Trail Time

Our PGCE trainees found themselves investigating different aspects of the history of Ormskirk this morning.

Our first stop was the Clock Tower itself!

The Clock Tower, is perhaps the heart of Ormskirk. It stands at a point, known locally, as Market Cross. Nearby, stood the grand King's Arms Hotel and The Talbot Hotel. It's hard to imagine Ormskirk needing two such large hotels today.

Once the trainees had got to grips with the map, we set off towards the Parish church of St Peter and St Paul.

This church is one of only three in England with a Steeple and a Tower. There are other links to the past, such as the location of the Church (the highest point of the town) and the stone work at various points of the building. Local legend tells of two sisters who couldn't agree whether the church should have a tower or a steeple, the solution? Build both. The truth however, is that the tower was built in 1548 to accommodate the bells from the nearby Burscough Priory, that had fallen foul of Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries 

Derby Street is home to the old Police Station, the Magistrate's court, the old Grammar school and various banks and solicitors. The architecture reveals a town that was once affluent and proud. On the side wall of the Magistrate's Court, you can see the standard feet and yard gauge of 1879. This was used to ensure that measures sold at the market were fair to all parties concerned.

Victoria Park reveals this sandstone monument that commemorates Sergeant Major Nunnery, one of the few survivors from the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War. It also commemorates the death of three local casualties from the Boer War of 1899-1902.

On our way back towards the town centre, work was taking place at a recently closed restaurant (the cafe bar). A quick peep inside suggests that it will soon be reopening as a bar. However, a previously hidden sign beside the main entrance provided another insight into the life of the town. Intoxicating liquor can be sold from these premises between the hours of 3 and 4pm on Thursdays. This is for 'the accommodation of persons attending the market.'

It was a real pleasure to walk  around the town with the two groups I worked with this morning. I'm really looking forward to our History sessions that begin next week.