Padiham Archives Exhibition to return for 17th year

The Padiham Archives Exhibition is set to return for its 17th year later this month.

The event, which is held in the Padiham Tower ballroom, will take place from September 30 until October 1.

Organiser Ann Clark said she is excited for people to see the collections this year. She expects to see hundreds of people over the two days.

Moor Lane, Padiham, in the 1950s (Image: Padiham Archives Exhibition)

She said: “It has become an annual event and many people come from out of town to visit it.

“It’s a great opportunity for people to meet up and chat with people they haven’t seen in a year.

“I think people spent a lot of time clearing out attics during lockdown so we were inundated with items.

“I am looking forward to it but there is a lot to do beforehand.”

There will be a variety of features at this year’s event, including royal visits, school photos, filming of television shows, quirky Padiham street names of the past and transportation through the years.

Padiham Green School in 1954 (Image: Padiham Archive Exhibition)

Ann said: “This year some of the features include coronation celebrations in the town which date back to 1953 and further back, to celebrate King Charles’ coronation.

“We have also had a few royal visits to the town which we will be showing. These include George V and Queen Mary’s stay in the town.

“We will be screening a film, not seen before in Padiham, of the visit of the Duchess of Kent and Princess Alexandra to the Perserverance Cotton Mill in 1953.

“We will also feature forms of transport in the town, dating back to the early 1900s. These include trams and charabancs. We have also done a feature on the trains and the station which used to exist in Padiham.

Coronation party at Padiham Council School in June 1953 (Image: Padiham Archives Exhibition)

“We also have pictures of filming that took place in the past, including Hetty Wainthropp Investigates.

“Another feature will focus on streets with quirky names that existed many years ago

“There will be a lot of pictures that people have never seen.”

Admission is £2 for adults and accompanying children can enter for free.