It is a busy next few weeks for staff, Trustees and volunteers at the Chorley Remembers project.
Chorley Cenotaph
We are staging a one-day exhibition on Sunday, 17th July at the Coach House adjacent to Astley Hall in Chorley. The event is from 10.00 a.m. until 4.00 p.m. and admission is free. It will feature images, stories and memorabilia of the men and women from the town who fought in conflicts over the years, as well as outlining some of the projects aims.
Project Manager, Nikki Davidson-Kerr says “We wish to engage with all members of the community about the project, at the same time encouraging everyone to learn more about the town’s involvement in both World Wars, the Home Guard, National Service and even the ROF at Euxton over the years”.
The National Lottery supported project has to raise some £20,000 towards placing the names on the town’s war memorial at the entrance to Astley Park, and have already raised in excess of £3,000.
To support the appeal fund, Brindle based historian and author, Chorley Pals Memorial Co-Founder, Steve Williams, is giving an illustrated talk entitled ‘Pals, Terriers & Tommies’ about men from the town who fought in the First World War. That will be at 8.00 p.m. on Friday, 22nd July at Brindle Community Hall and tickets are just £5.00, with all proceeds going towards the appeal.
Lottery Bid
Trustees recently submitted a bid for £270,000 of funding from the National Lottery to complete the project, with a decision due on the 15th September. Once funding is obtained, they intend to go out to public consultation in respect of plans for the town’s War Memorial and improvements to the Memorial Room in Astley Hall.
Commenting on the application, Trustee Steve Williams said “We are hopeful of getting the funding but nothing has nor can be decided until we know the outcome of the meeting of the Heritage Lottery Fund Board in Manchester during September. Plans drawn up and submitted to them recently were for initial costing purposes and will not be finalised until we get feedback from the people of Chorley later in the year”.
