Neil Birtles
led a guided walk around Bretherton on Sunday 13 September. The
date coincided with the Heritage Open Day Weekend. A group of 23
gathered on Pompian Brow on what was a beautifully sunny
afternoon. The group was a mixture of Society members and
members of the local community.
Neil briefly explained about the layout of Bretherton and where
he intended to lead us. We then set off along South Road and our
first stop was outside the Congregational Church.
Second stop was the St John the Baptist Church. Built in 1840
and is a listed building. Neil took us inside and he described
its design as 'conventional'. The plans would have been used for
numerous churches at that time with just a few tweaks to them.
Prior to it being built parishioners would have had to visit
Croston.
Just after that Neil showed us an entrance to a public footpath
leading from South Road between The Old Rectory and a row of
cottages.
A plaque was on a wall near, which stated 'Chapel Walks 1344'.
Neil said it was believed the path probably led to an earlier
religious site. |
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