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The following account of Berry Lane and its notable buildings was originally published in Volume 6 of the Longridge & District Local History Society Review, 1981
Pre WW1 Sketches of Berry Lane
BERRY LANE Preface and Acknowledgements The following article on Berry Lane is far from complete, but we hope it will serve several purposes. As most of us tend to take our daily environment for granted it is hoped that our account will remind readers that our main shopping street has a past as well as a present. Although a photograph of Berry Lane taken over 60 years ago might be instantly recognizable it must not be forgotten that the houses have changed hands many times; many homes have been converted into shops and offices; shops have traded under many proprietors and offered many widely varying services to the community. At present neither time nor space allows us to attempt a more complete picture, but we hope that our selection will interest newcomers and bring back memories for those born and bred in these parts. If any of our readers have information which is not included here we would be pleased to hear of it so that it can be added to our archives and possibly included in future publications. We would also be pleased to know of any errors which may have inadvertently crept in as human memories can be suspect. Many people have assisted in the compilation of this article. Special thanks are due to Mr. R. Wright for his account of the Co-op buildings and to Mr. & Mrs. J.S. Lloyd, Mrs. G. Sharples and Mr. J. Tillotson for information on other aspects of the Lane. Mrs. A. Lord has been especially helpful by interviewing numerous of the older residents as well as sifting through the C. of E. School Log Books and the Minutes of the Local Board Meetings. The introductory pages dealing with general aspects of Berry Lane were written by Mr. & Mrs. J.M. Till who were also responsible for early documentary work and the editing of a large number of items from which the accounts of the individual properties are drawn. Material has been taken from the following sources: "The History of Longridge" by Tom Smith "The Preston & Longridge Railway” by Norman Parker "The Centenary Handbook of the Longridge Congregational Church" The Log Book of the Berry Lane C. of E. Boys School, L.R.O. The Minutes of Local Board Meetings 1883-92, L.R.O. 1837 Tithe Maps & Schedules for Alston and Dilworth, L.R.O. 1893 OS. 25 inch Map, L.R.O. National Census Returns for 1851, 1861, 1871 P.R.O. Where: L.R.O. - Lancashire Record Office, Preston, P.R.O. - Public Record Office, London.
Introduction Berry Lane is now the principal shopping street of Longridge, but it has not always enjoyed that distinction. As a road with houses and shops it is comparatively new. Prior to 1860 there were scarcely any buildings to be seen along its entire length. Bordered by fields it climbed the side of the ridge to reach the then village centre in Market Place. One of the first questions to come to mind concerns the origin of the name. It would be convenient to assume that it is named after a person, but in the absence of documentary evidence or oral tradition this is by no means certain. Old maps show a variation in spelling, i.e. Bury Lane. Mr. Brian Bamber has long suggested that it is most relevant to consider the name alongside that of another road climbing to the ridge i.e. Kestor Lane or on old maps - Caster Lane. The two words “Bury” and "Caster” have most interesting philological origins. “Caster” was often used to describe some type of fortification or stonghold and is frequently used as a suffix in the names of settlements with Roman associations. “Bury” originates in an old English or Anglo-Saxon word which means much the same as “Caster”. Is it coincidence that these two roads with names of common derivation should both be heading for a similar spot on the summit of the ridge? Was there indeed a fortification on the ridge? Close to where these two roads meet the ridge route there is Tootle Heights. The word “Tootle” has a significant derivation when considered alongside “Bury” and “Caster”. “Tootle” is a variation of “Tot hill". “Tot” is an old English word meaning a “look-out place” or an “eminence with a view”. Were the two roads leading to a fortified look-out post? Unfortunately any evidence of such a post has now probably been quarried away. 19th century documents enable us to trace the Lane’s spectacular transformation during the second half of the century as the industrial revolution overtook the village. The Tithe Award Map of 1837 shows three cottages low down on the north side of the road and two more at the very top of the lane on the south side. A small grouping at the entrance to Dixon Road were strictly speaking considered to be in Market Place. Dixon Road led to Sharley Fold Farm which was occupied by the Dixon family. The fields on the upper half of the north side of Berry Lane belonged to this farm. Those lower down were owned by the Parkinson’s of Crumpax farm. Most of the fields on the south side were owned by Longridge Chapel (now the Parish Church). The National Census Returns of 1851, 1861 and 1871 enable us to continue the story.
Map adapted from those accompanying the Tithe Awards for Alston & Dilworth - 1837
The map shows clearly the field system adjoining Berry Lane in 1837.
Key to numbers on the map.
In 1851 the situation was still similar to that of 1837 with a total population of 16 (5 adults and 11 children). The housing development of Berry Lane began in the late 1850's. By 1861 about six more houses had been built bringing the total to eleven. 47 people (31 adults and 16 children) occupied the cottages. About half of the adults worked with cotton (15). Another five were employed in the stone industry. During the next ten years the country lane rapidly disappeared as more and more houses covered the adjacent fields. In 1871 Berry Lane could boast no fewer than 69 houses stretching in long lines along much of both sides from top to bottom of its length. The population had risen to 376 (220 adults and 156 children). The cotton industry employed 117 of the adults whilst a further 23 worked with the local stone. From that time to this few additions have been made and the only changes in the domestic housing have been the conversion of many of them to shops and offices. It will be noticed that the principal architectural changes have been restricted to the ground floors. Most of the properties in the Lane present a sturdy appearance due to the use of stone for the facing. A closer look reveals that many of the stone building blocks are considerably longer than normal. These special blocks were known as “Longridge Longs” - the quarrymen referred to them as Longridge oddies. Berry Lane has bustled with shoppers for one hundred years, but after the second World War it was realised that the expected increase in vehicular traffic would present problems of safety particularly at the junction with Market Place where the footpath on the south side was very narrow and lower down where there was no footpath at all (from the Methodist Church to Dunderdale Street). About 1950 road improvements caused the clearing away of small front gardens and the low stone walls surrounding them. Even part of Mr. McCafferky's Cloggers Shop at the very top of the Lane was demolished (it was attached to the gable end of No.18. Market Place). These operations improved the traffic flow considerably until eventually in the 1970's the parking of vehicles themselves along both sides of the road had the effect of once more narrowing the carriageway and led to the painting of double yellow (no parking) lines on the north side along the entire length of the Lane from top to bottom. Berry Lane is orientated roughly NW/SE. The Lane is 3/8 mile long and rises 70ft in height from 368ft above sea level at the lower NW end to 438ft at the SE end in Market Place. Those who walk up its length regularly will be well aware that the gradient increases slowly at first, but more steeply after Mersey Street and reaches a maximum of about 1 in 10 in the region of the Library. The buildings are numbered from the top or Market Place end - odd numbers 1 - 99 on the south side and even numbers 2 - 88 on the north side.
Notes on the Minutes of Local Board Meetings 1883 - 1892 In May, 1883 a Local Board was appointed to deal with civic affairs in Longridge. Tenders were invited for the erection of Council Offices in Berry Lane next to the Cooperative Stores (where the Grocery Shop is at present). This plan did not materialise. In October, 1883 the Board borrowed £150 from the Order of the Druids to help pay for the installation of gas lamps. In November six lamps were ready and a lamplighter, Thomas Attwood, was appointed at 10/- per week. In December Messrs. Daggers and Pearson asked to see a copy of the Bye Laws as their premises were being obstructed by carts. Unfortunately the Board replied that their only copy had been borrowed and was, therefore, not available. In January, 1884 the Board received an order from a higher authority that pig-styes should be at least 100ft from any dwellings, but after a discussion they decided that this distance was excessive. The Board suggested that, this being a country district, 30ft was sufficient. In February many of the gas lamps blew out. It was decided to site some of them in draughty places to test them. At the April meeting it was reported that the Bye Laws had still not been returned. The Board was also informed that their suggestion of 30ft for pig-styes was not satisfactory, but that 50ft would be acceptable. The Board replied that the new distance would prevent 70 - 80% of the population from keeping pigs. In August, 1884 the Board ordered name plates for all the streets. In October they received a letter from Mr. Woolley, the schoolmaster, informing them that many of the street names were wrongly spelt. The Board ordered that the offending plates be removed and repainted correctly. The Board agreed to bear the cost of lighting the Co-op. clock. In December, 1890 two cases of typhoid fever were reported in Berry Lane. The Board ordered the Inspector to empty the bog. The Medical Officer of Health thought that the backyards should be flagged. It was also decided that the lamplighter should light the lamps on moonlight nights is the weather was wet or the sky overcast. In January, 1891 it was suggested that a bridge be provided at the railway station owing to the danger to pedestrians at the level crossing especially between 5 and 6p.m. when the mill people were going home from work. It was also decided to find the cost of draining and making settling tanks for 40 houses in Berry Lane and Market Place and submit it to the owners, and that they should carry it out at their joint expense. In February, 1892 the Inspector of Nuisances reported that out of 700 houses in the village proper 307 were now provided with tanks into which the whole of the privy and other sewage matter emptied. All of which prior to the Board's decision to adopt the tank system had escaped into brooks and ditches in the neighbourhood, but was now periodically removed and sold to local farmers for tillage purposes. A further 100 houses had been provided with covered ash pits which had the effect of materially lessening the impure liquid getting into streams. N.B. The street lighting was converted from gas to electricity during 1950-51.
An Account of Various Individual Properties In the following account the sequence begins at No.1 on the south side and continues downhill to No.99. Then follows the account of the North side beginning at “The Limes” and proceeding to No. 90. It will be noticed that No.1 (at present an empty shop called “Empire House”) is built with the gable end to the Lane. This alignment suggests a very old property and is confirmed by the marking of this property on the Tithe Map of 1837. It is probable that it was built at the end of the 18th century along with the adjacent houses in Market Place. The remainder of the block (Nos.3 & 5) was added later. Originally there was an archway between Nos.1 and 5 leading to the rear of the building which is now the cinema. No.3 now fills the archway although the remains of the arch can still be seen clearly. These three properties are the only ones in Berry Lane to be in Alston township. The remainder of the Lane is in Dilworth.
Whilst most of the shops in the Lane can boast a history of change there are a few, like Willacy's Toffee Shop (No.5) which, until its recent closure, retained much the same image in the 1970's as it did as early as the First World War. In the 1870's and 80's the shop was occupied by J. Crossley, Boot & Shoe Maker. Nos. 7 & 9 are now combined to form one shop, Keith Jones, Gents Outfitter. Until the late 1970's No.9 was Beryl Holden's Ladies Outfitter. She moved from here to Stone Bridge. In the 1920's No.7 was Higginson's, a Cloggers. In 1889 it was a Fish Shop. No.9 used to be Worswick's Jewellers and in the 1870's was a shop run by J. Crook, Druggist, dealer in British Wines and Prudential Agent.
The Methodist Church Methodism in Longridge first appeared in Circuit records in 1788. Services were held at a farm house in Knowle Green. In 1806 Methodists moved to a rented room in Langton Row (Dilworth Brow). In 1811 services were transferred to an upper room at the top of Berry Lane. 1836 saw the completion of the Mount Zion Wesleyan Chapel in Calfcote Lane (now converted to a private house). The continued expansion of Methodism during the 19th century led to the construction, in 1884, of the present church at a total cost of £1,400. It is faced with Longridge stone and has about 180 sittings. The pulpit, pews and communion rail are all of pitch pine. The first organ, a French harmonium, was eventually replaced by a reed organ built by Rushworth & Dreaper of Liverpool. This has in turn been replaced by a Hammond electric organ. Dunderdale Street - In 1871 the landlord of the Dog Inn was Robert Dunderdale. He owned the land on which Dunderdale Houses (now Street) were built. It is possible that he also had some connection with the building of the adjacent road, Brewery Street. No.19 is now Bailey's Newsagents Shop. Between the two world wars this was a Barber's run by Tom Watmough, then Mr. Dalby and later by Mr. Booth. It was complete with red and white striped pole. Mr. Booth, the barber, was also the local Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages - an interesting combination of jobs! His son is now the secretary of the Longridge Band. In 1871 it was a Grocer's run by Catherine McCoskery. The Hairdresser's shop at the corner of Chapel Street (No.23), now "Touch of Class”, has seen many changes. Until the mid-seventies it was called "Regent House”. Previously it was an Electricity Showroom and a Gas Showroom. Prior to that it was a Bank. In the 1920's Mr. Richmond had it as a Tailor's before he moved to Preston. Before Richmond it was Walton's Drapers. In the 1880's it was a Milliner and Dressinaker's. In 1871, Mr. Woolley and his wife, the Master and Mistress of the Independent School lived there.
Longridge Congregational Church (United Reformed) Many Congregational Churches are able to trace their beginnings back to 1662 when Parliament passed an Act of Uniformity which enforced the use of the Book of Common Prayer. Suddenly Nonconformity became an active and noticeable phenomenon of the Church of England. Its presence was felt even here in Longridge. At that time the Parish Church was but a Chapel of Ease under the Parish of Ribchester and as such had a “curate”, not a “vicar”. The Curate of Longridge at the time of the Act was the Rev. Timothy Smith. He firmly refused to conform to the Act and was officially “ejected” from the Parish Church (then called Longridge Chapel). It would appear, however, that the Church Commissioners did not enforce the “ejection” for Timothy Smith continued to preach in the Chapel. He is now regarded as Longridge's first Nonconformist. Congregationalism was not established in Longridge itself until the middle of the last century. It was preceded by a church at nearby Knowle Green. During the late 1850's employment prospects diminished rapidly in the small village and many families began to move into Longridge to find work. The Pastor at Knowle Green at that time was anxious that the members of his church now in Longridge should not be forgotten. A room was rented and twice a week for four years the Pastor made the 23 mile journey to preach to his congregation. The venture was so successful that a Chapel Building Committee was elected to organise the collection of monies and on Good Friday, 1865 the corner stone of the New Independent Chapel and school was laid. Special trains were arranged to and from Preston - return fare 6d (2½p) and meals were provided at The Railway Hotel (Towneley Arms) - dinner 2/6 (12½p) and lunch 1/- (5p). A policeman kept order as the procession moved from the station to the site. The Independent Church of Christ at Longridge was formally opened on August 21st, 1865. Presiding over this occasion was one oi the foremost founders of Independency in Preston, the Rev. D.T. Carnson. (See Longridge History Society Magazine Vol.1 for further notes on D.T. Carnson). The first minister appointed in January, 1866 was the Rev. William Booth - a man of many interests who understood “cotton, book-keeping, architectural designing, parsoning and divers other things”. He designed the school room at the rear of the church which, as the Longridge Training School, opened in 1866 as a Day school. This “Independent” School, which adopted “the principles of the Congregational Board of Education, refused Government aid and with it Government interference and control”, was so successful that on Good Friday, 1867 a foundation stone was laid for a new Day and Sunday School. The Rev. W. Booth also designed “The Manse”, a corner house almost opposite the church. Apart from a very fine stone facing the house also possesses a most pleasant rose window in the gable. The Rey, Booth was its first occupant. By the turn of the century it was decided that modernisation was required in both church and school. During 1901 an organ chamber, choir pews, rostrum and two vestries were constructed. The side galleries were removed and the old thick glass windows replaced by “modern lead lights” and the whole of the building re-lighted, re-heated and re-ventilated. The “Archibald Memorial School” was opened after adding to and reconstructing the existing school. The Independent School finally closed when the Longridge County Primary School opened in Barnacre Road in 1969. The Durham Ox (No.25) was probably built during the 1860's when it was number 12. During the early part of this century it was possible to hire a horse and cab from the landlord. The room behind the inn has been used by Longridge Band for over 100 years. Prior to that the room was used by the St. Lawrence Band and the Oddfellows. The Liberal Club which was founded in the 1880's also met here towards the end of the 19th century.
The Longridge C. of E. School The Church of England School is the third such school in the village. The first, erected in 1731, is commemorated by a plaque set into the wall on the southern side of St. Lawrence Church. The second was built in 1832 on the north side of Lower Lane almost opposite the lych gate. It is now a joiner's shop and bears the date in Romani numerals. In 1865 a school was built in Berry Lane. It was purely for girls and was extended in 1878. The boys remained in the old school until 1885 when Robert Smith built them a new school close to the girls. It was known locally as “Robert Smith's Boys School”. The first Log Book of the Boys' school contains the following interesting entries. They are selected from the many which the headmasters considered appropriate to write. Not only do they tell us about the life of the school, but they also tell us much about the Longridge area - its people, its customs, its weather, its health and its economy. 1885 Feb. 26th Dismissed the school this afternoon till Monday to allow for removal of books etc. to new school. Last day in the old school which was built in 1832. Average attendance 126. Mar. 2nd Did not keep to timetable as we are unsettled at present. Mar. 16th Very poor attendance on account of cattle fair. April and May Several children were admitted from the Independent School (behind Congregational Church). One was admitted from Alston College (for history of this college see Longridge Hist. Soc. Magazine Vol.4). July 28th Scripture examination by Diocesan Inspector –“This school may be classed as Fair. The answering, save in Group 2, cannot be described as intelligent". Aug. 10, 11th Holiday for Longridge Guild Sep. 30th School Year end. Average attendance 122. Oct. 12th New school year, new head (Herbert Barker), new timetable and new books. Nov. 5th Holiday for Fair. 1886 Mar. 2nd Snow 18ins - 24ins. No. present 86. July 26th School opened after 3 week's holiday. July 30th In consequence of unfavourable weather during the greater part of the holiday the farmers have not finished hay-making and therefore a great number of boys are still absent from school. October Staff - Headmaster, Assistant Master and 3 Pupil Teachers. Average attendance 157. (The pupil teachers were taught by the Head from 7.45 - 9.00am. each morning. He then taught in the school during the day as well as taking two night classes each week.) 1887 Mar. 28th Mr. Deane became Headmaster. May 20th Very stormy. 4 boys late. They were standing outside the door as they could not open it. May 24th Received a present of 200 oranges for the boys in honour of the Queen's Jubilee (from an unknown friend). Jun. 27th School re-opened after one week's holiday. Attendance poor. Some sick, but also haymaking has begun. July 25th Several boys returned after being absent 3-4 weeks for haymaking. Aug. 31st 42 boys away with measles. Nov. 1st School re-opened after 2 week's holiday on account of a bazaar for the new church (St. Paul's). 1891 Jan. 30th Closed school at noon. Children having their treat this evening. May 8th Attendance low, colds and sore eyes. May 29th Att. very low - influenza prevalent in the village. Aug. 21st Att. better. Some boys returned after 8-10 weeks for haymaking owing to bad weather. 1895
Aug. 29th Agricultural Show. Attendance this morning very poor so I shall close at noon and give a half holiday.
1898
Oct, 21st Attendance falling off - a dozen or so boys stop at home on washing day “to mind the baby”.
1907
May 3rd Standard VII boys are now entirely minus, the last going full time to the factory today.
1911
Mar. 31st Numbers on register lower now than at any time during the last 20 years. There have been many removals from the village in the last 3 months.
1916
May 1st Mr. Lloyd who had been in the army since Nov. 8th died on Thursday of “spotted fever”.
1918
Oct. 22nd Closed the blackberry gathering. Quantity of blackberries sent is 807 lbs.
Nov, 13th Armistice. Torch light procession.
Nov, 15th About 25 lbs of fruit stones collected by the boys were sent to the Ministry of National Service to make charcoal for gas masks.
1919
July 1st Peace Treaty signed on Saturday. Full day's holiday for children yesterday.
July 19th Peace Celebration. Children in Character Procession 10 a.m. Parade in village - short service on Tootal Height. Refreshments in schools at noon. Field Day in afternoon with patriotic songs, sports, refreshments, concert, dancing etc. and bonfire.
After the opening of the County Secondary School in Preston Road in 1959 the C. of E. school became a Primary establishment. In the 1970's an extension joined the two buildings together.
The Conservative Club (No.27)
This building was erected during the 1880's by Frank Ellis, a local stonemason. Concerning it Tom Smith in his “History of Longridge” states (from a Liberal point of view):
“Ceasing to be blinded with stupor, the Tories, on their recovery, recognised the importance of what had been done (by the Liberals), and with a courage born of something like despair resolved to recover the ground their confidence had temporarily lost them. A Conservative Association was formed, and it was decided to build a club. The club is a plain but very commodious building in Berry Lane, and is handsomely furnished. There are two billiard rooms, reading room, and office, besides accommodation for the steward." There was no bowling green until 1926 because up to that time that part of the land was owned by the church who had to consider its possible use for school extensions.
Longridge Industrial Co-operative Society's - Central Stores and Co-operative Hall The members present at the quarterly Meeting of Longridge Industrial. Co-operative Society held in the Independent Schoolroom, Berry Lane, on 1st April, 1878 discussed the advisability of building a Central Store, with hall above, to meet the demands of expanding business, and so relieve their two other stores in Pitt Street (Derby Road) and Fell Brow. On 7th October, 1878. it was decided to purchase from the Church a plot of land in Berry Lane containing 2,157 superficial yards at a total cost of £323 12s 8d. Messrs. Longworth and Gardner were appointed architects and after visiting other stores in the county drew up several possible plans. On 10th February, 1879 a plan was decided upon with the proviso that the cost of the land, building and fittings should not exceed £2,500. By 26th March tenders had been received and allocated. Work must then have proceeded apace, for on Saturday, 24th May 1879 the ceremony of laying the corner-stone was held. A procession set off from the Fell Brow store led by a brass band. Mr. R. Smith ceremonially laid the corner-stone at the right-hand front corner of the building. There it still lies, below the shoe shop window, but hidden by a tiled facade added more recently. A bottle was placed under the corner stone. It contained three local newspapers, the society's last Quarterly Report and Balance Sheet, a copy of the Society's Rules and a copy of the Co-operative Newspaper. On 3rd December, 1879 it was decided to fix an eight day clock on the front of the building at a cost of £45. In February 1880 three members were elected “to wait upon the gentry of the district to solicit subscriptions for the clock fund”. At last on Saturday, 17th July, 1880 the New Central Stores and Hall was officially opened. Once again the occasion merited a procession led by the Longridge Brass Band. This original building is the part beneath the present triangular pediment and clock face. However within the space of seven years it became apparent that even this building was not sufficient to cope with expanding trade. An extension was planned to accommodate a Drapery and Furnishing Department, with a large room above for public use. The work was duly carried out and the extension was opened in October, 1883 with a tea party, concert and Ball. No more major building took place until 1933 when the present Grocery and Butcher's Shops were built. The grocery dept. was extended in the mid-seventies. It also absorbed the Greengrocery Dept., which closed down at No.22. The present Co-op Coalyard and Office was previously Banks'. Across the Lane, lower down than the present Willows Park Lane, were, amongst others, the offices of the Longridge Coal & Cannel Co., the Wigan Coal & Iron Co. and Preston Farmers. All were, of course, served by the railway.
The Railway and the Towneley Arms The point where Willows Park Lane joins Berry Lane marks the site of the "level crossing” of the Preston - Longridge Railway. The Railway opened with horse drawn wagons in 1840. Its initial purpose was the transport of local stone to Preston where it was unloaded at Deepdale and transported to the main line or more commonly trans-shipped to Liverpool. The line ran into the quarries at Tootle Heights. The conversion to steam took place in 1848. About that time the Towneley Arms, a new, elegant, well conducted hotel and posting house, was built. For many years it was railway property. The name reminds us that a branch line via Hurst Green to Burnley, the seat of the Towneley family, was originally planned. The single storey station buildings were built about 1872. Originally the canopy was much longer and was attached to the Towneley Arms. The existence of the railway led to the development of the cotton mills in Longridge. Passenger and goods services expanded rapidly. A marshalling yard on the north side of Berry Lane handled the raw materials and products of a diversity of local industries. Coal was the most important commodity. Apart from raw cotton and cotton products, coke and pig iron arrived for the local foundries whilst castings departed. Agriculture also profited as both animal foodstuffs and cattle were transported. Willows Park Lane marks the route of the line to the Victoria Mill siding and to the Tootle Heights Quarry and Lords Quarry. The lines of the marshalling yard, goods yard and to Crampoaks Mill branched off on the west side. The line finally closed in 1968. Towneley Gardens are clearly marked on the 1893 Ordnance Survey 25 inch map. Even at that time the bowling green was in its present position. Although the green was at one time administered by the local council eventually the British Legion Club was asked to take over the running of it. Nos.43 & 45, between Towneley Gardens and Towneley Road, were built prior to 1889 possibly by Ellis Wilkinson, the proprietor of a Mineral Water Firm at No.43. The mineral waters were in thick green glass bottles with a “glass alley” in the neck. The wide doors provided the entrance for the lorries, both horse drawn and motorised. In the late 1920's part of it was used as a laundry. The large entrance in Berry Lane was the way into a mini-market for greengrocery and fish. Later the rear of the building, which was formerly the laundry, was taken over by Mr. Lawrence Bond, the maker of the three wheeled Bond Minicar. It was thus occupied for quite a time until the firm expanded and moved to larger premises in Ribbleton Lane, Preston. In 1939 the building was taken over by the Auxiliary Fire Service to house the local fire engine and switchboard. This use continued until the building of the new Fire station in Whittingham Road in 1967. At present the local Youth Club uses the part which adjoins Berry Lane. In 1958 the “Over 60's” Club took over two rooms at the rear, but ten years later were able to move into their present premises in Towneley Road. At one time No.45 was an Optician's. No.47, now H.A. Wilcock, Insurance Broker, used to be J. Moss's Grocery Shop in 1889. More recently it was kept by Mrs. Parkinson who, amongst other things, sold parched peas. Later it became a cafe run by Mr. Radborne followed by ''Brief Encounter”, a coffee bar. It then became a Ladies Hairdresser, Myles of Broughton''. Nos.49 & 51, now Crook's Confectionery Shop, used to be run by Edelstons - 49 as a cafe and 51 as a confectioner's. Previously No.49 was Richmond's Confectioners and No.51 was Knowles' Newsagents - earlier Kay's and way back in 1871 it was a sweet shop. Nos.53 & 55, now Arnold Swift's shop, used to be Prestwich's Ironmongers (No.53) and was kept by Mrs. Hewitt and later by her daughter, Gertie. No.55 used to be Moss's Saddlers Shop. Harness, saddles and other horse gear was hung outside. Many years ago No.71 was Riley's Paper Shop. Mrs. Riley was well known for her home-made ice-cream. Until 1980 the shop was Clayton's. Pearson's Corn Mill was in Stanley Street. The entrance was in Berry Lane, No.73, but the hoist was round the corner in Stanley Street. They sold oatmeal for porridge. The mill occupied the whole of the west side of the street with a storehouse at the end of the cul-de-sac. The Pearsons lived in one of the three houses on the east side. Sharples Court - This pleasant group of five cottages is approached through an arch between Nos.75 & 77. The cottages were probably built in the late 1870's. It is possible that the Court is named after Richard Sharples, stonemason, who in 1871 lived in the house on the west or lower side of the entrance (No.77). One can only speculate that it was he who had the cottages built. Prior to living at No.77 he was the landlord of the Wheat Sheaf Inn at the top of Kestor Lane (now demolished). No.81 is interesting because it was a Milk Shop during the last war, but has now reverted to its original use as a house. Very little evidence of the large shop window remains. Previously it was a Haberdasher's run by Mrs. Ratcliffe who was a very small woman. Mr. Ratcliffe was very tall and was a Scotch Draper. He walked the countryside with a pack on his back calling at outlying farms and cottages. Daggers Corner - The junction of Berry Lane with Derby Road is still referred to by local people as “Daggers' Corner". The corner premises (Nos.97 & 99) is now a chemist's shop, but way back in 1871 it was occupied by James Daggers, bone crusher, corn and provision dealer and grocer. It was then No.38. At that time Mr. Daggers employed 18 year old Richard Parkinson as servant and carter to help him. The Grocer's was the present shop of Brierley's Chemists whilst the corn transactions took place behind. The first floor taking-in door and the position of the hoist is still visible in Derby Road. (Nos. 97 &99 now demolished to make way for traffic island at junction of Berry Lane and Derby Road.)
The North side of Berry Lane “The Limes" was once an imposing gentleman's residence. Although in the heart of the village its privacy was secured by the many trees which surrounded it. The exact date of its construction or its original owner are not known, but it was clearly built in the later part of the last century. In the 1871 census the enumerator does not name "The Limes” as such, but refers to the first house below Dixon Road as “The Oaks", then occupied by William Marsden, Cotton Manufacturer employing 190 hands. The house would be quite appropriate for Mr. Marsden's status. However a Directory states that James Kay, junior, was living at “The Limes” in 1889. The Kay family was also “in cotton”. Thus the question arises - Did the house change its name? If not where was "The Oaks"? Or did the enumerator get his trees mixed up when completing the form? The house was purchased in 1947 by the Longridge Urban District Council for use as Council Offices. After local government reorganisation in the early 1970's The Limes" was sold by the Ribble Valley Borough Council and now contains the offices of three companies. A new Library was built in the grounds in 1964 to replace the old one which stood in Market Place. The new library opened with 8,000 books and contrasted most favourably with a much earlier one which operated for two hours per week in the C. of E. School where the books were spread out on the desks. Next to "The Limes'' is the Trustee Savings Bank. This building was originally two shops. The lower one on the corner of Hodder Street (No.4) was a shoe shop before it became a branch of the Preston Savings Bank. In the early twenties the upper shop (No.2) was Whittle's Confectioners, then later Wilcock's Paper Shop. Mr. Wilcock also ran a taxi service. In the 1940's the Paper Shop was run by the Dobson family. Eventually Mr. & Mrs. Bailey took it over. The business was later transferred to premises on the opposite side of the Lane at No.19 where it is now run by their son, Donald. In recent years No.2 was again a Confectioner's before it was added to the T.S.B. in the mid-seventies. The building on the lower corner of Hodder Street (No.6) used to be the District Bank. It now holds the office of J.D. Cliff, Insurance Broker. Next door (No.8) was originally a double fronted stone house called "Rose Cottage". The 1880 Directory for the Preston area states that John Jackson, Land Agent, lived at Rose Cottage, Berry Lane. However, in the Lancashire Record Office there are plans drawn up on the instructions of Robert Smith in 1896 for the building of Rose Cottage. Did he demolish Jackson's house or extensively remodel it? (Robert Smith was the owner of Victoria Mill and builder of the C. of E. Boys School. He also gave the land on which St. Paul's Church stands.) Later the house was occupied by the Booth family. Hedley Booth ran an Ironmonger's Shop on the corner of Irwell Street. Rose Cottage had a small garden at the front. It was surrounded by a stone wall topped by rails and entered by a little iron gate in the centre. Miss Booth was often seen tending the flowers and herb beds whilst wearing a large flower decked straw hat. More recently Rose Cottage was occupied by the Lund family. Mr. Lund was the last headmaster of Longridge R. Smith's Senior School. After the amalgamation of the District with the Westminster Bank “Rose Cottage” was bought and converted to its present use as the National Westminster Bank.
St. Paul's Church The church is, of course, in Church Street rather than in Berry Lane, but it occupies such a commanding site overlooking the Lane that it can profitably be mentioned here. Although a fine, distinguished building St. Paul's is nevertheless a Chapel of Ease. The Parish Church of St. Lawrence is some little distance away. The siting of these two churches reflects much of the history of the village. Prior to 1750 the village nestled neatly around the Chapel of St. Lawrence (at that time a Chapel of Ease to the Parish Church at Ribchester). However the succeeding periods of expansion of the village during the 18th and 19th centuries took the population further and further from the Parish Church. The centre of the village moved first to Market Place and then to Berry Lane. Apart from finding itself on the outskirts of the community the Parish Church also found its accommodation inadequate. Between 1822 and 1888 the population of Longridge had increased from 1,917 to 4,000 but no additional accommodation had been provided in the church. This remained at 650 in pews which were too narrow to allow kneeling. The first serious suggestion that there should be a new church in a central situation (i.e. in Berry Lane) was made in 1868, but was rejected as premature. In 1873 a special committee decided that a church should be built, but opposition from the vicar eventually led to the abandonment of the plan. The difficult situation was somewhat eased by the use of the Girls School in Berry Lane for services. A new vicar and a new committee eventually approved the construction of a new church in Berry Lane on a site given by Mr. Robert Smith. The corner stone was laid by Lady Constance Stanley in 1886 and the main building (chancel and nave) opened for worship about four years later. Appropriately local stone was used throughout and all contracts carried out by local men - Messrs. Kay & Pinder, stone merchants, Mr. R. Robinson, joiner, and Mr. R. Bell, painter. The tower was added many years later in the 1930's. “Trendy Tots" (No.14) was, in the 1920's, a confectioners and Toffee Shop run by the Shuttleworths. Mr. Shuttleworth had a cycle repair workshop in a wooden garage there. This wooden building is still in use - not a bad life for a wooden shed. During the 1930's the shop was run as a Ladies Outfitters known as "Jean's”. The Carpet Shop (No.16) is in a building which dates from 1905 and was built, owned and run by Mr. Turner, a draper. Mr. Turner served his time at Middlebrook's, Church Street, Preston before starting his own drapery business at No.7 (now Keith Jones'). The land on the east side of the shop was originally intended to be a road and was provisionally named "Ribble Street”. The rest of the block (Nos.18 & 20) was also built by Mr. Turner, but rather earlier, about 1890. The "Off Licence" is comparatively recent. This shop is best remembered by Longridge people as "Foley's”, a prosperous grocers. Mr. Foley was the brother of a Preston wholesale grocer who started the first bus service to Longridge - "Pilot”. Inside the shop a system of overhead cableways carried cylinders containing customers' money to a prominent corner where Mrs. Foley dispensed change and kept a watchful eye on proceedings. Even now the steps near the shop are still referred to as “Foley's Step”. No.22, the Estate Agent's Office, used to house the Cooperative Greengrocery Shop until the mid-1970s. In the 1920's it was Prestwick's Ironmongers Shop run by Hedley Booth. His errand boy was a well-known character, Bob Kenyon, “I'll send fleet of foot with it right away, madam”, Mr. Booth would say. The Post Office (No.24) has occupied its present position for about 100 years and if not the first occupant it must have moved in during the early life of the building. From 1882 W. Prestwick, the Ironmonger, ran the post and telegraph office, probably from the present building. Letters arrived at 7.15a.m., 2.30p.m. and 5.30p.m., and were dispatched at 10.00a.m., 1.00p.m. and 8.00p.m. coinciding with train times. Prior to the opening of the P.0. the Towneley Arms was used as a “posting house”. The 1861 census states that there was a Post Office in that year at No.10 King Street. The Barber's Shop (No.28) on the corner of Mersey Street has in its life been a Ladies Hairdresser, a Wet Fish Shop (during the 1939-45 war) and a Chip Shop in the 1920's. The house on the lower corner of Mersey Street (No.30) has recently been converted into offices for Dewhurst’s, Builders. Previously it possessed some beautiful stonework above the door and window. In the 1960's Mr. J. Cousin bought No.34 as a house and converted it into a Barber's Shop. Afterwards it changed hands still as a Barber's before becoming an Optician's. Tommy Cunliffe bought No.36 for £500 in 1921 and converted it from a house to a shop. Recently a similar property nearby was sold for over £30,000. The Co-op Office (No.38) used to be Mr. Rookesby's Tailors shop, and later the Co-op Tailors. Behind it was a Clogger's shop. The Midland Bank (No.42) has been at the present premises for at least 60 years. In the 1880's three banks had offices in Berry Lane, open on Thursdays from 10.30a.m. to 2.30p.m. They were the Preston Banking Co., The Lancaster Banking Co. and the Manchester & County Bank. The last two were incorporated into the District Bank which later became part of the National Westminster Bank. The Preston Banking Co. was absorbed by the Midland Bank. Nos.40, 42 and 44 were built at the turn of the century by Mr. J. J. Sumner. His son and wife occupied No.44 and started a grocery business there in 1913. Later ovens were installed in a wooden lean-to structure at the rear where a thriving home-made confectionery business was built up during the 1920's. Wartime rationing led to the virtual shut down of bakery activities and Mr. Sumner sold out in 1946. The premises were bought by the Co-op. in 1948 and became the Dispensary for the Chemist's shop next door. No. 46 was for many years Topping's Chemists before being taken over by the Co-op. On the site of the small landscaped council garden at the corner of Humber Street (known to the children of long ago as Station Hill) was a wooden cabin with veranda and entrance facing Humber Street in which Mr. Alston carried on his business as a photographer. It was he who took the well-known series of photos of the "Peace Procession in 1919. These photos were taken from his veranda and feature in the foreground Mr. J. S. Lloyd (then 6 years old) with his father, mother and brother. Mr. Lloyd still lives in Longridge at No.12 Berry Lane, The cottages, Nos.48 to 62, were part of the Crampoaks estate. They were built to house workers employed at the mill. A stone archway still remains around the window of No.54. This was once the entrance to the mill, but fell into disuse in 1929 when it was converted into a room. Prior to 1944, Nos.56 & 58 were shop and house kept by Miss Annie Pomfret. Miss Pomfret, who died in 1944, aged 84 years, was an authority on the Royal Family and could recall the times when Lord Derby travelled in carriage and pair to his residence at “Black Moss" in Thornley. In her younger days Miss Pomfret sewed seams in cloth at her Crampoaks Mill cottage. Thus she repaired the weavers' faults by cutting out the offending pieces. The weavers were fined 3d or 6d according to the type of fault. This money was used to pay the seamer. It must be said that many of the faults were caused by poor yarn and poor machinery. In 1924 a private school was established over No.56. The school was run by two sisters, Miss Josephine and Miss Winifred Smith. In later years it was moved to College Villas with Mrs. Bowden as teacher. This school was the forerunner of the present "Woodlands” private school in Ribbleton, Preston. From 1962-69 Mr. & Mrs. J. Tillotson lived at No.62. The previous owner was Mr. Bob Scott who had died in his 80's. In 1969 the property was sold to Mr. H. Wilcock who was then starting his insurance business. Later he moved across the road to No.47. Afterwards No.62 became briefly a boutique before becoming J. Cousin's Hairdressers. The Spar Super-Market and Freezer Centre stand on part of the site of the Crampoaks Mill. The shop was built by Whittakers who required larger premises after the success of their shop at No.82. The Filling Station of Willacy & Baker's Garage was erected on the site of the mill lodge which had a thriving population of goldfish. The Garage Workshop at the rear was the mill weaving shed erected only a few years before closure. Prior to its use as a workshop, the shed was a Hatchery for Fairburn's and later Stirling Chicks. Crampoaks Mill was built in 1851 by William Marsden and J. Hayhurst and became Longridge's second power loom mill. The mill was three storeys high with a square chimney. It had both spinning and weaving sheds. In 1925 the mill was recorded as having 501 looms. A branch railway line ran directly to the mill from the sidings. The mill closed in 1959. No.64, now Conroy & Jones, (previously Babyland) was the Labour Exchange 40 years ago. Many older Longridge people probably remember “signing on” there. Earlier still it was Holden's Drapers Shop. Mr. Holden was the founder of the Auctioneers in Warwick Street. Previously he held his auctions of animals on what is now the car park of the Alston Arms. Next door, No.66, was a Barber's shop run for over forty years from the mid-twenties by Freddie Bolton. Freddie was known to leave a customer in the chair "half done” and go down to Crumpax Farm for milk for his brew of tea. In the early 70's the shop was sold to David Hesmondhalgh, the licensee of the Derby Arms at Thornley. It became a restaurant and after wards changed hands to become the Chinese Restaurant, "Happy Valley” - the first foreign owned business in the Lane. At this time Mr. Hesmondhalgh also owned the greengrocer's at No.72. No.70 used to be a Barber's Shop with striped pole run by Mr. Ackroyd. The Greengrocer's (No.72) has had many proprietors over the years. William Duxbury was a grocer there between the world wars. He also had a corn mill in Inglewhite Road (now Ribble Fine Fare Shop). Nanny Eccles had the shop at No.74. She sold all manner of metal ware. Repairs were carried out in a hut behind No.64. Later the shop became a Cafe. It is now a Butcher's. In the 1920's the Laundrette (No.82) was a Druggist's run by Mr. Critchley. He was not a qualified pharmacist, but sold patent medicines, toilet goods and animal medicines. Mr. Critchley used to sell “Tootle Height Breeze Scent" and would take a tooth out for a 'bob'. The premises was later Harry Edmondson's Tailors and Outfitters and later still “Whittakers", Longridge's first real cut price store. Part of the shop is now a Laundrette whilst the lower section (previously a Dry Cleaner's) is now "Visions" Boutique. Next door (No.84) was Crozier's, the jewellers, run by Mrs. Crozier after her husband was killed in the 1914-18 war. Nos.86, 88 & 90 are now in Berry Lane, but previously they were considered to be in Inglewhite Road. These buildings (now Mercer's Travel and Everett's Cafe and Sweet Shop) were built by Joseph Fletcher at the beginning of the century. Their architectural style is quite different from the rest of Berry Lane or Longridge for that matter. The curved arches above the windows and the insertion of decorative tiles in the upper half makes this corner quite distinctive. It is thought that the tiles were purchased from the builders of the Miller Arcade in Preston. One of the shops was rented by Mr. Mercer. The telephone exchange was there and was operated by one of Mrs. Mercer's daughters. Mr. Mercer was killed by a train on the outskirts of Longridge in the 1920's. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * N.B. The two small posters advertising the school behind the Congregational Church were kindly lent to us by the Headmaster of the County Primary School in Barnacre Road. The one on the left is the later and is dated 1869. It will be noticed that in 1866 reference is made to BURY Lane and in 1869 to BERRY Lane. Presumably the spelling changed between these two dates or perhaps both versions were considered acceptable at that time. It will be noticed also that the name of the school was changed. The 1869 poster reminds us that many children did not attend school at that time as parents were respectfully urged to allow them to receive education.
BERRY LANE South side January 1981 1. Empty shop - previously Shoe Shop & Taxi Service 3. House 5. Empty shop - previously Willacy's Sweet Shop Brewery Street 7 & 9 Gents Outfitters - Keith Jones Methodist Church with Club room behind 11. House 13. Solicitors - Nicholls & Smith 15 & 17 Houses Dunderdale Street 19 & 21 Newsagent - Bailey's 23. Hairdresser – “Touch of Class” Chapel Street United Reformed Church 25. Durham Ox - Band Room behind Longridge C of E Primary School 27. Conservative Club Clarence Street 29 – 37. Cooperative society Buildings Coal Office Towneley Arms Towneley Gardens 43. Youth Club 45. House Towneley Road 47. Office - H.A. Wilcock, Insurance Broker 49 & 51. Confectioner - Crook's 53 & 55. Ironmonger & Hardware - Arnold Swift 57. Optician – Thomson 59 – 67 Houses 69 & 71. Newsagent Stanley Street 73. Bathrooms & Kitchens - Arnold Swift 75. Being converted to a shop Sharples court 77 – 95 Houses 97 & 99. Chemist - Brierley's BERRY LANE North side January 1981 The Limes The Library 2. & 4. Trustee Savings Bank Hodder Street 6. J.D. Cliff, Insurance Broker 8. National Westminster Bank Church Street (Calder Street) The Manse (in Church St.) 10. & 12. Houses 14. “Trendy Tots” Children's Clothes (Original site of Ribble Street) 16. Carpet Shop - Hancock & Hartley 18. Office of Dewhurst, Builder 20. Off Licence - Ashe & Nephew Irwell Street 22. Office - Entwistle, Estate Agent 24. Post Office 26. House 28. Barber's Shop Mersey Street 30. New office for Dewhurst, Builder 32. Solicitors - Marsden, Huck, McCann 34. Optician – Proctor 36. Electrical Shop - T. Cunliffe 38. Cooperative Society Office Severn Street 40. House 42. Midland Bank 44. & 46. Co-op Chemist Humber Street Willows Park Lane Site for new shops 48. – 54. Houses with small front gardens 56 – 60 Houses 62. Barber - Cousins Spar Shop Garage - Willacy & Baker 64. Shop (Toys & Stationery) Conroy & Jones (prev. Babyland) 66. Chinese Restaurant - "Happy Valley" 68. Antiques Shop 70. House 72. Greengrocer - Margaret's 74. Butcher 76. – 80. Houses 82. Laundrette Boutique - "Visions'' 84. Flower & Plant Shop - I M Everett 86. Sweet Shop & Café 88. & 90. Mercers (Premier) Coach & Travel Firm |
