Horwich Heritage was formed in 1985 following a series of public meetings aimed at re-establishing a sense of local pride in the wake of the closure of Horwich Locomotive Works the previous year.

The Society first began holding its meetings in the Public Hall, moving to Horwich Resource Centre in 1990 where its monthly meetings still take place. It opened its first Heritage Centre within the Resource Centre in 1995 and moved into its current premises in 2006. It gratefully acknowledges the support given by Horwich Town Council, Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council and the Resource Centre in the development of its activities.

Membership currently numbers around 200 and the Society not only runs its own Heritage Centre and meetings but produces its own books and DVDs on subjects of local interest.

The groups aims are:

• To stimulate public interest in and appreciation of our area.
• To provide suitable premises for the display of social and industrial history.
• To secure the preservation, conservation and improvement of features of general or historic interest.
• To promote tourism and encourage use of the surrounding countryside as part of a heritage framework.
• To encourage research into the history of Horwich and Rivington and to publish the results.
• To provide a social and educational service, giving advice and information and to act as a coordinating body to cooperate with local services.
• To raise funds to enable the pursuit of our objectives.

On this website you will find details of how to become a member Horwich Heritage, dates of forthcoming meetings and events, a list of publications available frm the society and information about the exhibitions and archives at the Heritage Centre.

As the Society approaches its 34th year, we look forward to further developing our activites based on our much-admired Heritage Centre where we have the opportunity to do justice to the rich and varied history of Horwich and all the people who have helped to make us so proud of the town today.

We hope you find that Horwich Heritage has something to offer and welcome your interest, suggestions and support.

Stuart Whittle, Chairman

 

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Chairman's Message - January 2019

A Happy New Year to you all! Let's hope its another good one for Horwich Heritage and its members and supporters. If you look at the programme, you'll see that we have lots of things planned and, as you'll see below, we have embarked on a number of projects which require your help - so we very much look forward to hearing from you! Best wishes, Stuart Whittle.

• We start our 2019 Open Day/Exhibition programme with a celebration of the 130th birthday of Horwich's first steam locomotive on Sat. 16th March (10am - 1.00pm) - please join us for a piece of birthday cake!

• We have also begun researching our first major project of the year 'The Changing Face of Shopping in Horwich' and would welcome any contributions of photographs, items or memories in time for our Open Day/Exhibition on 11th May.

• This year marks the 60th Anniversary of the opening of the Loco Works Training School (now Alliance Learning) and in April we are planning a re-union of former apprentices/trainees. If you are interested in coming along please ring 847797or contact us via Facebook.

• Our 2nd major research project this year involves the commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the start of WWII in September and we would love to hear from anyone who was a child in the war or had relatives who served or fought (or maybe served/fought themselves!). We are currently compiling a Roll of Honour for those who died.

• The meal & re-enactment of the infamous 'Murder on the Moor' (180th Anniversary) at the Blundell Arms in November was greatly enjoyed by those who attended - so much so that we are doing it again on Wed. 17th April (the anniversary of the trial). Please book early as there are only 36 tickets available (price £16)

As part of our service to the public of Horwich, we are looking to expand our rota of Volunteers who look after the Horwich Heritage Centre, so if you can spare just a couple of hours a month and are interested in local history, please contact Les Duckworth on 696799.

 

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Download Our 2019 Programme

Our 2019 programme has now been finalised, featuring our popular Open Days, Monthly Meetings and Joining Information.

You can download your own PDF copy by clicking here: Horwich Heritage - Events Programme 2019

 

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