A DEDICATED team of volunteers are piecing together what they hope will be the definitive history of Latchford.

Every Thursday morning, a dozen residents get together at St. Margaret's Community Centre in Lindley Avenue to work on their local history project.

The original aim was to put together an exhibition about the village's history, which would go on show at the centre during Adult Learners Week in May.

But their research has been so successful that they are now also hoping to publish a booklet detailing the history of Latchford from the 1800s to the 1990s.

They are also looking to produce a 'History Trail of Latchford' pamphlet, and there are plans for a mobile exhibition to visit schools and community groups in the area.

The work that they are doing will also eventually form part of the Warrington Memories exhibition which is due to go on display at the town's museum later this year.

The people involved in the Latchford project are all volunteers who put their names forward during last year's Adult Learners Week.

They are receiving lots of help from Janice Hayes at Warrington Museum, community development officer Mo Mitchell, and Priestley College's Carolynne Gavaghan.

Janice said: "The group's aim is to produce a thorough portrait of Latchford village.

"The members of the group are now beginning to develop their skills as local historians and the project is really beginning to grow."

Among the research being undertaken by the Latchford group is the history of buildings such as Raddon Court, Bolton Council School, Richmond's and the old post office.

They are also tracing the family tree of the Broadbents, who once lived at The Hollies, and looking at what life was like for people in Latchford through the years.

One mystery which the group has come across involves the enamelling department at Richmond's.

Group member Glenys Nicholls explained: "It has always been known as the Chandos, but we have been unable to find out where the name originated from.

"It sounds as though it may refer to a place name in France or Italy, but that has never been confirmed. We would like to know what the word means."

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