History

Colin Dickinson - PHS Meeting Talk 4th March 2013 & Book

Colin Dickinson At The Preston Historical Society

At the meeting of the Preston Historical Society held on Monday 4th March, members and guests were presented with a superb talk and photographic slide show of the once ubiquitous Preston based company of Dick, Kerr. Colin explained how the partnership of W.B. Dick and J. Kerr took facilities in Strand Road, Preston creating an engineering company of vital importance in maintaining Preston’s leadership in [...]

75 days ago by
The Institute faced an uncertain future after being sold by the University of Central Lancashire

Restoration work proposal for Harris Arts Institute to make it an Islamic school

  One of Preston’s most historic buildings is set to return to an educational use. Plans have been lodged to repair the interior of the Harris Arts Institute on Avenham Lane and turn it into an Islamic school. The Institute of Higher Islamic Education in Bolton intend to preserve the building’s aesthetic and architectural character, according to documents submitted to the city council. The building [...]

77 days ago by
titanic

Titanic Exhibition at Fishergate Shopping Centre

Returning to Preston on 16 March – Tony McGuire’s Titanic exhibition. After taking his display to the popular Irish Festival in Manchester starting on 8 March, Tony will be bringing his full R.M.S.Titanic Exhibition back to Preston at the Fishergate Shopping Centre. Tony, a Lancashire-based Titanic fanatic, is famous for his extensive collection of Titanic related pictures and memorabilia. He has amassed a huge collection of items [...]

77 days ago by
st josephs

Anniversary of ‘Ukulele king’ George Formby’s death and his link to Preston

Not many people know this but….there is a sad anniversary coming up at the beginning of March. George Formby, who was born in 1904, died in Preston on Monday, March 6, 1961 Formby was a British comedy actor, singer-songwriter and comedian. At one time he was the UK’s number one film star and one of the highest paid actors. He made the banjo ukulele famous [...]

81 days ago by
Michael Tranter prior to giving a talk on Lord Leverhulme

Malcolm Tranter At The Preston Historical Society

A full house of members and guests, at the Preston Historical Society meeting of Monday 4th February, were treated to a very interesting and intriguing insight into the life of William Lever who eventually became Lord Leverhulme. Malcolm Tranter delivered a very descriptive account of the life of the extraordinary gentleman, from his humble background as the son of a Bolton grocer, James Lever, and his [...]

101 days ago by
PSL

Another relic of Preston’s past swept away: Preston’s former steam laundry being demolished

Another relic of Preston’s past is bulldozed out of existance. Part of what used to be the old Preston Steam Laundry is currently being demolished. The picture above and in the set below show the back end of the building at the junction of Trafford Street and Wildman Street. The original laundry works extended the entire length of the long building that runs through to [...]

112 days ago by

Sign up below to receive Blog Preston's weekly newsletter. It wings its way into your inbox every Sunday with a round-up of our best content from the last week and a look ahead to what's happening in the city.