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The Society regularly
holds events in the community
We are also asked to participate in a number of events, such as
school reunions etc.
For more info, email the Heritage Society Chairman Eddie
Appleton |
Pictures from our Sandy Lane event are available to view here |
Pictures from our Bickerstaffe photo exhibition are available to view here |
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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." |
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We are holding a SANDY LANE EVENING at Skem British Legion on 12th September.
Doors open at 7:30pm and there is no charge for entry.
There will be a special DVD on sale on the night showing pictures of old Sandy Lane as well as photo stands.
The idea is that people come along and give us their memories of Sandy Lane. We're also compiling a list of shops that used to be on the Lane so any help would be much appreciated. All are most welcome to attend and relive memories of Old Skem. |
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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
Also, please feel free to share you memories of Billy in our guestbook, here
Billy's funeral will took place next Thursday 12.30pm at St Pauls Church in Old Skem. |
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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.
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. |
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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." |
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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. |
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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. |
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Newly appointed Officers for 2006/07 Eddie Appleton (Chairman), Joan Matthews (Vice Chairman) and Marianne Humphreys (Secretary). Also elected but not pictured is Treasurer John McCarthy. |
Skelmersdale Heritage Society's Annual General Meeting for 2006 was held at the British Legion, Liverpool Rd on the 6th of June. The meeting was opened by the Chairman Eddie Appleton who made a statement regarding the last 12 months and handed out a copy of the Society Finances and the Constitution.
New officers were then appointed for the forthcoming year. Chairman Eddie Appleton was re-elected, as was Treasurer John McCarthy. Congratulations to last year's Secretary Joan Matthews who was elected to the post of Vice Chairman. She has been succeeded by Marriane Humphreys.
The Chairman then proceeded with the meetings, which included discussions on a number of projects for the coming year. |
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 |
Click here to find out more |
Click here to find out more |
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Skem Heritage Society is providing an online forum for Skemmers old and new to swap information on the town's past.
It is hoped the guestbook will become a focal point for those wanting to discuss any issues relating to Skelmersdale.
So please feel free to have your say by clicking here |
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THE battle to save one of Skelmersdale's oldest buildings has finally been won.
Park County Primary School in Barnes Road has been empty for 10 months, but is now set to become a new children's centre.
Since the closure of the school last summer, local history campaigners feared it would become derelict.
Instead, Lancashire County Council is applying for permission to refurbish it as the new headquarters of Sure Start, which provides support for young families.
Eddie Appleton at Skelmersdale's Heritage Society and an ex-pupil of the school, said he was delighted at the decision.
"I think it's wonderful what they are doing with the school. It was extremely sad when the future of the school was in jeopardy and now it will be put to the best use possible. It can continue to be a vital piece of the community."
Park County was originally called Barnes Road School and is one of the few old buildings that escaped bulldozers in the Sixties.
Famous landmarks such as Stormy Corner, Skelmersdale Town Hall and Digmoor Hall Farm were not so lucky.
Sure Start will now become known as Children's Centres and will offer three centres in total around Skelmersdale.
The other two centres will be located at St John's Primary School in Birch Green as well as at the existing Sure Start centre for Digmoor and Tanhouse.
Angela Aspinwall-Livesey, head at St John's School, is chair of the project.
She said: "We should be up and running by March 2006. There is a real need to put communities at the heart of these decisions; Skelmersdale is a community-driven place.
"The community have told us what they want and now we can make the scheme as large as they want.
"We could have endless community services at each centre, depending on parents ' choices."
Each centre will provide 52 places for babies and toddlers.
* For further details contact Angela Aspinwall-Livesey on 721323.
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CROWDS flocked to an exhibition depicting scenes of Skelmersdale in its pre-New Town days.
Around 200 people attended the event, arranged by Skelmersdale Heritage Society, at the Busy Bee pub, Kiln Lane.
More similar exhibitions are now in the pipeline, including an appearance at The Respect Festival held at the Ecumenical Centre in May.
Talks are also in progress about featuring it at Skelmersdale Library during Local History Month.
Chairman Eddie Appleton said: "It was a fantastic evening, people were literally standing shoulder-to-shoulder because it was so busy.
"Photographs of Sandy Lane were of particular interest to a lot of people. There were a lot of Old Skemmers there - some had come from Wigan, Standish and even Southport.
"New Towners who attended were telling me that since moving they have grown to love Skelmersdale and become more interested in its history.
"The encouraging thing is that we have also recruited some more members, which is excellent.
"My thanks go out to all who attended, as well as Ian Parry and Kim Buoey from Westgate Interactive and Arthur Adlen, of West Lancs CVS.
"I must also mention the fantastic coverage given to us by the Skelmersdale Advertiser."
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PLANS for a lasting memorial to the town's mining past are gathering pace.
Skelmersdale Heritage Society has put together funding bids in the hope of placing a life-sized statue of a coal miner in a prominent position in the old town.
And the group is also set to make its mark by reaching out to the community by holding an open evening sometime soon.
Chairman Eddie Appleton said: "We would like vistors to come along and hopefully we will be able to put on a display of how Skelmersdale used to be. There will also be items for sale."
Skelmersdale Heritage Society was formed last year by a group of local history enthusiasts who are keen to see the town's largely forgotten past remembered.
Eddie added: "There is nothing to suggest that Skelmersdale was once a thriving mining town.
"It has changed beyond recognition since the advent of the New Town in the 1960s and a lot of people don't know much about its past.
"Indeed, we would like to help schoolchildren understand how the town has changed. Recently one of our members went to Glenburn High School to give a talk on it."
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Pictures from our Bickerstaffe photo exhibition are available to view here
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A Picture from the Respect fesitval is available to view here
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Pictures from our Lancashire Night are available to view here
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Image available here |
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