Thornton Through Time

Thornton Through Time Website

2010-02-18T08:44:00.002Z

Thornton Cleveleys Fire Brigade ...

2009-10-22T19:53:00.004+01:00

I have added a new photo to the Gallery section showing Thornton Cleveleys Fire Brigade outside the Council Offices.

Please visit our Forum to keep up to date with the latest additions to the website.

A

Oct 18th Sunday Quiz ...

2009-10-18T17:49:00.003+01:00

I've just put the Quiz on the forum here

A

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-10-11T17:36:00.002+01:00

This weeks Sunday Quiz is now on the forum ... you don't need to register to enter the quiz

A

Thornton Power Station Demolision ...

2009-10-10T14:46:00.003+01:00

I've added new information to the site regarding the TPS Demolition.

More information can be found on the Thornton Through Time Forum

A

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-10-08T19:39:00.002+01:00

Evening all.

Firstly I'd like to say how pleased I am that people have started to move across to the new forum .. I was worried you might all 'blogger' off so to say!

I've been working on the website today but you probably wouldn't notice as it looks exactly the same. The main problem with the site was that I am limited to the number of pictures I can have so I have been very sparing with them. Since I set off on my journey into the world of websites and such I have learnt quite a bit along the way. I've now discovered that I am clued up enough to edit the 'code' of the site and can now link to pictures stored elsewhere online so am in the process of changing all the ones on the site. After that I can start adding photos that I have had to store on the other Thornton Through Time Documents site

Now for the Quiz

The answer to this weeks quiz is ...

The old Station Masters house at Thornton Centre.

In 1st place .. Mike
In 2nd place .. Cyril
In 3rd place .. Andy
In 4th place .. Mike P

Don't forget next weeks quiz will be posted on the forum.

All Change ...

2009-10-06T00:01:00.005+01:00

Evening all.

It's all change at Thornton Through Time!

I'm going to take a bit of a break from the blog as life is getting in the way at the moment. In the meantime I've decided to add a forum to the site so that people can post questions, topics or just share history. I think it will work better for the site instead of people having to wait for me to post. I'll be popping in to the forum every day and joining in but it means I don't have to come up with topics twice a week on here (which I haven't been doing much of lately I hear you cry!). It will also mean I can go back to working on the site 'as and when' and remove the guilt of not having something exciting to report twice a week.

I hope you will pop over and join me ... Thornton Through Time Forum

If you want to discuss more up to date Thornton news then pop over to Mike's Thornton Cleveleys Forum where you'll get a friendly welcome.

I'll be posting the answer to this weeks quiz on here and on the forum and next week it will be posted only on the forum. You don't have to join the forum to do the quiz .. you can still look and then email the answer but it would be nice if you did.

Melanie

A

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-10-04T18:34:00.004+01:00

Evening All.

Its a flying visit tonight but don't want to get threatening emails about spoiling peoples weekends by not putting the quiz on on a Sunday ! lol

The Sunday Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am I ?

Answers here as usual
or email here

A

Holmes Farm ...

2009-10-01T19:06:00.004+01:00

Evening all.

So I was wrong about the building on Fleetwood Rd .. it wasn't a works but indeed a farm. Originally it owned land which is now covered by Sacred Heart School and Church and also Trunnah Gardens. The land for Sacred Heart was compulsary purchased. I don't want to say too much as I hope to add something to the memory section so keep your eyes peeled.

Now for the Quiz ... Where in Thornton Am I ?

And the answer is .. Treasure City (previously The Ashdell)

In 1st place .. Brenda
In 2nd place .. Mike

A

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-09-28T00:38:00.005+01:00

Tonights quiz is 'the I thought it was Saturday' Quiz. It's a good job I had a few pics in stock !!!!

I've had some more news about Holmes Farm which turns out to be the building opposite the end of Holmes Rd and was farmed by 3 generations of the gentlemans family. I will write it up and post more on Thursday.

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am I ?

** Clue - Not connected to a church

answers here as usual
or email here

A

Duplicate

2009-09-27T19:13:00.012+01:00

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2009-09-27T19:13:00.011+01:00

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2009-09-27T19:13:00.010+01:00

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2009-09-27T19:13:00.009+01:00

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The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-09-27T19:13:00.007+01:00

Bloggers gone mad !!!

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-09-25T20:17:00.007+01:00

Evening all. Sorry for the delay .. have been entertaining mother tonight.

Now I've decided that this week I'm going to take 2 different answers to the Quiz so I might have told you you were wrong but actually under the new rules you were right. The reason is that I'm not sure which one is the correct answer and as they are next to each other .. it's near enough. See thats clears as mud !!!

Where in Thornton Am I? ... and the answer is

The old barn at the corner of Stanah Road and Underbank

Now I had it as Stanah House Farm but a lot of you thought it was Stanah Hill Farm so I'm going to take both answers.

In 1st place .. John

In 2nd place .. Brenda

In 3rd place .. Mike

Now I have to give a special mention to Mike's answer as he told me where it was but also the time and date it was taken and what it was taken with !! Turns out he has some software to find it out but he had me going there for a bit.

A Beautiful Thornton Day ...

2009-09-20T17:42:00.008+01:00

Evening All. It was a red sky this morning so was expecting it to be a less than perfect day but it has been glorious. We went to the Nature Reserve behind the tip with the dog which was really nice but the smell was a bit ripe. Well worth a visit if you are of the dog walking fraternity.

I've been contacted by a gentleman whose family farmed at Holmes Farm in Thornton who may have some old photos to send me. I hope he can dig them up as they would be great for the site. Going off subject does anybody know the name of the building which stands right opposite the entrance to Holmes Rd on Fleetwood Rd? I think its empty at the mo but looks like it might have been a farm or more likely some kind of work place ie. a wood yard or similar. Its shown on the 1892 map and a building is shown there on the 1841 map to but isn't the same footprint. It also has a well. It intrigues me so I hope you can help.

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am I ?

Answers here as usual

or email here

The Quiz ...

2009-09-17T17:30:00.007+01:00

Evening all. I've had a new postcard in from Andy which I will have on the site later tonight ..it needs a bit of touching up (don't we all!) It shows Woodlands Ave and is another view I've not seen before. There are a couple of shops on there and it must have changed beyond all recognition so will have to go and have a look see to try and spot whereabouts it was taken from.

Now for the Quiz ... and the answer is

The Gate posts of Sacred Heart Church Hall on Crabtree

In 1st place .. Brenda

In 2nd place .. Peter

Just for fun...

( a slightly rude joke .. no swearing ) fun

The Late Quiz ...

2009-09-14T20:31:00.008+01:00

Better late than never folks ... This life thing just keeps getting in the way!

Firstly I've had an enquiry from a lady who is asking for information about a shop on Anchorsholme Lane in Cleveleys which was owned by a relative in the 1950's/60's. The shop in question was Dixon & Ismay, a decorating shop located at number 7. Hopefully somebody will have some info (I don't doubt you for a minute!). I need to go and have a look as I'm not sure what is there now but would like to get a pic to send.

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am I ? - That dodgy camera's back!

Answers here as usual
or email here

Heres a clearer image for you

Just for fun ...

Have you ever been this tired ?

Apologies ...

2009-09-13T20:04:00.001+01:00

Am running late tonight. The Quiz will be on later with a twist.

see you later!

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-09-10T19:12:00.004+01:00

It's a flying visit tonight as am up to my eyes making plum chutney.

The latest word from the demolision squad is that they planned for the TPS building to fall that way as they didn't want it to hit the chimney. Yeh right !!! We believe you.

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am I ? .. and the answer is

Burnaze School

In 1st place .. Mike
In 2nd place .. Mike P
In 3rd place .. Peter

A

Going .. Going .. No it's still there!

2009-09-06T13:56:00.019+01:00

For those of you who missed it ...

Going ...

Nope .. its still there!

I was intending to video the whole thing but as the sirens go off is not a good time to find out you haven't used your camera for anything other then pics for a while. I couldn't get the video to work and only just managed to get the snaps above at the last mo. I looked around to see if I could recognise anyone but quite how I was going to do that I don't know.

The event itself didn't go exactly to plan. From what I could see the explosives across the back of the building didn't go off so the building colapsed down at the front at an alarming angle. The result is probably a bigger mess than when they started. The chimney is 91 meters high so judging on the expertise shown when it comes down I will be standing 92 meters away!!!

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am I ?

Answers here as usual

Or email here

Going with a Bang ...

2009-09-03T17:22:00.009+01:00

After months of stripping out the old TPS main building/boilers at ICI will be demolished by explosion (sounds exciting) this Sunday 6th September at 11am.

I am reliably informed by James that you will be able to watch from the playing fields opposite the Burn Naze Hotel which is outside the exclusion zone.

The Chimney is pencilled in for Sunday 1st of November but will keep you posted nearer the time. Where's Fred Dibnah when you need him .. the best chimney feller that ever lived. I do hope that people find out about it or it will just be us lot looking shifty :-)

I don't know how I've missed it but I've had an email from Andy with 2 great old postcards attached which I've never seen before. One is of Church Lane (now Meadows Ave) and the other is of Raikes Road. I will get them on the site tonight so have a look later in the Gallery.

Now for the Quiz ...

Where In Thornton Am I ? .. and the answer is

St John the Evangelist on Stanah Road

In first place .. Mike
In 2nd place .. Mike P
In 3rd place .. John
In 4th place .. Brenda

A

Thornton Map 1845 ...

2009-08-30T16:34:00.005+01:00

Evening All ... I have finally managed to get the Thornton map on the site at last. I tried to fit it all back together but no matter what I tried it wouldn't fit so have gone for the section option. I'm not happy at all by the quality of my pictures but have decided to put it on anyway until I can come up with a different solution.

I've also added a picture of John Croft who held some of the first Methodist meetings in Thornton in his kitchen. He apparently lived in The Little Cottage on Fleetwood Rd opposite the junction with Trunnah Rd. Thanks to Mike P for giving permission to use the photo.

Apologies for the short post tonight but I was at a party yesterday and am feeling a bit worse for wear.

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am I ?

Answers here as usual
or email here

A

Thornton Maps ...

2009-08-27T10:59:00.017+01:00

Firstly I'd just like to bring to everyones attention that James on the Thornton Cleveleys Forum has thrown up plans that have been submitted for a new Tesco Express store in Thornton. Now where could this be ? ... Thornton Centre ... are they converting an existing shop on Victoria Road somewhere. No. The proposed plans are for the store to go on the carpark at Marsh Mill opposite to Seniors Chippy. You can view the plans here. There is limited parking already at the Mill and they intent to take away even more. I feel an objection coming on!

Andy has very kindly leant me some maps this week that a friend of his owns and I have been copying them like a daemon as I only had them for a short time. Now the problem with the old maps is the size of them and how to copy them. I started off trying to scan them .. so took the lid of my scanner to allow better access and to get to the middle bits but then I had nothing to press the map to the glass so the quality was poor. I tried placing my Beano Album (I'm classy me) on the map but as it was sticking out on all sides I was scared of damaging it. Again no good as my scanner did not like the old paper/canvas and the scans were even poorer.

Time to change tack. The stationers at Fleetwood has an A3 size photocopier so still not big enough but I could photocopy large sections. Even with photocopies in hand I still would have had the problem of how to get the images back onto my pc. I would have had to have celotaped all the sections back together and then cut them into bite-sized pieces to fit on my scanner and it wasn't cheap.

After wracking my brains (it didn't hurt too much) and a prototype made from a takeaway box .. I decided on a frame. I went to the craft shop at Marsh Mill and bought some thick card and cut out a 'picture mount' type thingy. I put this on the map .. took a pic .. and then moved it along to the next section. This gave me the same size each time which would make trying to piece the map back together easier. It still isn't the perfect solution as unless the camera is exactly in the centre and exactly the same distance away each time the picture distorts out of shape but it is the best I can come up with. The quality isn't as good as a scan and some of the 'joins' are a bit out but until I can find someone with a bigger scanner (story of my life) it's the best I can come up with.

So basically all the above has been an excuse for some sections being slightly out of focus and the joins being a bit pants .. but hey where else are you going to see an original 1845/6 map of Thornton. Well on Mario actually .. but mines not got 'Lancashire County Council' written all over it. I will hopefully have it on for Sunday if I can get the blasted thing to not look like a 3 year old has done it :-)

Now I've had en enquiry from somebody who has located a rellie on the 1910 Barrat's directory and is trying to find where the address is. The gentleman in question is Mr J Smethurst with the enviable address of 'Bungalow castles'. I have never come across this on a Thornton map so am thinking it must be Cleveleys as at the time it was still part of Thornton (please insert a smug - "we were here first" here). Does anybody know where this is?

I've also had a request from a gentleman trying to locate a current photograph of Harry Feeney. If anybody can help please can they email me and not post in the comments section please.

Talking about the comments .. here is a quick 'how to' guide to posting .. don't be shy!

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am I ? ... and the answer is

The Sunday School of Fleetwood Rd Methodist Church.

The church is currently up for sale but I am reliably informed that it can only be used for the same/similar use and has to be approved by the church. So no plans for demolision at the moment.

In 1st place .. Peter
In 2nd place .. Mike

I have a feeling there was another correct guess but I've had problems with emails in my ongoing saga with my pc so if I have left you off .. apologies.

A

Quiz update ...

2009-08-25T17:44:00.005+01:00

Here's the next clue ...

Answers here or email here

Interesting Developments ...

2009-08-23T17:46:00.006+01:00

Evening All ... I am still having a few problems but fingers crossed I'm back online. I've added a page on the website today about the Knife and Dagger (finally I hear you say).

From now on I'm going to post the quiz on a Sunday and then give the results and a further post on Thursday. I'll post an extra picture/clue to the quiz on Tuesday to give everyone a chance.

Firstly our very own Andy has found somebody who collects local history items and has very kindly leant them to me to scan and photocopy (I am now unmasked). The majority are not of Thornton but very interesting non the less. I'm going to copy them and then put a section on the site along the lines of further afield. There are some fantastic original plans for a bridge across the Wyre at Garstang at somewhere called Cleveley Mill in Nether Wyresdale. I got excited for a minute thinking we'd discovered a new Mill! I'll give you some more details when I've copied them.

I've had a piece go in the Thornton Community News this week asking for more information although unfortunately they missed the website address off. Hopefully it will lead to lots of new information coming up. I've already been contacted by a gentleman who is an architectural historian and has compiled a dossier on buildings in Thornton which is extremely interesting to find out. Its nice to know that there are people out there recording things for future generations. His work has meant the Sacred Heart Church is now listed which is the first listing in Thornton for 23 years.

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am ?

Answers here as usual
or email here

There are some really good aerial photos of Thornton and further afield on Brians Forum which are well worth a look.

A

Pesky Virus !!

2009-08-20T01:25:00.002+01:00

Apologies for not posting much over the last week but I have had (could still have) a virus on my computer. I think I have now got rid of it but it has messed up my settings and taken some files with it which are now also causing problems.

Everything I have tried to go on has 'encountered a problem and had to close' .. especially the tinternet which is very annoying. My anti-nasty programs have not been updating and being disabled but I have managed to fix that now .. with a lot of uninstalling and re-booting I might add. Have almost redone the whole pc now (whilst mumbling obscenities under my breath).

I've decided I'm going to invent something called 'La Boom' which when a virus is found on your pc backtracks back along the mysterious interhighway to the computer which created it and blows the ******* (fill in as appropriate) up !!!!

Fingers crossed I'll be back on Sunday night with the Quiz.

The Sunday (Monday) Quiz ...

2009-08-13T19:45:00.004+01:00

Am having problems with my internet at the moment it keeps cutting me off so I will keep it short.

The Answer to this weeks quiz was ...

Christ Church, Thornton. I will try and find out why it was erected and get back to you when I get my browser sorted.

In 1st and only place is Andy.

A

Gone but not Forgotten ...

2009-08-10T17:55:00.008+01:00

Evening all. Apologies for the delay in the Quiz but just ran out of time yesterday. Russ is off work this week so am not spending quite so much time on the tinternet at the mo.

Firstly tonight thanks for everyones help regarding Dish Dolls both here and on Brian's Forum. I went for a drive that way yesterday and the only place I could see still standing was the Poachers Pocket which (thanks to Chris) turns out to be where Dish Dolls was originally. It's now a house but I remember it being a restaurant. I love solving a mystery and with the team on here and brian's forum I don't think there's much we couldn't get to the bottom of.

I've added a map below (click to enlarge)

I've also started a new section on the website called Gone but not Forgotten. The title is unashamedly nicked from Brian's forum but I couldn't think of a better way of describing this section. I am working on a page on the knife and dagger to put in but am still typing it up at the moment so the final link is not active yet.

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am I ?

Answers here as usual ... or email

** HERES A BIT MORE OF THE PIC **

Just for Fun

This is amazing

Ooops ...

2009-08-09T16:19:00.008+01:00

And the lack of a vehicle .. the Sunday Quiz will be the Monday Quiz this week.

A

Dish Dolls ...

2009-08-06T17:39:00.005+01:00

Whilst enjoying a spot of lunch today at Thornton Lodge my mum got talking to couple who had very admirably cycled from Preston. The gentleman was asking my mum if she remembered where Dish Dolls was. It wasn't in Thornton but was a cafe and was apparently the 'in' place years ago. My mum has an idea that it might have been around where The Ranch House is now in Pressall. Now not one to pass up a challenge I've looked and can't find anything so does anybody else know where it was? I gave them this site to come and look for the answer so hopefully we will be able to solve the mystery.

**UPDATE **

More Here

As for the Knife and Dagger .. I haven't even been able to find anyone who even remembers it being a pub so am not doing very well on that one at all.

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am I? .. and the answer is

The steeple on Wignall Chapel

It's actually quite an intricate steeple with gargoyles to boot!

In 1st place .. Mike
In 2nd place .. James
In 3rd place .. Brenda

Just for fun

It's a dogs Life!

A

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-08-02T21:24:00.006+01:00

The Quiz .. Sunday 2nd August ...

Where In Thornton Am I ?

Am going back to the original entry via contact page on the website

So Answers here as usual

Here's an extra clue for you ...

What a Beautiful Day ...

2009-08-02T17:58:00.007+01:00

I hope everyone has had a nice weekend. I've spend a lovely day today down on Fleetwood Beach with Russ playing football and rounders at Kite Club and me sat watching. It was lovely to see so many people enjoying the beach on a sunny day.

I've added the final photograph's re Baines Endowed now that I can post .. so fingers crossed for the rest. I hope to have another piece going in the TCN shortly which should drum up some more information from the good folk of Thornton. Nice uncopyrighted photo's for everyone to enjoy.

All the pictures on the Thornton Through Time website are copyrighted. I have this as when people have kindly donated photo's specifically to the site I don't want to have them being distributed elsewhere willy nilly. If anybody wants to have copies for their personal use please feel free to contact me and I will gladly email them to you as I have a 'no right click' set up on the site.

Now for the Quiz ...

Due to a hitch a new quiz is now shown in the post above .. I'll let it run until Wednesday this week.

A

The Knife and Dagger ...

2009-07-30T17:41:00.002+01:00

I still haven't managed to find anything out about the old pub featured in the Sunday Quiz. It's beginning to look like it was only a pub from c1900 to 1940/5. On the Land Registry document it shows a change to the deeds on 31st December 1940 so perhaps this was when it changed. Andy is hot on the heels and is going to do some more digging to see if he can come up with an answer. I've found a doc listed at the Records Office which lists all the licencees in Amounderness from 1896-1958 so maybe that will be able to throw up some more details. It seems strange that they built it and then it went out of use so quickly though. I know there was another pub at Burn Naze but in those days there were enough people to fill them. I have got my heart set on it being some kind of intrigue with smugglers and murderers (that's what too much tv does to you) .. so hope it didn't just fizzle out.

I've added some more Baines photo's onto the site. Now your eye's don't decieve you .. the 1965 and 1966 pages show the same photo but as it said on the back 1965/66 I put it in both. I'll have the remaining ones up by Sunday.

Now it's been over a month now since Brian from Wyre Archaeology parted company with BT and still no news! Am beginning to think he has done a Lord Lucan. It's strange how his pessimistic sarcasm is missed ;-) I think in the time it's taking he could have set up his own broadband company and floated it on the stock market. I get twitchy if my internet is down for 24 hours!

Just for Fun
Anyone fancy a Stroll ?

A

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-07-28T17:35:00.011+01:00

Evening All ... Sorry for the late post but have been doing some digging since I started typing this.

I've finally managed to sort through the photo's of Baines Endowed and have put some on the site here. I've got some more ready to go on for Thursday .. I can't put them all on at once or I'll run out of material! I've noted the photo's which have names written on the back but am not going to list them on the site as not everyone wants their name splashed on the internet. Us ladies are well know for knocking the years off so don't want to 'out' anyone :-) If anyone recognises themselves and wouldn't mind me putting their name on then let me know. I still haven't heard back on the other copyright but don't want to pester anyone as am still hoping.

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am I? ... and the Answer is

The Gym building at Burn Naze .. near BEK Motors

(Now I know it's the same picture but I forgot to take the full photo)

In 1st place ... John
In 2nd place ... Mike
In 3rd place ... Brenda
In 4th place ... Andy

As some of you may or may not know this building was originally a pub (or so I'm told) and a bit of a mystery. It was built some time between 1892 and 1912 but most likely to be 1900. I have checked the Land Registry and there is a conveyance of land between Alfred Nuttall and Thomas Tattersall on 26.10.1899. The name which has been suggested on Brians Forum is the 'Knife and Dagger' .. not a family pub then! It was also mentioned by Andy in an email recently as the 'Hand and Dagger'. Apart from that nothing is known which is surprising as it isn't that old. You would think there would be a photo or somebody would remember it. I don't even know when it stopped being a pub. I do remember my Dad saying that when he first started working for Fleet Builders as a youngish man that they were based there and in the same document from above it lists Fleet Builders in 1968.

Am off to raid Phil's Rossall Beach Site to see if there are any pics on there that can shed some light on it.

Thornton Photos .. it's complicated

2009-07-26T18:16:00.005+01:00

I've now finished scanning in the photo's of Baines Endowed or I should say photographing them. Some of the pictures haven't scanned very well so ended up taking pictures of them which were clearer. The only problem with this was that the pics turned out black and white so have had to edit them individually to tint them back to sepia to keep the original look.

I'm still looking into the copyright but to honest it's not looking good. Copyright on photo's lasts for 70 years from the death of the photographer or the publication date. I still haven't heard back from the Evening Gazette and have sent a letter off today to the other company whose name is on the majority of the albums. If they refuse to allow me to reproduce them then as I understand it I can't pass them on in any way .. even by email which is a crying shame. I was hoping if I couldn't put them on the site that I could put a list up and people could contact me and then I could send pictures to them. Fingers crossed they will both come back and give the go ahead. It would be criminal for me to have all these lovely class photo's with many having all the names written on the back and not be able to share them. I will let you know as soon as I hear anything.

The good news is that a few of the pics have no copyright on the back and I will try and get them on before Thursday.

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am I?

Click photo to enlarge

Answers here as usual folks

A

Baines Endowed and Copyright ...

2009-07-23T16:51:00.002+01:00

I'm still scanning in the school photo's from Baines Endowed but unfortunately I'm not sure how many of them I am going to be able to post. The copyright on photo's lasts for 70 years from the death of the photographer which pretty much rules out most of the pics 1940 onwards.

Half of the photo's are copyright to the Gazette and after initially contacting them they have said they will not give permission. I have now sent an email to the editor to see if there is any way round it. The other half are copyright to a company in Blackpool who just produce school photo's and are still going so it's not looking good.

Even if I can't post the actual images I will put a list on the website of the photo's I have and if anyone wants a copy for personal use then I can email it. The restrictions would mean that they couldn't be published anywhere but at least it would help if someone was looking for a specific photo.

The copyright of items is a complete nightmare and I could understand if I was wanting to sell them but I can't see the problem with my just putting them on a local history site. Hopefully the Gazette will come back and giver their permission and I can at least put some on.

I've added some more pics to the Marsh Farm Memory .. in part 3 there is a link at the bottom to some additional photo's.

I'm doing an online backup of my pc at the moment as I have so many files that I would be devasted to lose. It looks like it's going to take a long long time .. almost a month! but it can run in the background. It just means things might be a bit slow when I'm using the pc so please bear with me.

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-07-21T18:19:00.006+01:00

I'm still scanning pictures in but have come up against a bit of a copyright issue. Hopefully I will know by Thursday and will be able to update you a bit more.

Bit of a short one as am puppy sitting tonight and it's like Fred Carno's circus in here. I'm only used to 14 year old Tinka now!

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am I? ... and the answer is ...

Baines Endowed School

In 1st place .. Mike
In 2nd place .. James
In 3rd place .. Brenda
In 4th place .. Andy

A

Scanning ...

2009-07-19T16:41:00.004+01:00

I hope you have all had a good weekend whatever you may have been doing. Well the weather came good for our bbq on Saturday. They always say the sun shines on the righteous and they must have been having a barbie in the same street as us :-D

I haven't got much more news to report as am scanning pics in like mad at the moment. I'm adding them to the other site so have got nothing to show for my efforts as yet. Will have some more on the main site by Thursday so will be able to report more then.

There is a nice new shop opening in Thornton opposite Senior's chippy called The Little House of Cup Cakes. It's nothing to do with me although I look like a girl who likes her cakes (blush) and am hoping that Russ might treat me to something if he reads this :-) I'm also pleased that a) it isn't a takeaway and b) is something a bit individual from a local girl.

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am I?

Answers here as usual folks

A

Marsh House Farm ...

2009-07-16T17:22:00.004+01:00

Well I think that normal service can now be resumed after my break.

I posted a piece in the memory section about a gentleman growing up on Marsh Farm a while ago. His daughter has been up from down south and has called round and left a big pile of old photos for me to scan. The majority of them are class photos of Baines Endowed School during the 1950's which I am going to link to from the Document Website when I manage to get them scanned in. I know they are not really old photo's but am grateful for any photo's to make the site better.

I also have some old photo's of Marsh Farm itself which are great as they are ones I haven't seen before and they really bring the story to life. I've started to add them on the site but am having to do a bit of reshuffling because I can only fit so much on each page so am having to take it from a 2 part story to a 3 part. It's all a bit higgeldy piggeldy at the moment but I've managed to get 2 on at the moment here.

I have to be careful as I've mentioned before I can only have 250 pictures on the site in total and when I post a pic in the gallery the small 'index' picture counts as 1 and also the larger picture inside so I am using them up faster than I would like. I will try an post as many as I can across in the gallery as well. I'll keep you updated.

A

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-07-14T16:39:00.005+01:00

Evening all. Looks like we might be getting some more thunder tonight by the looks of all those dark clouds out of the window.

I've had an e-mail today about the Last Orders Pub which is interesting. It's recently been purchased by Amber Pubs and when it is reopened it is going to be called The Sandyforth. I think that's great and as the emailer said it will come full circle back to it's (almost) original name which was of course Sandyforth Bank.. I really like that. It re-opens on July 31st.

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton Am I ? ... and the answer is ...

Somerfield in Thornton Centre and the windmill used to be just inside the doors of the old precinct. To quote James I think you all should go to specsavers this week. LOL.

In 1st and only place .. Mike

I might just possibly be back ...

2009-07-12T13:51:00.007+01:00

I am just about done with go buzz now and can get back to Thornton Through Time. I should be back to posting normally on Thursday and I have been kindly given a big pile of old photos so I'm going to leave you in suspense till then (don't get too excited!).

Now for the Quiz

Where in Thornton Am I ? ...

Answers here as usual folks.

Or use TTT contact page.

A

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-07-08T09:42:00.005+01:00

Woo hoo .. gone from page 5 to page 1 with go buzz.

Now for the Quiz

The answer to this weeks quiz is ...

The gate post at the Illawalla.

It actually says the name on the post so that is what I removed or it would have been a bit too easy me thinks ;-)

In 1st place .. Andy

In 2nd place .. Brenda

It's Oh So Quiet ...

2009-07-05T17:14:00.008+01:00

Things are going to be a bit quiet on the blog and site at the moment. As some of you will know I run 2 sites and on the Go buzz site I have just affiliated with Ticketmaster to sell tickets online. I am working long hours trying to get all the information on but it's taking a long time.

I love the history of Thornton and the Thornton Through Time site but at the moment I am having to spend my time on the site which is going to make me money. I should have finished in a week of two and then things will be back to normal and I can make my trip to the Records Office which I am itching to do. I will still be doing the Sunday Quiz and putting bits and bobs on where I can. So please keep popping back as I don't want to lose anyone.

Now for the Quiz

Where in Thornton Am I ?...

* I have removed something from the picture

Answers here as usual folks

Just for Fun ...

For those of us of a certain age (You Tube - Sound On!)

A

If you can't stand the Heat ...

2009-07-02T15:45:00.002+01:00

Well tonight I don't actually have anything new to add to the site as I am being slowly boiled .. from the inside!! Each day I am wearing less and less to keep cool and am starting to alarm small children now :-D

I usually make a trip at least to the library once a week to dig up something of interest for the site but It's just too dang hot to go and look. I was also hoping to go the Records Office this week .. apply excuse above. My recent purchase of a genuine leather-effect computer chair (I'm posh me) is now not looking so great. I won't alarm you with the unpleasant side effects of sitting in it as it's nearly tea time. Lets just say I haven't been on the computer much this week.

I know we always complain about the weather but I just wish it would cool down in the evening so I could get something done. I've just been accepted to offer Ticketmaster tickets through the Go buzz website which is great but I haven't even been able to get that set up yet either. Fortunately it is forecast to rain all day Friday and Saturday and the temperature is supposed to drop drastically .. I hope they are right this time.

I remember the summer of 1977 and the heatwave. We used to spend all summer camping at a farm in the Lakes and spent most of the summer in the nuds splashing around in a pond there. If you hear on the news tonight about someone being arrested in the Towers .. it might just be me :-O

A

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-06-30T17:05:00.007+01:00

Evening all .. well probably not all if Brian is still trying to get back online (I just have this picture of him trying to make something out of a radio and a soldering iron muttering away about BT).

I've added some info on the site today about Huck de Singleton. I was positive he owned land in Thornton but it turns out I can't actually find a record of him having done so. I know his son did and after 3 days of trawling through latin translations from the 12th century I'm putting him on anyway (you can imagine the 'so there' at the end of that sentence).

I've put off my visit to the Records Office this week due to the heat .. I couldn't think of anything worse than sitting in a boiling hot room. I wish it would thunder to clear the air .. I'm not built for heat.

Now for the Quiz

Where in Thornton am I? ...

The Answer was ... The Last Orders Pub.

The posts can be seen from the road and must have been the main gate posts at some point although they are now at the back of the car park.

In 1st place .. Andy
In 2nd place .. John
In 3rd place .. Mike

Just for Fun ...

This is a new blog belonging to Phil from Rossall Beach.

Phil's Fun Stuff

Been to the Pub ...

2009-06-28T15:10:00.006+01:00

Well in the interests of historical research I have been to the Bay Horse for my lunch today with a bit of light refreshment included. I suppose somebody has to do it ;-) I'm pretty sure I can see where the building mentioned on Thursday was but at the moment the brambles and nettles are so high I couldn't get a pic. The lager was good though .. bonus!

I haven't done much on the site (nothing actually) for the past 2 days as I've had a bit of a break so nothing to report new .. back at it tomorrow for Thursdays post.

Now for the Quiz

Where in Thornton am I ? ...

I'll add another pic tomorrow for another clue.

Answers here as usual folks.

2nd picture added below ...

The Bay Horse Blacksmiths Perhaps ? ...

2009-06-25T16:27:00.011+01:00

Firstly a lady on the Thornton Cleveleys Forum is trying to locate Rose Bud Cottages in Thornton. They seem to be between Gaskells Farm and Marsh Mill and any help would be great.

I’m doing another page for the Knights, Noblemen and Landowners section of the site at the moment .. Roger de Poitou is now on. I was going to look at Earl Tostig but some records (and Brian) correctly state that he died in 1066 at the Battle of Stamford Bridge whilst others clearly mention him after this. Have decided to do Huck (de Singleton) instead he seems much easier to trace and couldn’t resist after seeing him referred to as Huck (Fuccus) de Singleton. Well it tickled me.

I’ve been contacted by John after mentioning a blacksmith at the Bay Horse and he remembers a building which used to stand just behind the pub which he and his mates used as a den. It was brick built and looked very old and was covered in Ivy.

Click on the pics to enlarge them.

This is a 1960’s aerial photo courtesy of John and Mario Maps.

And a modern map with where I think the building was .. ish.

This is John’s excellent drawing of the layout of the building and it’s a very strange layout. There were no obvious steps down to the lower floor so perhaps a ladder was used.

The mysterious thing is that it isn’t shown on any of the OS maps from 1840 – 1912 but quite clearly it was there and as John said it was very old. Perhaps it had been derelict for a while and was just wasn’t noted .. I will have to have a look at the 1932 map next time I go to the Library. I have no idea if this layout would show a Blacksmiths shop but being next to the dyke (which is a main dyke here) would provide water for whatever was going on and the large fire in the corner could have been the forge.

Another theory could be that this was the old brewery for the pub which also would need water (don’t fancy dyke beer myself) and a fire. Perhaps the vats stood on the lower level.

This is one where we’ll probably never know but interesting never the less.

A

The Four Word Story ...

2009-06-23T17:23:00.003+01:00

Just for fun ...

Each poster adds four words to the story each time they post .. keep it clean folks.

A

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-06-23T16:56:00.007+01:00

I've just added a new page on the site called Knights, Noblemen and Landowners .. a very grand title indeed. I'm trying to add a bit of background information to the names which keep cropping up in the records relating to Thornton. I started a while back but got so bogged down with dates and names I decided to leave it for a bit (roughly translated as I gave up). I only have the main page up at the mo but hope to have some info linked to Roger de Poitou by tomorrow.

I'm also getting ready for another visit to the Records Office. I was hoping to go this week but need to go through my list again to check the records I want to look at. If I get it done I will go on Thursday. I'm torn between looking at the things which interest me (fields and boundaries) and putting interesting things on the site for those of you who have a life. A 50/50 split seems fair to me.

Now for the Quiz

The answer to this weeks quiz is ...

As I forget to take a wider shot you'll have to take my word on this.

The Old Council Offices near Four Lanes End.

In 1st place .. Mike
In 2nd place .. Andy (only minutes later)
In 3rd place .. Brian
In 4th place .. Brenda

Just for fun

Have added another post called the Four Word Story.

Thornton's Parish Records ... The Sequel

2009-06-21T16:28:00.009+01:00

Part One

Tonight is the second installment of St Chads Parish Records and is looking at Thornton’s best dressed.

I was surprised at the number of people involved in clothing production as I thought at this date most would have been produced at home.

Flax Dresser

1789-1791 – Joseph Wilcock

Now I have to confess when I first read this I thought it as something to do with candles .. shows what I know! A flax dresser is someone who prepares the fibres from the flax plant before they are spun into linen.

The first process is 'thrashing the flax' to remove the seeds which were used elsewhere. The flax is then ready for 'retting' which is where the inner stalk is rotted away to leave the fibres. This is usually done by soaking the flax in water and due to the terrible odour produced was done in running water where possible but ponds where not. Another method was to lay the bundles out in the fields and allow the dew to collect on it .. this took the longest time ( about a month) but produced the highest quality flax fibres.

Dressing the Flax

This is where the straw is removed from the fibres and consists of 3 steps:
Breaking – this is where the flax is beaten to soften it.
Scutching – the flax is hung up vertically and a scutching knife is swung down the fibres to remove pieces of stalk.
Heckling – the remaining fibres are pulled through various different sized heckling combs which get smaller and finer.

After the last comb there are 2 grades of flax: the fibres pulled throught he comb are the finest and the fibres and stalks ‘combed out’ called ‘tow’ produce a lower quality coaser fibre as they still contained some stalks.

Weavers

1784-1787 – Oliver Holden
1788 – ....... Simon Holden – cotton weaver
1789 – ....... William Bullen
1790-1796 – John Gregson
1797 – ....... William Gregson

As some of the weavers have the same surname it is likely that they could have been working together. With the port of Skippool nearby the raw material could have been grown locally or imported. Simon Holden is listed as a ‘cotton weaver’ which at the time also reffered to a type of finish on woolen cloth and did not necessarily refer to the fabric although again actual cotton could have been imported.

Taylors

1783 – ....... Christor Collinson
1783-1787 – Thomas Hornby – Trunnall (Trunnah)
1784 – ....... George Hornby
1784-1790 – Nicholas Hodgson (alias Tully)
1786-1797 – James Cowel

Again 5 taylors is more than I would have thought for Thornton with most of the population being farm/land workers. I do like an alias though.

Shoe Makers

1783 – ....... Richard Greenalgh
1790-1791 – Lawrence Anyon
1797 – ....... William Sharples

I was a little disappointed not to see a clog maker or cobbler amongst this lot.

Cordwainer

1793 – John Pearson

Again I will show my ignorance as I thought this was to do with ropes.

A cordwainer is someone who makes things from high quality leather and especially fine boots for the upper classes and nobility. This is definitely not your common or garden shoe maker unless of course he was just bigging himself up!

Now for the Quiz

Where in Thornton am I ? ...

Answers here as usual

Thornton's Parish Records ...

2009-06-18T18:59:00.007+01:00

Tonight I thought I would pull some information from St Chads Parish Records from between 1759 and 1798 as it’s surprising how much information you can get from them. Unfortunately the majority of the earlier records don’t have an occupation listed for the father and you definitely want to avoid a ‘B’ in the margin ;-) I will cover the rest on Sunday as I don’t want to bore you too much in one go when I can spread it out.

At the time Thornton covered a much larger area and included Cleveleys and Fleetwood although they seem to be quite sparsely populated if the maps are to be believed. Having said that most of the records do state for example ‘Ritheram in Thornton’ if it isn’t actually Thornton but I suppose it comed down to what mood the vicar was in on the day. These all say Thornton.

The dates below are when they baptized children and their occupation is listed so doesn’t actually show how long their working lives were. The majority of the other entries say husbandman which generally means someone who works on the land but here are some of the more interesting ones.

Inn Keepers
There are two in keepers listed .. John Hull in 1762/3 and Anthony Salthouse in 1784. This could be relating to two different occupants of one pub as the dates are 20 years apart. So which pub ? I don’t know the date of the original Bay Horse but strongly suspect that it has grown from a small single story building to what we see today. It could also be the earlier Garners Arms which stood alongside the current pub (c1900). Or it could be an old inn that stood at Skippool which is listed on the 1841 census as the Bozle Inn although this might say Bozle Farm as the handwriting is bad and I might be completely wrong.

Blacksmiths
This has surprised me the most as there are actually 6 listed between 1782 and 1795.

1782 – ........Thomas Eaves
1783-1789 – John Carter
1783 – ........Robert Collinson
1787-1794 – John Backhouse
1789 – ........Robert Dickinson
1792-1795 – John Thornton

Once again they might not have been working all at the same time but the dates seem pretty tight to me and as they were all producing children they could have been. In 1841 the Bay horse is listed as the Bay Horse Beer House and the occupant is Robert Eaves .. blacksmith. Perhaps this is the son or grandson of Thomas Eaves above?

I’ve been out all day so apologies for the rushed post tonight .. I hope it makes sense.

Ellen Harrison perhaps ...

2009-06-16T17:52:00.011+01:00

I would just like to do a celebratory circuit of this blog as I have finally finished typing the Thornton Marsh Act. That has been a long slog and at times I wish I'd paid the £46 to get copies.

I've been adding some extra information to the existing pages of the site today. It's amazing how when you go back a few months later you've learned so much in the mean time. I've added some information on the Hamlet of Holmes and a little bit on Poolfoot Farm and am working my way through bit by bit.

I've also added a new pic into the Gallery of Thornton Station which is one that I have seen before but a good shot anyway.

Now for the Quiz

I decided to make it a bit harder this week as you've been getting them so quickly .. think I went a bit too hard with this one though. I must admit that a nice meal at the Thornton Lodge in the sun on Sunday afternoon did influence my decision of location ever so slightly.

The answer to this weeks quiz was ...

Outside Poolside Cottage at Skippool

As Mike guessed it was Skippool I think that's enough to put him in first place and the only reply that was near.

In 1901 the occupants of Poolside Cottage were Peter and Ellen Harrison so perhaps the EH is Ellen. Interestingly Peter is listed as a mariner of the 'Flat Alice Linda' barge and with the Harrison surname and nautical theme he could be a descendant of Thomas Harrison who wrote from the slave ship in 1752. Alternatively somebody might have found a nice engraved stone at a car boot and stuck it in their wall :-D

Thornton Cleveleys Forum ...

2009-06-16T11:10:00.002+01:00

Just to let everyone know that unfortunately the old Forum has dissapeared without reason so Mike has started a new one.

Thornton Cleveleys Forum (mark 2)

All new posters very welcome.

A

Stanah Lease with Plan ...

2009-06-14T17:20:00.010+01:00

Well they well and truely got the weather wrong today .. not a drop of rain in sight. I hope it lasts for the rest of the summer unlike last year. It was nice to see so many people out and about but I won't say where for the obvious reasons. My weekends now consist of looking for good photo's balanced against how much of a plank I'm going to look taking them!

I've added another lease document onto the website which relates to some land at Stanah. The main document was 4 sheets written on velum which were joined at the bottom by a row of seals. Unfortunately it had been folded and I wasn't allowed to open it out fully to copy what was inside. The document I've added was a seperate Indenture document relating to the main document. It is quite long winded and complicated but I've come to realise that different people are looking for different information and this one has quite a few names in it. I also managed to copy a small plan from the back of the main document. I was really excited when I saw the word plan on the Records Office index but to be honest I nearly missed it .. beggars can't be choosers though.

Now for the Quiz

Where in Thornton am I? ...

There are 2 photo's this week both from the same location .. I will post the first one tonight and the second one tomorrow night.

Both the photo's are 'outside' somewhere

Please email your answers here this week.

2nd Photo

Click to enlargeA

Stanah, Thornton and the Clow ...

2009-06-10T15:25:00.016+01:00

I have finally had permission through via the Records Office to reproduce some more of the documents I rummaged through on my last trip. The problem is that a lot of the documents relating to Thornton are privately owned by the Oglethorpe Collection and I have had to have written permission from them to use them on the site.

The first document I have added is a letter from a Thomas Harrison to his wife and son in Stanah from a slave ship in Virginia dated 1752.

Now I know this isn’t directly about Thornton but I thought it was interesting enough to put in and I hadn’t realised until reading this that there were slave ships running out from Lancaster. I have tried to find some more about Thomas Harrison but as you can imagine from that date the information is a little sketchy to say the least. After doing a bit of digging my best guess is that this might be Thomas Harrison of Stanah, noted as a shipcarpenter in 1754, who married Ellen Bickerstaff (good Thornton name that is), daughter of Richard Bickerstaff of Stanah, on the 6th of October 1750 at St Chads in Poulton. This Thomas and Ellen went on to have a son called Thomas according to a document at the Records Office but as many children took their fathers name this is still just a best guess. I’d love to know what happened to this family, whether Thomas returned and lived out his life in Thornton or if he died abroad and his wife remarried or indeed whether the family eventually emigrated and became early settlers in America .. but that’s probably just me being nosy.

The second document is ‘Lands gaind by the new Clow’ and has another sheet attached which says ‘Survey of Robert Bickerstaff Land in Stenoa’, both are undated.

Now what the heck is a clow? There are lots of mentions of Clows on the Records Office search but none actually say what it is. I’ve been asking on Brians Forum and as he, and many helpful others, suggested it does appear to be mentioned along with watercourses/waterways and is documented as an alternative spelling for Clough. I’ve also found it mentioned a lot in relation to water mills and especially as a type of valve for releasing water.

1890 22 September Baildon Local Board wrote to Idle Local Board about ‘the bad condition of the water in the wheel Race at Buck Mill, and to the necessity for its being let off occasionally’

1891 29 June another letter from Baildon Local Board, about opening the Clow at Buck Mill ‘to obviate the bad smells said to arise there’

A smelly clow can’t be a pleasant thing under any circumstances!

Now I personally don’t think that the clow mentioned in the document is relating to a mill. I think the name stuck and it could be referring to a valve which released water from Dykes into the river which had previously overflowed and flooded the surrounding area. There are modern release valves still at Stanah Clough (OK not so recent a photo but I don’t feel inclined to climb down in the mud when I have a perfectly good sepia one) and Ramper Pot.

Nice hat missus!

As for the date of the documents again it’s a best guess (if you think this post is vague you should see what I've put on the site). After looking into some of the names on the first sheet, the dates which seem to keep coming up are around the mid 1700’s .. especially around 1760ish. I can find a Robert Bickerstaff owning some of the lands mentioned in 1761 but it could be a son or grandson who is on our doc and actually be much later around the time of the enclosure of Thornton Marsh in 1800 (still typing it).

So before I tie myself up in knots about who, what, when, where and how, I will leave you to draw your own conclusions .. and if nothing else it’s very nice handwriting.

Just for Fun ...
Circle the Cat

PS .. I have also added a new link to the baptism records 1759 - 1798 for St Chads in Poulton which was Thornton's Parish Church before Christ Church.

A

Thornton Gala ...

2009-06-09T18:02:00.008+01:00

It's Thornton Gala this Saturday and I do hope that the weather holds out for them unlike Poulton Gala last week. The procession starts at King George's and as far as I'm aware ends up back there. Russ has volunteered to be a Marshall for the procession helping to block off the roads so he'll be feeling all important in his high vis vest.

I do wish it had more support as it seems to be getting less and less as the years go by. It was still a big day when I was a girl but (as we were discussing last night) that was before PC's, mobile phones, gaming consoles and regular trips to Theme Parks. When my late Dad was a boy his Dad used to save up all year for Thornton Gala to give the kids a great day out. They'd take a picnik and spend all day and it was looked forward to till the next year. Unless I have been looking in the wrong places I do think it could have been advertised a bit more. They did have a website but that has dissapeared and I think it would have been good to have been able to see the procession route and to know what times things were happening online as that's how most people find things out nowadays.

I'll definately be out watching and hope it's a good show.

Now for the Quiz

The answer to this weeks Quiz is ...

The Church of the Nazarene on the corner of Lesley Avenue and Trunnah Road (almost opposite Spar).

To be honest until this was pointed out to me as a Church I thought it was a Scout hut.

In 1st place .. Andy
In 2nd place .. Mike

I'm in the process of putting some more documents onto the site but will be able to tell you more on Thursday

A

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-06-07T19:49:00.004+01:00

Evening all and apologies for the late post. I became a little 'over tired' this afternoon at our family get together and had a little sleep this afternoon. Don't leave the sherry in the kitchen with the cook!

I've had a bit of a quiet week on the site this week and am raring to go again for next week so will have more to report on Thursday.

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton am I ?

Answers here as usual folks ...

A

Padding out ...

2009-06-05T17:46:00.003+01:00

Not personally that is.

I've been for my quarterly visit to the rheumatologist this week and after being prodded and pulled around have ended up not doing much on the site this week .. must try harder! I have made a start trying to fill in more information for what is already on. I realised that there are still quite a few titles with nothing in them so will have more to tell you on Sunday.

Hope you all have a brill weekend and see you Sunday.

A

I forgot!...

2009-06-04T19:12:00.004+01:00

Sorry I have forgotten to do a post tonight .. I will do one tomorrow now as it's a good night on tele :-)

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-06-02T17:08:00.006+01:00

Evening all. There is someone on Brians forum asking about the whereabouts of Stackstead Bungalow which on the 1901 census is listed as being on Victoria Road .. well Ramper Road to be exact. I've narrowed it down to between Lytham Villas (the red dot) and Mayfair Gardens (the red line) on the map below. Has anybody heard of Stackstead Bungalow?

Click picture to enlarge.

The gentleman who lived there, a Mr Henry Heys, was a stone mason and built and owned a lot of the houses at Burn Naze.

And now for the Quiz ...

The answer to this weeks quiz was ... Trunnah
(note to self .. don't do any more crosswords. I wouldn't let any of you lot on my boat either :-D)

In 1st and only place is ... Brian

Underbank Road, Thornton

2009-05-31T14:41:00.019+01:00

Firstly what a fabulous weekend we are having ! Can't you just smell all those bbq's .. lots of 'pink' people around Thornton tomorrow I think. I'm stuck at home as Russ is off doing his power kiting at South Shore .. it's quite windy today and am expecting to hear the sea rescue helicopter go over at any moment.

I've been to Fleetwood Library this week looking at the maps and trying to locate the photo I posted on the site which has Underbank Road on the back. I looked at all the maps and can't place that layout of buildings at all. One thing I did spot is that Underbank Road on the 1912 OS map (below) turns at the lane towards Ramper Pot and continues on as Stanah Road unlike today. It changes on the 1939 map to what we know today.

Click on picture to enlarge.

Brian has also pointed out that this area could be the site of the original Saxon Village of Stanah on his forum here. That would be interesting especially as it seems to have remained virtually untouched.

I've now added the link from the website to the Act for the Enclosure of Thornton Marsh although I still haven't finished typing it all out yet. I have a feeling its going to take some time so thought I would add it on in the meantime.

Now for the Quiz ...

Solve the crossword and then rearrange the highlighted letters to spell out the answer to Where in Thornton am I ?

All the answers you need can be found on the website.

If you click on the image to enlarge it first you can then save and print it out to make it easier.

** Sorry I missed 7 down off .. **

7 down. Its a Hall, a Hill and a Road. (6)

This week it is the first person with the answer to Where in Thornton am I? and with the most correct answers filled in (just so you don’t just do the ones with the highlighted squares .. not that you would).

Email your answer here along with the answers to the crossword.

Just for fun...

What is your Viking name

I'm Melkorka Stronghorse and a bit of a wuss aparently :-o

Thornton Marsh and all those f 's ...

2009-05-28T16:48:00.004+01:00

My fingers are worn down to stumps at the moment typing up the Act to enable the enclosing of Thornton Marsh .. all 26 pages of it.

I have become very good at typing 'f' inftead of 's' as you can poffibly fee and am going to finifh this poft in the fpirit of all things Olden. I haven't managed to finifh typing it all out yet (actually am only half way through) but the firft page is on the fite under Documents which will eventually link to the reft.

I wafn't sure whether to include it or not as it is an extremely long and rambling Legal Document but I decided to go ahead .. even if juft to help all you infomniacs out there. It did however make a big change to the future of Thornton and fome of the other more interefting Documents which I hope to add later tie in to it. One being a hand written letter from John Silcock on his appointment as Surveyor of the roads on Thornton Marfh (c1800) as to whether they are fit to become 'King's Highway'. Gofh I'm really fpoiling you .. you'll be cancelling your Sky fubfcription next!

I've alfo added another photo in the Gallery fhowing Burn Naze Station. As foon as I've finifhed typing the above I am going to fpend fome time adding more info to the Gallery for the photo's I already have before I add any more.

Am going out with the dog now as there's a ftrange bright light in the fky.

A

The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-05-26T17:38:00.007+01:00

Firstly tonight a bit of a rant.

I hate it when you see an old shop that has been there for years and you get some conglomerate opening up across the road and offering what ever the old shop sells at half price to put them out of business .. you then end up with some faceless one stop shop which sells a bit of everything and not very much of anything. Now I look forward to my Thornton Community News magazine each month and I think they do a really good job. Now it seems somebody has come along and decided they can do it better (am not going to print the name as don't want to advertise them). There is a website with the magazine which on its homepage states it provides Thornton community news (naughty) and also that they pay their distributors and allow leaflets to go in the magazine .. something I know TCN are not able to do at the moment, so another dig. The reason it came to my attention is their monthly quiz 'Where am I in Thornton?' .. very original - get your own ideas buddy! In my opinion there isn't room for 2 community magazines in Thornton and I personally will be sticking with the original and best Thornton Community News and putting the other straight in the recycling bin. Rant over.

I feel better now!

Now for the Quiz

The answer to this weeks Where in Thornton Am I Quiz is ...

The railway crossing at New Lane (off School Road)

In 1st place .. Brian
In 2nd place .. James
In 3rd place .. Mike
In 4th place .. Brenda

And the prize for this weeks quiz is that you get to enter for free again next week :-)

I've also added another photo to the website in the Gallery labelled Underbank Road, Thornton. It isn't dated and to me it looks like the junction where Raikes Road meets Underbank Road with Underbank going off round the corner to the right but I may be wrong.

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Feoffment of Thornton - 1461 ...

2009-05-24T16:41:00.004+01:00

Well what a beautiful day it has been today .. it surely can't be a bank holiday! We've been out and about with the dog but I won't say where as I think that might make the quiz just a bit too easy. Whilst I was rooting around in the undergrowth somebody actually noted my numberplate .. didn't think I looked like a hooligan (must be the new nose piercing which if anyone tells you doesn't hurt .. they are lying).

I've had some permissions to reproduce through from the Records Office but with a bit of a twist. There are about 100 records which are almost entirely about Thornton and they turn out not to be owned by the Records Office but privately. They are having to write for permission so am having to hold back on some of the records.

I have added a new section on the website called 'Documents' which now contains:

'Feoffment of Thornton-le-Fylde - 1461' which is in latin but I have included a translation (I made that sound like I'd translated it didn't I). It doesn't contain a lot of information but is a great document none the less.

'Lease for Thornton Hall - 1723/4' which is in legal speak and is quite tough going but worth having a look.

I've decided to set up another website which is just to host some of the photos of the documents as even though the main site (http://www.thornton.btik.com/) has great features I am limited to the number of photos I can have and the size has to be quite small too. The Lease was 15 photos on it's own. Any links to the other site will open in a new window to avoid confusion.

I've also added a new pic 'Farm Workers and Marsh Mill' in the Gallery section as well. Haven't I been a busy bee.

Now for the Quiz

Where in Thornton am I? ...

Answers here as usual folks ...

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Thornton Hall ...

2009-05-21T17:33:00.003+01:00

I've had a very productive day today despite coming home to find my internet explorer down .. thank goodness for Firefox.

I've been to Fleetwood Library today and have scanned some more photo's for the site. I haven't had chance to put them on yet but will try and get a couple on tonight. I'll add to this post later to let you know what and where they are.

Also the nice lady at the Library had pulled out a plan of Thornton for me which is brilliant. Some kind soul has transcribed a quarter of the Tithe Map of 1839 labelling all the fields and who owned them. It is the section covering Holmes (technically - sort of top lefty Thornton) and the surrounding areas but saves a heck of a lot of work for me. Again I need to do some sorting out before the pics go on the site.

I'm also thrilled to have been contacted by a direct descendant of TB Silcock who had Thornton Hall and who is mentioned in the memories section of the site. He thinks he may have some old photos and documents which he is willing to let me have. I have searched and failed to find anything regarding the Hall other than obscure leases for fields so am hoping they can be found.

I've had such a good day if it was lottery night I'd buy a ticket !

Update - Have added 'Motor Train - Burn Naze Halt' and 'Hawthorne Road - Thornton' to the Gallery on the site.

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The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-05-19T18:30:00.006+01:00

I am ploughing through all the information I have at the moment to put together a list of who the main land owners were in Thornton through the ages. So far I have managed to put together the inheretance lines of the 'de Singletons' (bit of a query on Joan de Singleton in this one), almost all the 'Banastre's' and the 'de Thornton's'. I'm hoping to do a Timeline section for the website but its proving challenging to say the least!

I'm also still waiting for permission from the Records Office who I emailed again today but was told to be patient .. not my strongest characteristic.

Now for the Quiz

The answer to this weeks quiz was ...

Sacred Heart Church Hall

The one an only correct entry this week was .. Mike

Its actually a really nice spire which I didn't notice until the other day.

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Fleetwood Road, Thornton

2009-05-17T16:41:00.009+01:00

I've been sent two old photos of Fleetwood Road which I've added to the Gallery. I've put them in together as they are the same scene at different times. The building closest to the Chapel (Highfield 1903) seems to have a shop on one side where there is now a house. If anybody knows what it was I'd like to know.

I also found the following recently ...

In 1739 the king leased to John Wilkinson the marshes called Thornton Marsh, Holme Marsh, Stanah Marsh, Trunnah Marsh and Haddle Moss for thirty-one years ;

So does anyone have any ideas where Haddle Moss was .. I've never heard of it. Is it just me or does John Wilkinson sound like a bit of a chancer leasing cheap land.

Now for the Quiz

Due to the weather I've used a photo I had in stock

Where in Thornton am I? ...

Answers here as usual folks ...

Here's an extra clue ...

A

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Thornton and the Records Office ...

2009-05-14T13:35:00.005+01:00

I went to Lancashire Records Office on Tuesday where I only intended to stay for a couple of hours and ended up staying for 6 (kid in a sweetie shop comes to mind). I don’t have permission to reproduce the documents yet so I can’t post them .. sorry.

The one thing that surprised me was the size of the documents .. they certainly went big in those days. I was hoping to put photos of documents on the website for people to read but I had to photograph them in sections .. 3 to 4 across and the same down so to read them across you have to flick from photo to photo. I haven’t quite decided how to tackle this yet but I’m sure something will come to me.

In my ignorance I ordered up the 1839 Tithe Map for Thornton at 4pm with half and hour to go and nearly died when I saw the size of it! It was about 6ft wide and 4ft deep with a book (2ft by 1.5ft) attached half way up the left edge of the map containing about 100 pages. I had to climb on the table just to read the book (being a short house and all). They didn’t look very impressed when I said I didn’t have time to view it properly. The map itself is very crumpled and I don’t think it’s going to photograph well but am going to go back and spend the whole day on it.

The problem I am having with the records for Thornton …

Firstly the spellings of places change almost from document to document. The worst is Stanah which I haven’t seen spelt the same way twice. Stena, Steno, Staynall, Staina, Stanay, Stanoe etc. The field names also seem to change on a regular basis. This makes it difficult to search the index.

Also there are quite a few Thorntons in Lancashire, mainly one near Liverpool and one in Yorkshire which gets a bit confusing as to which one is being referred to.

Another factor is that the land in Thornton seems to have changed hands massively and been divided up throughout the centuries with many of the larger landowners not actually being based here themselves. I have a lease for 4 fields in Stanah, which is part of Thornton Hall in 1830, which are owned by 11 different people!

It would be so much easier if Thornton Hall still stood in its original position (obviously rebuilt over the years) and had passed directly from one owner to another with much of it’s lands in tact. On the other hand it wouldn’t be half as much fun for me rummaging through all the lovely old documents.

I've added a new documents section on the website in anticipation that it might actually contain some soon .. I'll keep you posted.

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The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-05-12T19:01:00.003+01:00

The answer to this weeks quiz was ...

The wall around Sacred Heart School in Thornton. The picture was taken from the bus stop over the road from The Last Orders Pub. I can't show the wider picture as it's got school children in it (pc and all that).

In 1st place .. Mike
In 2nd place .. Andy

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Thornton's Tithebarn ...

2009-05-10T10:24:00.007+01:00

I have added some information on the website about the tithebarn in Thornton. I know it was there and I know roughly where it was but apart from that I have very little information to go on. I'm no expert in sizes but I think tithebarn field is less than 3 acres so their land would most likely have included other fields as well. Hopefully I will be able to add some more details and acurate dates at a later stage.

Now for the Quiz

Where in Thornton am I? ...

As it might be a difficult one I'll also throw in 10 questions you can ask .. that's in total not each :-D

Please ask your questions in the Comments below but send your guesses here as usual.

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Sandyforth Nook, Thornton

2009-05-07T17:47:00.010+01:00

I have been very reliably informed that property formerly known as Sandyforth Nook on Fleetwood Rd near the Primitive Methodist Church, has deeds dating back to 1875. The two adjoining properties according to the deeds were originally built for sisters. The cottages were later sold at auction at the Gardener's Arms pub in 1889 and I have put them on Thornton's Top 10 Oldest houses on the website in fifth place.

I've been out and about this week taking pictures up at Stanah (and I might add falling in a dyke in the process! .. mountain goat I am not!). I noticed the wall like feature which runs across Ramper Pot at the point where the floodgates were (white spot on map) on the aerial map and went for a look see.

I've walked down that way many times and have never spotted it. If you do go for a stroll its most noticable past Ramper Pot on the way round to the jetties where there is a bench at the point it crosses the path. I very scientifically stuck my finger in it and it seemed to be just earth but you can see at the very edges that it once stood quite high.

This is a piece of useless information that you can impart to the walking partner of your choice next time you are down at the river.

***

Added for comments

Sunday Quiz ...

2009-05-05T18:50:00.005+01:00

The answer to this weeks quiz was ...

The entrance to Bourne Hall which is on the Fleetwood side of the new roundabout to the Recycling Centre on Fleetwood Road.

The only correct answer this week was from Brian which given all the time he spends on the other side of the road is not surprising.

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Update on Quiz ...

2009-05-04T15:21:00.001+01:00

I have had one correct entry so far and here is a more generous photo ...

Marsh Farm, Thornton

2009-05-03T17:14:00.006+01:00

Whilst rumaging I have come across a hint at another Mill in Thornton from a document dated 1807.

FEOFFMENT of a messuage and land called Thorn Yard; Old Holmes Mill Hill and Charnleys Cottage in Thornton.Consideration: £443

Holmes is one of the older settlements in Thornton as it stands on higher ground so perhaps there was also a mill on 'Old Holmes Mill Hill' at one time.

I've also added a wonderful story of growing up on Marsh Farm in Thornton on the website which has been kindly donated. I have had to split it into 2 parts as it is very long but it is a really good read and gives you an insight into day to day life on the farm.

Now for the Quiz ...

Where in Thornton am I? ...

Answers here as usual folks.

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Windmills and Mills in Thornton ...

2009-04-29T16:31:00.003+01:00

Firstly I have added some information on Stanah House Farm to the website including 2 very good photos kindly donated by James.

I have also been browsing through my copy of a Victoria County History today which is a great source of info but about as far away from easy reading as it gets. I’ve decided many times to go through it and write down who owned what and when only to give up 10 minutes later as so many of the entries contradict each other. Its also very easy to get distracted .. I almost always start looking for one thing and end up somewhere else. Whilst doing just this I came across the following two entries:

"Alice widow of Alan de Singleton in 1245 arranged with William the son of Alan as to the succession of two ploughlands in Thornton, she acknowledging William’s right and receiving it for life, together with a third part of the fishery at Singleton. If Alice should not be able to grind in her mill of Thornton she might use that of Singleton free of multure. She released to William all her dower right and he gave her £10."

Seems like a good deal to me ! Now this first entry doesn’t actually use the term ‘windmill’ so it could be referring to either a wind, water or animal powered mill. The second entry is more specific though.

"Thomas son of Lawrence Travers in 1349 granted Robert de Pleasington a windmill and lands in Stanah in Thornton, Ribbleton, Ashton, Elswick and Ingol, and in default of issue to his other sons Lawrence, Edmund, Thomas, Roger, William and Richard."

Whether these are referring to the same mill or two separate mills I am not sure .. I did try and follow the family lines but in the end my eyes crossed! I wasn’t aware of any other windmills in Thornton prior to Marsh Mill and am almost certain they would have been wooden and probably on a much smaller scale but interesting none the less.

That’s another entry in my to do list then .. I'll save Haddle Moss for another day.

Also …

Mario Maps are now doing 1940’s and 1960's aerial photos which are grainy, extremely slow to load but good to see.

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Stannah Hill Farm ...

2009-04-28T17:27:00.005+01:00

James posted on last nights quiz about his relatives at Stanah Hill Farm being Championship Lancashire cheese makers. Now here's the thing .. if he hadn't of bothered to come on here and post, that information would be lost. So if anybody is reading this and has any information .. even if they think it is not much PLEASE get in touch. It may not appear on the site straight away but I have files of information and they do eventually come together like a big jigsaw puzzle.

OK so now for the quiz ... drum roll

The answer was ...

The old mounting block outside 'Abbeystead' (the house) on Raikes Road.

In 1st place ... James
In 2nd place ... Mike
In 3rd place ... Brian

Just for fun ...

free tank game

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The Sunday Quiz ...

2009-04-26T18:43:00.005+01:00

Firstly I forgot to say yesterday that I put a now picture on for the Sacred Heart Church Hall courtesy of John.

Now for the Quiz ... Where in Thornton am I ?

Answers here this week please ...

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The Fylde Country Life Museum ...

2009-04-25T16:23:00.017+01:00

Now until recently when Brian from Wyre Archaeology brought this museum to my attention I didn't even know it existed and I bet I'm not the only one.

The museum is dedicated to the history of rural craft, industry and agriculture of the Fylde area and what a gem it is.

Around the central display area are individual exhibits of shops, houses and interesting artifacts.

Each exhibit is themed with everything from a telephone exchange to a cheese makers and the exhibits continue on the upper floor. It's a bit worrying though when you go to a museum and recognise a lot of the things on show!

Situated at Farmer Parrs, the museum is currently looking for volunteers and if you are interested please contact John Higginson on 01253 790480.

website

On my Hols ...

2009-04-17T18:29:00.002+01:00

Normal Service will resume next weekend. Wish me luck as going camping in Derbyshire so keep everthing crossed for the weather !!

Sacred Heart Church Hall ...

2009-04-15T17:41:00.003+01:00

I have had an email to tell me that the photo I posted yesterday is actually the Church Hall and not the school as I thought. Apparately the School was demolished and stood where the new apartments are on Crabtree Road. I have left the date as c1898 until I can do a bit more digging as it is around the time the church was built.

Don't forget it is the Wyre Archaeology meeting tonight at Farmer Parr's - kicking off between 7 and 7.30pm. Tonight is the AGM.

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Sunday Quiz .. but on a Tuesday !!

2009-04-14T18:19:00.006+01:00

I hope you are all feeling refreshed after the easter break and all the nice weather.

I have put a new picture on the site in the gallery which shows the building of Sacred Heart School (now Madhatters) on Heys Street/ Crabtree Road. I couldn't quite place which angle it had been taken from but had a good look round whilst they were closed for Easter .. I didn't fancy being caught taking pictures round a childrens play area !!

Its taken from the back of the School on Crabtree as if you look closely at the arch over the door each section is made from 2 bricks end on instead of one brick lengthways. You can also just make out the space for 2 small windows behind the men. I didn't have the original image with me to take a comparison but will go back another day and at the moment am not sure of the date but a quick trip to the library should solve that.

Edit: The School Opened in September 1898 so building would most likely be the same.

Now for the Quiz ...

This week I am just doing a Yes/ No Quiz.
Try and be specific with the questions you ask and ask them in the comments section below this week. If you ask 'are you near water' I can't answer because I could be 3 miles away but still near water. If I can't answer you will see ***.

OK - clear as mud!

Where in Thornton am I?

Useful Site
Watch live freeview tv on your computer.

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Sunday Quiz ...

2009-04-12T15:48:00.002+01:00

The Sunday quiz this week will be on Tuesday and henceforth for this week be know as the Tuesday night quiz - I is on holiday !

The Little Cottage ...

2009-04-09T18:20:00.008+01:00

There is a little cottage (aptly called The Little Cottage) round the corner from me on Fleetwood Road, right opposite the junction of Trunnah Road. It is impossibly small and looks quite old. Its up for sale at the moment but the agents details don't give an age for the property. Does anybody have any ideas ? Theres actually two of them together but I don't know the name for the other one.

I have heard a rumour that the weather is going to be kind to us this Bank Holiday weekend .. fingers crossed. Don't forget it is Thornton Farmers Market on Saturday and on Sunday there is a Craft Fair at Marsh Mill

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Evening All ...

2009-04-07T19:46:00.007+01:00

Nearly forgot to post the answer for the quiz tonight as was busy pretending to know what I was doing on my computer. I have come to the conclusion that I don't and am switching it off for the night.

The answer to this weeks quiz is ...

Thornton Little Theatre

In 1st place .. Brian
In 2nd place .. Mike
In 3rd place Andy

I can't believe you all got it so quick !! I look all week for somewhere and everybody gets it almost straight away. Wait till next week. Think we might have a go at the yes or no game instead of a picture.

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Sunday Quizz ...

2009-04-05T17:32:00.007+01:00

Well the weather is really spoiling us at the moment .. have been out and about for most of the day. Since I've been doing the weekly quiz I've noticed how little I actually know about the buildings of Thornton. Some of them have some really interesting architecture like this weeks offering, looked at it loads but never noticed this.

Where in Thornton am I ? ...

Please post your answers here as usual.

Hope you all had a great weekend too.

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Show and Tell ...

2009-04-04T18:01:00.007+01:00

Its surprising what you have in your back garden and don't know.

We have had this strange stone in ours for over 20 years and has been used from everything from a door stop to a base for a rotary clothes dryer (sorry Brian). It turns out it is the top half of a Roman beehive quern stone as identified by our very own Brian from Wyre Archaeology. Now I don't think this one came from Thornton itself but there might be another one out there that did. So I wonder what else is lurking around in the gardens and sheds of Thornton .. have a mooch and let us know.

Don't forget the quiz tomorrow night folks.

Just for Fun ...
superstacker
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Bit of a quiet Spell ...

2009-04-02T17:17:00.002+01:00

At the moment I am in the midst of launching my Go buzz to the nice folk of the Wyre and Fylde and it has been taking up quite a bit of my time .. apologies. This new site is the one where I hope to make a bit from advertising whilst Thornton Through Time is my hobby site. Once Go buzz is up and running and I have entered all the information it will be quite low maintenance and can get back to foraging for historical bits which is the fun bit.

I have reached the point in my history hunt where a trip to the Records Office is called for and that is not as easy as it sounds as most of the time you don't know what you are looking for. There are no magic records marked 'all you need to know about Thornton' its just the odd sentence here and there in the most unlikely places which you have to piece together. I wish it was available online so a journey to Preston could be avoided but hey ho.

I would also like to announce that I have been to the doctors and had my furry winter socks surgically removed ready for the summer.

Tarngate Cottage ...

2009-03-31T18:17:00.004+01:00

I have put a picture in the Gallery today with has written on the back:

Tarngate Cottage
Cruck
Little Thornton
1977

Am not sure whether this is still standing as will have to go and have a look see and am also not sure if the 'Cruck' is referring to the type of building or a place. Anybody have any ideas? I've also added another memory item about Christ Church regarding a very peculiar tax.

The answer to the quiz this week is ...

The Gardeners Arms, Thornton

In 1st place .. Mike (winning by 10 mins)
In 2nd place .. Brian

Am thrilled to say we had a new entrant this week who was on the right track .. if we keep going like this we will have enough for a 5 a side by Xmas!!

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Thornton, Lancashire ...

2009-03-29T18:07:00.004+01:00

Website dedicated to the history of Thornton, now part of Thornton-Cleveleys, Lancashire.

Sorry another dodgy title tonight as people are still finding the site through this blog.

What a fantabulous day it has been today .. have been out on Fleetwood beach with the dog and hubbie has bought a scate board (don't ask). I went on the Gala site today to find out the date of this years Gala and unfortunately the site was powered by Lycos which has gone bump so I hope they get something up and running soon. I've also been contacted by a lady whose father grew up in Thornton on Marsh Farm and he has written his life story which she is sending me so I look forward to receiving that. I have a couple of photos to add to the site tomorrow so onwards and upwards.

Its great to see a few more people joining us on the Thornton Cleveleys Forum run by Mike, the more the merrier!

Now for the quiz - Where in Thornton am I? ...

Please post your answers here as usual

Answer on Tuesday

Christ Church ...

2009-03-27T17:21:00.004Z

Evening All ...

IT'S THE WEEKEND !

Have put a picture of Christ Church 1912 on today .. it's the first one I've had to buy but I couldn't find a good one anywhere else (the wonders of e-bay).

Just a quickie tonight - hope you all have a great weekend whatever you may be doing. I personally am having the girls round for a girlie night in .. its all Bridget Jones and Vodka!

I'm about to start writing up about the Railway in Thornton so will hopefully have that on soon. I just want to get all my facts straight first.

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Rowlands Farm ...

2009-03-26T17:37:00.004Z

I will be glad when this week is over .. I seem to have had my numpty magnet turned up to full this week. I won't go into my dealings with the printers for the sake of my blood pressure.

Last time I went to the Library it took them ages to find the photographs I was looking for so I emailed them on Monday to let them know I was sending a list. Sent the list the next day, received a reply to say they had got it. Went today and they hadn't got them out! Not only that they couldn't find my email with the list attached until it was found in the high priority 'Deleted' file. So with my pc booked I sat for an hour and a half and they managed to find 4 photos until I lost the will to live and called it a day.

I have put on a photo of Threshing at Rowlands Farm and in the Gallery a picture which just had Thornton 1930's on the back. It looks like Burn Naze to me and Alkali Works related but can't quite place it.

Just to prove a point ...

Instructions on a Swedish chainsaw:
"Do not attempt to stop chain with your hands or genitals."
(...was there a lot of this happening somewhere!?)

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Half Day ...

2009-03-25T18:33:00.003Z

Well I was all set to go to the Library this afternoon; list - check, memory stick - check. Rang the Library and they close on a Wednesday afternoon .. I honestly didn't think anyone did that any more.

I've put a now picture in the gallery today for Thornton Village - c1905 but I still don't think I have got the angle right. In the older photo I've realised there is a building between the Gardeners Arms and the camera where the car park is now and it has thrown me out as I tend to line up the chimney pots for the now shot. It doesn't help that Gaskells Cottages went across the entrance to Warren Drive a bit. I have put it on but think I will go back and try again another day.

I've also added a photo of Lawson Lane (now Lawsons Road) .. well technically I added it the other day but forgot to tell anyone.

I'm also looking for information on Thornton Fire Brigade at the mo. I heard a story the other day about someones Grandad who was the local ironmonger and was also the fireman as he was the only one in the Village who had a ladder!

How to add a Comment

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Library Expedition ...

2009-03-24T17:41:00.003Z

I was supposed to be going off to Fleetwood Library for the afternoon today to plunder their old photo selection but things never go to plan. Hubbie needed the car so I will have to go tomorrow now. They have a great photo I am trying to get my hands on and just hope that there is no copyright written on the back.

I went out on Sunday to get some 'now' photo's for the Gallery and bumped into my brother-in-law who dragged us kicking and screaming to the pub so that was the end of that. I promise to be a better history hunter for the rest of the week.

The answer to this weeks quiz was the entrance gate to the Towers on Holmfield Ave
1st place goes to Brian (misspent youth)

An Oldie but Goodie ... Mother knows best!

One day a dad was in charge of his 2 1/2 year old daughter who was playing with her little 'tea set', her favourite toy. Dad was in the living room engrossed in the evening news when she brought him a little cup of 'tea', which was just water.

After several cups of tea and lots of praise for such yummy tea, the Mum came home. Dad made her wait in the living room to watch their daughter bring him a cup of tea, because it was 'just the cutest thing!' The Mum waited, and sure enough, here the little girl came down the hall with a cup of tea for Daddy and she watches him drink it up.

Then she says, (as only a mother would know).'Did it ever occur to you that the only place she can reach to get water is the toilet?'

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Sunday Quiz ...

2009-03-22T17:35:00.004Z

Well 36 hours without internet was certainly an eye opener .. unfortunately my tv is through BT as well so only had 5 channels - the shock !!

I've had an enquiry about a large white painted house that stood on the corner of School Road and Station Road in Thornton. It was still standing in the late 1960's and had a fantastic orchard, out buildings and a conservatory with a grape vine growing in it. Can anybody remember it or even better does anyone have any photos ?

Now for the quiz

Where in Thornton am I ?

Please post your answers here

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Internet Down ...

2009-03-21T10:52:00.003Z

After a few nights of problems with my BT internet it has now gone down completely. If you are trying to contact me I will get back to you as soon as possible .. please feel free to talk amongst yourselves ! Am posting this from a friends computer.

I have had such a pleasant morning travelling around the world ringing BT and being transferred from wrong department to wrong department. Have definately been to India and most likely Sri Lanka and they wouldn't tell me on the last one (party poopers). Officially I was connected at 7.34 this morning (No) by 5pm tonight (unlikely) or it will take 48 hours - thats the one I'm going for. Why couldn't they have cut off my home phone which I never use but my internet is like cutting off my right arm - you should pity my poor hubby!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend.

No surrender !! ...

2009-03-19T19:21:00.004Z

Am still fighting with my emails and beginning to lose the will to live so please bear with me if I don't get back to you straight away.

I've added some pictures today on the Gallery which I need help identifying the location .. please have a look and see if you can help.

Am off now to kick my computer AGAIN.

Thornton Gala ...

2009-03-17T16:28:00.005Z

Am posting a bit earlier tonight as am off to the Beach with the dog before tea .. this nice weather does funny things and makes you want to get out and about. Am feeling positively Spring-like. Talking of walking the dog and the beach, The Fylde Coast Marine Life Project are looking for recorders at the moment to help identify which species live along our coast and get them on the map as very little is known. If you fancy having a go you can download one of their forms at the website above.

The answer to this weeks quiz was ...

The Old Bank - Four Lane Ends

The winner was Mike once again .. congrats
...please note the police wagon in the background who looked on with suspicion as I took photos of walls like a nut!

I've added a few more pictures today. In Baines Endowed a picture of classmates in 1936. In the Gallery 2 pictures of Thornton Gala 1907 and 1909 .. now these were proper processions. I remember as a girl (not that long ago I might add) when the procession used to gather in Sandringham Avenue where my Nana lived. We'd all go down and it was quite a site and buzzing with excitement. Am not sure whether it's just not as exciting now or I have got old!

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Ahhhhhhhhhhhh ...

2009-03-15T18:39:00.007Z

Just wanted to get that off my chest. I've just changed my e-mail to outlook and have been fighting with it all day.

I've put some new pics on the website today: Baines Endowed School. In the Gallery: Burn Naze Crossing c1907 and The Avenue, Thornton Church. I haven't seen the ones in the gallery before so hope you like them.

Now for the Sunday Quiz ...

Where in Thornton am I ?

Send your answers here as usual.