Astley 100

Astley Memories was launched in 2024 in order to collect important local stories and experiences about the Hall, and the project is still ongoing so please do get in touch!

Whether you had a wedding at the Hall, went on a school trip, volunteered, or have visited for years, we want to hear from you. The conversations collected as part of this project will be added to the Astley archive so they can be used to tell the story of the Hall for years to come.

Stories are collected in different ways, primarily through recorded interviews but you can also get involved by sharing photographs, written accounts, or artwork. These memories will then be used to tell the story of the past 100 years of Astley.

To take part you can email astley.hall@chorley.gov.uk for an expression of interest form and to get more information about the project.

2024 was an exciting year of celebration at Astley Hall, as we marked our 100 year anniversary of being open as a museum!

Astley Hall first opened its doors to the public in 1924, two years after Reginald Arthur Tatton gave it to the people of Chorley. Throughout 2024 we hosted a range of wonderful events and activity at the Hall including a special '100 years' themed Picnic the the Park complete with a parade, entertainment and a town crier, giving out hundreds of souvenir notebooks and pens to visitors of the Hall, a local choir performing a very special rendition of 'Happy Birthday', the 100 years exhibition, and the 'Astley Memories' project.

The Astley 100 Exhibition was first opened in the Coach House Gallery in Autumn 2024, and will return to display from April 2025

The exhibition showcases both objects connected to the last 100 years history of the hall, and some of the important stories collected such as from Eileen Entwistle, who got in touch to share share her memories of living in what is known as the Cottage to the rear of Astley Hall:

Eileen's father Mr Cann, was the Parks and Recreation Grounds Superintendent between the years of 1942-1967. He dedicated his career to ensuring that the boroughs parks, football pitches, bowling greens and floral displays were immaculate. Since hearing from Eileen staff at the hall uncovered letters from Eileen’s father sharing his own memories of when she was born, something she had never seen before and is now able to keep.

Please check back for for information regarding the opening days/hours of the Astley 100 exhibition