A NEW calendar produced for 2020 gives a fascinating insight into a specific part of East Lancashire both then and now.

Produced by community group Lidgett and Beyond, the calendar has taken some images of the area around Colne from the archives and members have been out with their cameras taking the same views today.

“We have produced calendars before including interesting views of the area and of the wildlife to be found here,” said David Cockburn-Price, chairman of trustees of Lidgett and Beyond.

“For this year’s calendar we decided it would be fun to do a ‘then and now’-style calendar.

“We have a number of images of the area in years gone by and some of our members are keen photographer and they set out to recreate them.

“What has been surprising is that for many of the views, very little has changed over the years.”

The main picture here - which features in July - shows Skipton Old Road with a horse and cart.

“The modern view shows two cars just about squeezing past each other, “said David, “whereas the old photo the cart6 has the whole road to itself. I think they call it progress!”

For the February photograph of Bent Lane the photographer persuaded his wife to get on the modern picture taking their dog for a walk to recreate the old image.

Some of the photographs do show major changes in the area,” said David. “One shows a cycle race on the cricket ground which is now where Park High School and a housing estate stand.”

Lidgett and Beyond campaigns to protect the environment and the area as a whole and has been heavily involved in creating the East Lancs Way.

An initial run of 200 calendars have been printed with proceeds going to the registered charity. Priced £5, they are available from All About Coffee and Birro’s in Colne and also by emailing jbirch9644 @gmail.com