Mayor 1820, 1826 & 1835 - sculpted in 1870 This sculpture is thought to have been damage during the fire that destroyed the old Town Hall in 1947. . Alderman William Taylor (died 1852)  Mayor 1842 - 1843 - sculpted in 1852 . Alderman John Addison (1791–1859)  Mayor 1832 & 1843 - 1844 - sculpted in 1861 . Alderman Thomas German (died1847)  Mayor 1845 - 1846 - sculpted in 1847 ~ Alderman Thomas Miller (1811–18...

Gamonia - Or to give it its full title, 'Gamonia: or, the Art of Preserving Game'.  Gamonia is a book about game shooting that is renowned for its detailed descriptions of game preservation and hunting practices. The book features illustrations by J. T. Rawlins, depicting various hunting scenes in Penwortham in the estate of Penwortham Priory.  The word "Gamonia" appears to have been coined specifically for the book and does not seem to have a broader historical or linguistic usage outside this context. Gamonia - Penwortham with conclusion of a Battue . Penwortham Priory was first a Benedictine priory and then, after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, a country house.  The latter was demolished a hundred years ago. The Rawsthorne family lived at the Priory from 1783. In the mid-19th century they employed the architect George Webster to redesign the house.  This architect also designed Bank Hall at Bretherton. Penwortham Priory from the LCC Red Rose Collections The ...