Events in 2006

16th September 2006

Sandy Lane Evening Pictures

View the pictures  from our Sandy Lane event.

9th – 16th August 2006

Bickerstaffe Photo Exhibition, Four Lane Ends Mission

View pictures from our Bickerstaffe Photo Exhibition.

20th July 2006

‘At risk’ listed building saved and up for sale

By David Sudworth, Skelmersdale Advertiser

THE future of an historic Skelmersdale farm building has been secured … if the council can find a buyer.

Whiteledge Farm on Spencers Lane, Digmoor, has been vacant since West Lancs Play Association quit the premises earlier this year.

Fears were raised about its future when the owners – West Lancashire District Council – announced it was planning to sell off the 17th century Grade II listed site.

The old building is on the council’s “at risk register” and needs urgent costly repairs.

Councillors have agreed to put it up for sale with a clause that work must be undertaken by the newowners to effectively safeguard its future.

The report said: “It is considered the most appropriate way of securing the necessary funding is to dispose of it on the open market. The council could include a covenant that the purchaser carries out a schedule of worksto the property within agiven time which would prevent any further decline in the fabric of the building and secure its future.”

Skelmersdale Heritage Society has campaigned to save Whiteledge.

Chairman Eddie Appleton said: “It’s great news. We sent a letter to the council highlighting our concerns and it appears they have taken them on board.

“Weknew West Lancs would eventuallywant to get rid of Whiteledge, but our main concern was whether the building would be knocked down. Obviously, with it being of significant historical importance we would have been very much against that.

“We now just hope that even when the farm is sold off, the council will continue to monitor the situation to ensure the terms of sale are adhered to.”

9th July 2006

Billy Croft 1933-2006

Tributes to Billy Croft

Skem Utd’s Club Website has announced the sad passing of life-long supporter Mr Billy Croft.

He died following a stroke at the Birch Green Care Home on July 4th. He was 72 years old and a true Skem legend.

A statement read…

“Billy Croft…Skelmersdale United’s greatest ever supporter sadly passed away this morning…he was a true ‘Legend’ and will be sadly missed by all those connected with the club…”

A Book of Condolence has been set up on Skem Utd’s website.

Billy’s funeral will took place next Thursday 12.30pm at St Pauls Church in Old Skem.

9th July 2006

Whiteledge: Council Report

Whiteledge Farm

West Lancashire Councils report into Whiteledge Farm was published on the Council Website this week, and it looks like good news for the Heritage Society.

The Council favours ‘disposing’ of the land and building, but has put a caveat in whereby anyone who buys it must retain the Building and do repairs.

If Councillors agree to this, and they meet at West lancs Cabinet meeting on July 11th, 7:30pm in Committee Rooms 2 & 3, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk then it will be a victory for Skelmersdale Heritage Society who wants the building to be retained.

Letter regarding Whiteledge Farm

Our Chairman Eddie Appleton sent a letter to West Lancs two weeks ago asking that the Building be retain and not redeveloped as a housing estate project.

The letter states ….

“We wish to let it be known that we would strongly object to anything which would harm the future of the actual building.

Whiteledge Farm is one of Skelmersdale’s oldest building as it dates back to 1693 and at one time is said to have been a shepherd’s cottage.

As you will be aware, much of Skelmersdale’s heritage was destroyed when the new town was being built through the 60′s and 70′s, which obviously makes this an extremely important landmark. Anything which threatens its status as a building of significant historical interest to Skelmersdale and, in particular, the Digmoor area would be opposed by the Society.”

Whiteledge Farm

Chairman’s letter to West Lancs

Whiteledge Farm

Letter regarding Whiteledge Farm

Skelmersdale Heritage Society Chairman Eddie Appleton has sent an official letter to West Lancashire District Council regarding its plans to ‘dispose’ of the Farm as part of their Forward Plan. The Society is concerned about what will become of th 17th century building and has sought clarification on a number of issues.

The letter states….

“We wish to let it be known that we would strongly object to anything which would harm the future of the actual building.
Whiteledge Farm is one of Skelmersdale’s oldest building as it dates back to 1693 and at one time is said to have been a shepherd’s cottage.

As you will be aware, much of Skelmersdale’s heritage was destroyed when the new town was being built through the 60′s and 70′s, which obviously makes this an extremely important landmark. Anything which threatens its status as a building of significant historical interest to Skelmersdale and, in particular, the Digmoor area would be opposed by the Society.”

A report is due out shortly on the matter and it will be debated during the West lancs Cabinet meeting on July 11th, 7:30pm in Committee Rooms 2 & 3, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk, L39 2DF.

Whiteledge Farm & Spencers Lane issues

Whiteledge Farm & Spencers Lane

Skelmersdale Heritage Society is concerned about plans in the Spencers Lane area especially at Whiteledge Farm, a 17th Century building.

Our Chairman Eddie Appleton has sought a meeting with Council Officers to discuss the situation. Below is a story on this issue which appeared in the Skelmersdale Advertiser on May 18th.

Ormskirk Advertiser article

Click here to find out more

This needs sorting

Skelmersdale Advertiser article

Click here to find out more

This needs sorting

30th March 2006

Skelmersdale Advertiser article