A century after the start of the First World War, people have been walking round Brierfield to find out more about it.
Brierfield Library was the starting location for the first of two walks last week. They were part of a series of events across Lancashire organised by Lancashire County Council’s County Heritage Team.
The first event was pretty limited in numbers because of earlier rainy conditions. It put some people off and in the end there were only five taking part. The heritage team’s Claire Sutton, who works with libraries, museum services and Lancashire archives, led the walk.
She said: “The weather was beautiful by the time we arrived at Brierfield Library, but unfortunately the earlier rainy weather had an impact. The walk went well and I got very good feedback. I picked up new information myself.”
The walkers met at the library, and outside it there is the town’s War Memorial. They saw the name of James Howley, who died in the First World War. He served in the East Lancashire Regiment and lost his life in March, 1915, aged 23. He was buried overseas.
And they looked at places connected with him. That included his old home on Every Street and his old Roman Catholic primary school. The walkers went along Glen Way, passing Northlight – formerly Brierfield Mills and now being given a new life – and out to Reedley Hall and back along the main road to the library.
