About us
Aims and ObjectivesThe Group, founded in 1987 and granted charitable status as an educational charity in 1989, includes in its primary aims the following:
- To foster and stimulate public interest in the history of the Ancient Parish of Lytham.
- To form a collection of photographs, documents, films and other artefacts of a cultural nature.
- To achieve our objectives by means of meetings, exhibitions, lectures, fund-raising for specific purposes and other work for the furtherance of these aims.
Lytham Heritage Centre
In 1996, in its desire to create a permanent exhibition centre of its own in the town, the Group was successful in its acquisition of the former Trustee Savings Bank in Henry Street, later to become the subject of a munificent benefaction by Mrs Audrey Kirby in memory of her late husband.
Since then, the Group has spent over £40,000 of its funds (derived from a legacy from a former member, Mrs Florence Peak) in converting the bank premises into a superb Exhibition Centre, in size probably not equalled anywhere else in Lancashire, notably for the variety of its facilities.
The Centre opened in 1997, the crowning glory of the Group's aspirations for its own premises. The building, a Grade II Listed Building and already the recipient of a Civic Conservation Award, is suitably located at the town centre overlooking the new pedestrianised Piazza; it is available to kindred and other societies who wish to promote their image; enquiries are invited.
See images of the interior of the centre by clicking here.
Exhibitions
The Group's expertise in mounting exhibitions of a cultural nature during its first decade has been recognised locally by the Lancashire County Museums' Service, to whom it is affiliated and by the North West Museums, Libraries and Archives Council (NWMLAC). Leading to the Windmill receiving REGISTERED MUSEUM STATUS.
In the year 2000, various exhibitions of outstanding items from our local heritage and art exhibitions by individuals and local societies have attracted thousands of visitors to the Heritage Centre. The exhibitions are manned by volunteers from the Group who are pleased to help visitors to Lytham with information about our town.
Lytham Windmill
In 1989, the Fylde Borough Council, aided by grants from the Countryside Commission and supported by monies from the European Commission, concluded the refurbishment of Lytham Windmill. The building was opened as a tourist attraction and tourist information centre, also offering facilities as an exhibition centre.
The Group, with its strong element of history and conservation, staged a summer exhibition in the Windmill, and this exhibition has become a permanent feature which is regularly revised. Annually attracting over 20,000 visitors from all over the world, the exhibition includes sections recording aspects of Lytham's historical past. The Mill also acts as a link with the Lancashire Education Authority which encourages visits from some 150 of its schools.
Lecture and Activities Programme
The Group meets regularly on the second Wednesday of each month for a stimulating lecture programme from a wide spectrum of subjects.
The meetings take place in the Assembly Rooms, normally in the evenings during summertime and in the afternoons during the winter.
Social interchange is not forgotten and a series of Coffee Mornings and other social events, at the Windmill in the summer and the Assembly Rooms in the winter, are a regular feature of the programme, as is an eagerly anticipated annual outing by coach to a local heritage attraction.
Archives
The group's archives are housed in their own room on the first floor, Lytham Library.
Here we store our large collection of artefacts and documents covering the history and families of Lytham, starting with the Priory in 1196 up to recent times. These documents are often unique and cannot always be found elsewhere, making them useful to local history researchers and family historians.
Should you wish to use the archives we are normally open 2.00 to 4.00pm Wednesday and Friday.
Education
A regular programme of school visits to the Windmill, already noted above, is manned by volunteer members of the Group who delight in explaining the intricacies and history of the milling processes, together with details of local history, to their young visitors.
Quarterly Newsletter
The Group publishes a quarterly newsletter, The Antiquarian, which is circulated free to all members and includes items of topical interest and local history, plus other records of Lytham's past.
Membership
Please see our Membership page.