Keeping East Lancashire in the picture

This exciting two-year project, 2023-2025, has been bringing together thousands of people in east Lancashire, of different ages and backgrounds, to make the amazing collections of historic photographs in their libraries more accessible, inclusive and sustainable.

With a budget of £222,000 (£192,000 provided by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and £30,000 by The Friends of Lancashire Archives), the project has involved schools, community groups and individuals in Burnley, Pendle and Hyndburn. At the project's core has been an amazing team of volunteers who have digitised tens of thousands of historic images which will soon be available in Red Rose Collections for everyone to enjoy.

Over the last 18 months we have organised public 'drop-in' sessions, family 'fun days', regular exhibitions and illustrated talks, giving local communities the opportunity to learn about their heritage and have fun.

During August and September 2025 there will be a final exhibition of photographs old and new in Accrington, Burnley, Nelson and Colne libraries, and a programme of events to interest all ages.

Contact us by email archives@lancashire.gov.uk or phone 01772 533819 if you want to know more about the project.

 Thanks to National Lottery players