IN 1957, there was a double celebration at St Peter’s, Salesbury – it was the 150th birthday of the parish and the 70th anniversary of the church.

Not as big as it used to be – it once took in Osbaldeston and Dinckley – though still also comprised Wilpshire, Clayton-le-Dale and Ramsgreave, it had the distinction of having the Bishop of Blackburn among its parishioners.

The first church was a tiny, white-walled building on a hilltop, on the edge of the common known as Hazel Moor.

It was consecrated in 1807 and for two generations served its purpose – many of its worshippers being hand loom weavers.

Soon after the arrival of the Rev P Hopwood-Hart in 1873 a committee was appointed to organise funds for building a new church, the old one being past repair.

It was finally built and consecrated in 1887, with its chief cornerstone being laid with great Masonic ceremony.

An addition to the church and school buildings was in 1928 when a recreational Memorial Hall, commemorating those who fell in WWI, was built.

This was during the ministry of the Rev Tracey Walker, vicar from 1910 to 1929, whose researches were responsible for much of what was known of the parish’s history.

During the anniversary celebrations, an invitation was extended for all the couples who had been married at St Peter’s to attend a special evening service.