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Showing posts from July, 2025

Thomas Blackburn and Sons Foundry in Preston

Thomas Blackburn and Sons When I am out and about, there aren't many things I don't survey with regard to trying to understand their historical context.  One of the things I am always looking for are old place signs.  I am keen to identify where they have originated and I'm particularly happy if I can trace them back to Preston.  It's not uncommon that I do. Many around Lancashire were made at Thomas Blackburn and Sons.  I have spotted them in lots of places, but the most recent one was in Langho.  If you have ever spotted them before, then you will probably recognise the design.  The casting that makes the pillar normally has the name on. A Road sign in Langho from a Foundry in Preston A Road sign in Langho from a Foundry in Preston A Road sign in Langho from Thomas Blackburn and Sons Foundry in Preston  ~ I haven't been able to find a great deal of information but, looking at 'Grace's Guide To British Industrial History', it appears that the Company ...

Walton Lodge, The Seat of William Calrow Esquire in 1846

Walton Lodge, The Seat of William Calrow Esquire in 1846 Walton Lodge was large property and estate that was once situated at the top of what we now know as Chruch Brow, in Walton le Dale, which leads onto Cuerdale Lane. In some cases, it was referred to as Cuerdale Lodge. The property was originally created by Mr. Richard Calrow. It is said that the mansion of the Calrows at Walton Lodge was built partially of the bricks brought from the demolished Mosney works. An Illustration of Walton Lodge   CALROW OF WALTON LODGE Richard Calrow of Adlington, Co. Chester, was father of Richard Calrow of Bury, Co. Lancaster, who purchased the Walton Lodge estate in this township. The son, Richard Calrow, Esq., of Walton Lodge, had sons, William ; and Thomas Calrow, Esq., of Woodhill, near Bury. He died, aged 71, in 1830, and was buried at Walton Church. The Mosney firm of calico printers extended their works, and for some years prosecuted a flourishing business, and bore a high reputa...

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...