Chorley Remembered. A Look at the Town in the 50's, 60's and 70's

IN CHORLEY REMEMBERED acclaimed local historian Jack Smith continues the story of the town by moving into the 1970s – the decade now itself acquiring a ‘nostalgia quotient’.

Still taking in the 1950s and 1960s as well, he uses over 300 photographs previously unpublished in book form to show how the town has changed and how life was in Chorley 20 to 50 years ago.

People, places, major events from those three decades are recalled to give a vivid picture of Chorley in those relatively innocent days before the internet was invented and when T-shirts came without slogans and it was legal to drive without seatbelts.

Readers will see how the streetscape changed as older properties were demolished and how new road layouts altered the look of the town that had hitherto remained unaltered for decades.

It is all here in this book – the events, the places and, perhaps most important, the people. They will certainly enjoy another journey down Memory Lane and the book will fascinate those too young to remember and stir powerful memories for those who are.

About the Author

Jack Smith has lived in Chorley all his life, yet his family roots lie in the railway town of Horwick six miles to the south where he served his apprenticeship at the Locomotive Works there during the 1950s.

Following this, he spent several years in the Merchant Navy as Engineer Officer, returning to Chorley, to work on mill maintenance.

In 1953, Jack was a founder member of the Historical and Archaeological Society in the town. He lectures/broadcasts on many aspects of Lancashire history.