Historic England has funded a local community project in Brinscall, which aims to unlock untold and overlooked stories and people, hoping to leave long-lasting records and resources to celebrate uncovered history.
The project is one of 57 in the country, and 11 community-led projects in the North West, receiving funding from Historic England’s Everyday Heritage Grants: Celebrating Working Class Histories.
The landscape around Brinscall, Chorley, is scattered with many farm ruins - more than 50 in just five square miles.
Lancashire hill farming was a typical way of life for most families throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, with the last farmhouse being inhabited up until 1960.
Read more: Great Harwood councillors appeal for road safety interventions
Taking inspiration from previous publications of memories of the area (including David Clayton, Richard Robinson, and Elizabeth Dixon), the project aims to use the area’s farm ruins as a focal point for a more established heritage area and future family events.
Wildwood Days will be working with the local community through the Women’s Institute, local schools and churches, Withnell Parish Council, University of the 3rd Age and the residents’ association to make this project a reality.
The project aims to collect and record unique memories about farm life on the moors from those willing and able to share.
All contributions will be valued and treasured with many being selected for use.
Along with these, the project aims to collate photographs, maps and other information to create an interactive website.
Although all farms and farm life will be considered, there will be a narrower focus on six chosen farms for this particular project.
These will be chosen in collaboration with the community to ensure the most prominent, easily accessible and more meaningful farms to local residents are selected.
Precious memories stored as audio files will be added to the website along with all other elements of the project.
Along with the website, the plans include creating special sign boards near to the six chosen farms.
The sign boards will ensure that all people, local and visitors, can enjoy finding out about the local history.
There will be QR codes with links to the website and audio memories as well as physical information written on the boards.
Alongside all these aims, local school children have also been supported in learning about moorland flora and fauna.
The three local schools – Abbey Village, Brinscall St. Johns and St. Joseph’s – have taken part in workshops to create images and facts that will also be added to the sign boards.
Once memories are collated, farms and routes chosen, and the sign boards are created; guided walks and family events will be run by Wildwood Days to help celebrate.
Read more: Lancashire residents asked to keep warm and safe as temperatures drop
The project currently aims to produce two family events and two guided walks aimed more at adults.
Wildwood days will work with local people collaboratively and creatively to bring this incredible history to life.
All ideas will be welcome, but currently the project aims to have interactive elements such as rag rug making and locals in period costume.
Elizabeth Webley, Director of Wildwood Days, said: “We are so happy and excited to be able to work with the local community on this project.
“The Lost Farms of Brinscall Moors are a unique part of our landscape, but they are often unnoticed by visitors.
“This funding means we can really bring this rich local history to life and record people’s memories of Lancashire hill farming for posterity.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here