‘Formby Folk’ community project set to share local legacy

A society who raises awareness of Formby’s heritage has started a new project aimed at bringing people of all ages together to better understand local culture.

The Formby Civic Society (FCS) has received a £500 donation as part of Redrow’s voluntary community fund that has seen £5,000 shared between 10 community groups and good causes around Formby.

The project will record, and make easily available to others, the contributions made by so many Formby people known as ‘Formby Folk’ over the past century and more.

John Phillips, chairman of the FCS, says they see the society as one of the key forces in Formby to protect and preserve its heritage and history and also to raise awareness of what the community has to offer by looking at the past and being involved in the present.

“‘Formby Folk’ is an opportunity to involve local people of all ages, whether members of FCS or not, in learning and recording more about our community from the past. We have chosen some great old photographs from our photo archive, photos reclaimed from old newspaper articles, and some were given to us by members for use in this project, dating back to around 1900. Thanks to Redrow’s donation, we have had them created into A2 copies so that small groups can sit round a table together and have a really good and detailed look at them- you’d be surprised at the memories and stories this can stimulate.”

Photos from the first session concentrated on three areas; changes in Chapel Lane generally from 1900 to the present day, how shops have changed over a century and finally how people have changed, using the example of the staff at the Post Office in 1910 and a set of focussed-in images.

Any information the group shares is then recorded and uploaded to the FCS website to share with others.

Presently, there are about 100 members of the FCS, many of whom are retired and of different ages but mainly aged over 60.

To reach out to younger generations, the society also visit local schools to provide illustrated talks and activity sessions.

The group is also currently involved with the Formby Business and Community Partnership in devising and publishing a set of Heritage Walks along Chapel Lane and were instrumental in establishing with Sefton Formby's only Conservation Area, in Green Lane.

Lesley Myers, sales manager at Redrow Homes (Lancashire) says: “The Civic Society is extremely involved in the local community, whether that be engaging with schools or working with the National Trust to provide research. It’s great to see the group planning meetings with an extended range of photographs and maps that they’ll be able to share with groups of all ages and interests.”

To find out more about the Formby Civic Society please visit www.formbycivicsociety.org.uk

For more information on Redrow’s new homes in Formby visit www.redrow.co.uk/sanderlingpark or call 01704 740627.