New heritage plaques unveiled
SPOT the plaques and lose a couple of pounds in the process!
That's the hope that members of Longridge Heritage Committee (LHC) had when they launched the second batch of blue plaques commemorating the town's historic buildings.
LHC chairman John Earnshaw welcomed guests to the launch at The Palace Cinema where a plaque was already in place, marking its earlier life as a handloom weaving centre.
He said: "We want the people of Longridge to know all about the new plaques. Who knows, some may be inspired to walk off their Christmas dinners by searching out the plaques and enjoying reading about the history of their town!"
Seven more of the distinctive plaques, cast in aluminium and finished in blue and white, complete a total of 15 which trace the history and growth of Longridge, from its beginnings at Fell End to a former mill site now occupied by Booths supermarket.
At The Palace launch, hosted by the cinema's owner Dorothy Williams, Longridge mayor Coun David Moon - who is also an LHC member - congratulated the committee on completing the second phase of the plaque project to such a high degree of success.
The other sites in this second group are the former Crampoaks Mill now occupied by Booths; Stone Bridge over the old railway line; Houghton's funeral parlour at Fell End which was formerly a school for boys and the area signified as at the 'end of the fell' when Longridge began; St Wilfrid's RC Church, and at the entrance to the old quarries in Higher Road.
Two more plaques are ready for erection: one for St Lawrence's Church, when the church authorities have been able to complete the necessary formalities, and the other for The Old Station Buildings, when these have been renovated.
All the plaques have been made by Leander Architectural Foundry of Derbyshire.
"The Heritage Committee is very grateful to Ribble Valley Borough Council for meeting most of the cost," said Mr Earnshaw at the launch.
"We also thank Longridge Town Council for agreeing to act as sponsors and to the incorporation of the town crest in the design, Longridge and District Local History Society for a welcome financial contribution, Lancashire County Council for undertaking the design work and to the owners of the locations concerned."
Other members of the heritage committee which produced the plaques are Adrian Dowd, Derek Hicks, Jean Hill, Mike Keeney, Richard Kirkby, Helen Lindsay, Stuart Reese and Anne Smith.
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Last Updated:
02 January 2008 2:21 PM
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Location:
Longridge