Astley comes alive

THE history of Chorley’s Astley Hall is being brought to life with music and stories in a new event called Astley Alive on Wednesday 1 April.

The Astley Alive event will launch the reopening of the Chorley Council-owned Astley Hall, which has been closed to visitors since the beginning of this year while specialist surveyors were brought in to undertake conservation work. 

While some of the conservation work is still ongoing, the majority of the Hall will be open again 12 noon until 4.30pm every weekend and Monday to Wednesday during school holidays from Wednesday 1 April.

Astley Alive will see the Friends of Astley Hall group dressed in period costume and telling stories about the wonderful history of the building and the families that have lived there over the years.

They will be joined by Theatre by Numbers who will be acting out scenes from the Hall’s history and the fantastic Tapestry of Music will be playing their unique collection of musical instruments, including the harp, lute and hurdy gurdy.

Councillor Bev Murray, who has responsibility for Astley Hall and the Astley complex at Chorley Council, said: “Astley Alive will be a great event for anyone who would like to learn more about Astley Hall and the people that lived there.  It will be great to see the stories brought to life by the Friends of Astley Hall group dressed in costume and the event is free to attend.

“I would encourage people to bring the whole family and take a look around this fantastic local asset.  The conservation work is going well and we have made lots of great discoveries about the history of the Hall but it’s fantastic to see the Hall will be open to visitors again from Wednesday 1 April. 

“If you are looking for something to do with the family during the school holidays or at the weekend, come and discover the fascinating history of Astley Hall and then enjoy a wonderful stroll around Astley Park.”

Astley Alive will take place from 12 noon until 4pm at Astley Hall, Chorley.

For more information on events and activities taking place at Astley Hall visit chorley.gov.uk/astleyhall or like the Astley Hall, Coach House and Park Faceboook page.

ENDS

Pic caption: The Friends of Astley Hall group welcome visitors to Astley Hall.

For more information, contact Campaigns and Engagement Manager (Events), Louise Finch on 01257 515062