Longridge Civic Hall
The Heritage Centre was busy with visitors as we celebrated Heritage Open Weekend with a pop-up museum and corridor displays on September 9th. Volunteers had chosen artefacts not normally on view to go on show, ranging from clogs to family bibles, toys to telephones. The dress worn by the first Rose Queen in 1925 and the tiara awarded to the last Cotton Queen in Lancashire in 1939 were of particular interest and remain among our treasured pieces.
In October our thoughts and displays turn to the Longridge Civic Hall, celebrating 50 years of serving the community this year. In 1967 Longridge Council member David Coulston and others initiated a scheme to bring back the Field Day, which had not taken place for some years. Catchily named CP67 (Community Project 67), this proved a great success. At the time the main community space in the village was the Co-op Hall, which was becoming less suitable for modern use due to its location at the top a a steep flight of stairs and the increasing need to comply with safety regulations. The CP67 group set about fundraising through events and donations towards building a more modern meeting place for the town. A deal was done with the railway company to acquire land on what would become Willows Park Lane where sidings were being taken up following the final closure of the line. After much hard work by the group, in May 1973 David Coulston, by then Chairman of Longridge UDC, opened the new hall, built by local builders Walter Carefoot & Sons.
Longridge Civic Hall remains a popular venue for a wide range of events. The large hall accommodates up to 350 people, the stage hosts concerts (in particular by the Longridge Band) and dramatic productions, there is a weekly market and regular playgroups, fitness classes, craft and book fair and the Hall is home to Longridge Community Gym .
The ‘Friends of Longridge Civic Hall’ continue the tradition of voluntary support and fund raising to keep this facility open. The 60 year lease from RVBC preserves the use of the Hall for the inhabitants of the Parish of Longridge and surrounding areas.
The Longridge Heritage Centre is open between 10 and 2, Monday to Friday. We sell a selection of cards, books, maps, local photographs and small gifts. Our corridor displays can be seen during Station opening times of 9 to 4, Monday to Saturday.
The Old Station, Berry Lane, Longridge PR3 3JP
Tel: 01772 437958 Email