AN appeal has gone out for photographs depicting the 150-year history of the Victorian building in Oswaldtwistle, which now houses the Civic Theatre and new Arts Centre.

The centre’s creative director Gayle Knight has asked readers for pictures they might have of the building being used through the ages, particularly of the rooms on the ground floor, from the 1950s, or before.

It is believed the front part of the property was built in the 1860s, although an exact date cannot be found, and used as the administrative centre for Oswaldtwistle.

In 1887, a public hall was suggested as a suitable way to celebrate Queen Victoria’s golden jubilee, by W. E Holt.

By 1890 Oswaldtwistle had a public hall built on the back of the existing board offices, with an upstairs ballroom – and the whole building became known as the Town Hall.

It was designed by M R N Hunter and the principal contractors were W H Bury and A Dichmont.

When local people demanded better fire protection, a fire engine was bought in 1900 and the Town Hall also became the fire station.

It stayed there for more than half a century, before the new, purpose-built station was built on the junction of Mill Hill and Union Road.

The building has been used as a theatre for many years and local amateur dramatics groups also used it, although numbers have been dwindling.

Said Gayle: “Last year Hyndburn Council decided to create an Arts Centre on the ground floor and the building’s role in the town’s future has been rewritten.

“We would love to see old photos of the building being used through the ages.”

You can contact Gayle at the arts centre on 07767 383435, or email her at info@gayleknight.co.uk