South Ribble takes part in Heritage Open Days for the first time!

The Mayor of South Ribble is set for a special tour of some of the borough’s most historic buildings as part of Heritage Open Days.

The Mayor of South Ribble, Councillor Mary Green, will play a part in the Heritage Open Days in South Ribble – visiting five of the sites on Sunday 13th September.

South Ribble is taking part in the national event for the very first time, offering residents and visitors the chance to explore historic local landmarks.

Celebrating fantastic history, architecture and culture, Heritage Open Days are England’s biggest heritage event involving more than 40,000 volunteers.

Running from 10th to 13th September, a number of South Ribble buildings will be opening for visitors to take a peek inside often hidden or forgotten gems.

There are also rare workshops and one off exhibitions taking place across the churches over the weekend including First World War exhibitions and family history workshops.

Free of charge and right on people’s doorstep, Heritage Open Days is an event for everyone and is a chance to enjoy a wide range of tours, events and activities that bring local history and culture to life.

Dr. David Hunt, Curator of South Ribble Museum and Exhibition Centre said: “Heritage Open Days is a huge event for South Ribble and it’s taken a lot of planning to get to this point. We cannot wait to open the doors and showcase the very best of the borough’s history and display often forgotten gems.”

Councillor Phil Smith, cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration and leisure said: “This day marks a huge occasion in the South Ribble calendar. I’m excited to see the hard work and dedication put in from staff across the council finally come to fruition.

“It is a privilege to host such a day in South Ribble and gives residents and visitors a number of buildings to rediscover, explore and learn from. It will be a fantastic weekend and I urge people of South Ribble to go and support Heritage Open Days so we can build on this event in years to come.” 

The buildings in South Ribble which will be open for the four days as part of Heritage Open Days are:
• Leyland United Reformed Church
• St. Andrew’s Church, Leyland
• St. Mary’s RC Church, Leyland
• The Old Grammar School, Leyland
• All Saints CE Church, Higher Walton
• All Saints CE, New Longton
• Church of St. Leonard the Less, Samlesbury
• Samlesbury Hall
• St. Andrew’s CE Church, Longton
• St. Leonard’s Church, Walton-le-Dale
• St. Mary’s CE Parish Church, Penwortham
• St. Mary’s RC Church, Brownedge, Bamber Bridge
• St. Michael’s CE Church, Much Hoole
• St. Saviour’s C of E Church, Bamber Bridge