In 1251 Henry III granted lands (Lancashire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire) to William de Ferrers Earl of Derby; who in 1253 granted a charter of Borough status to a hamlet now called Bolton.
In 1256 Henry III granted a charter of Borough status on a hamlet we now know as Chorley.
Chorley, I understand, have lost their 1256 Charter!
On July 3, 1882, another Borough Charter was bestowed on Chorley with the motto Beware.
This, and the 1256 'misplaced' Charter, are part of our history. History cannot be destroyed, but evidence can be, and Chorley Borough has quite a good record of just that problem.
Many old and historically important halls and other structures have been demolished, and the fact that two official copies of an important document, listing all the listed buildings and buildings of historical interest, handed to Chorley Borough Council in 1973 (by the Lancashire County Council) when the borough took over responsibility for such buildings, have also been lost.
My knowledge of this came to light when I asked the borough in 1999 why a handloom weaver's cottage had also been demolished. The cottage was highlighted in the previously mentioned document and also in a publication produced by Lancaster University.
They replied that they did not have a conservation officer as such and have never seen the 1973 Listed building document. It does not appear to be in the office library.
The borough should be accountable for the preservation of our heritage.
The Chorley Borough Arms and motto Beware, granted in 1882, are our history. Let us try and restore and keep what history we have left in our town. Chorley has lost more evidence of its history than most other towns have ever had.
It is about time that all civic societies had some official powers, and in the case of CBC's non-action, that English Heritage were involved to give some guidance.
The problem is there has never been enough qualified borough officers and councillors who have had any real interest in the town itself and therefore no knowledge of its history - and it shows!
It would be a sad reflection on the people of Chorley if this official 'vandalism' of our heritage was allowed to continue. Beware!
Barry Lowe RIBA (retired)
Carr Lane, Chorley
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