Astley memories project set to continue

The great Astley Hall in Chorley celebrated 100 years of being open to the public last year by inviting people to share their memories and stories.

The project has been such a success that it will live on, creating a legacy of the 100-year celebration and allowing even more people to take part in years to come.

Funded by the Government’s UK Shared Prosperity scheme, the Arts Council and Museum Development North, the project reached thousands of people who visited the hall, enjoyed exhibitions, took part in events, engaged in workshops and participated in interviews, adding to what is known about the hall for future generations to enjoy.

From individuals with treasured memories from many years ago, to community groups who visit to this day, people from all over the country have been in touch to explain just what Astley Hall means to them.

Linda Giller got in touch to explain how the memory of Astley Hall lives on in Cheshire saying, “Between the years of 1962-1976 I lived in a house named Astley House in Wheelock Cheshire. The reason it was named this was because my parents did their ‘courting’ in the grounds of Astley Hall in 1938-1942.

‘’So dear was the memory of this time for my parents that they named their house after it and to this day the house is still called Astley House. My family moved away to Cheshire in 1960 but my granddaughter has met a Chorley native and it is she who now walks in the park with her partner.”

Eileen Entwistle also got in touch to share her memories of living in what is known as the Cottage to the rear of Astley Hall. Her father, Mr Cann, was the Parks and Recreation Grounds Superintendent between the years of 1942-1967.

He dedicated his career to ensuring that the boroughs parks, football pitches, bowling greens and floral displays were immaculate. Since hearing from Eileen staff at the hall uncovered letters from Eileen’s father sharing his own memories of when she was born, something she had never seen before and is now able to keep.

Councillor Peter Wilson, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Resources at Chorley Council comments, “On 31 May 1924, Astley Hall’s doors were opened to the public for the first time by Councillor Arnold Gillet.

‘’The hall had been gifted to Chorley by Reginald Arthur Tatton as a poignant memorial to the brave men who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War One. His unparalleled generosity ensures that their memory lives on for generations to come.

‘’We are so pleased with the overwhelming response that we have had to our memories project that we’ve decided to keep it open to allow even more people to get in touch and share their stories.

‘’The tales we’ve heard over the last year will now live on in exhibitions in the hall and will be shared digitally so that people far and wide can hear all about our wonderful Astley Hall.”

Pieces from the memories project will be on display in the coach house exhibition space when the hall reopens in spring, and people can continue to share stories and memories of the hall by emailing astleyhall@chorley.gov.uk. You can read more about the history of the hall and see some of the lovely memories shared at www.astleypark.co.uk or by following Astley Hall on social media.