The archive is extensive and we aim to make many of these images available online.
*FEBRUARY 2025 UPDATE*
There are now more than 16,100 images on the website and our Other Collections section is growing, with several new collections just published including the CHAPEL AT HAGGATE and ELEANOR AND LEN'S GRAND TOURS - a fascinating look at package holiday tours in the 1950's. We have also inherited many images from the late Brian Hall's estate and we are working hard scanning these with the aim of adding many of them to the existing Brian Hall collection.
Did you know that you can also View our Articles to read longer articles written by our volunteers on a range of historical subjects.
We are now operating without the benefit of Heritage Lottery Funding and welcome donations to enable us to continue scanning negatives and making them available on the website. Donations can be made directly to us or via JUSTGIVING
Or scan our Just Giving account QR Code
We WELCOME NEW VOLUNTEERS and have vacancies on our Wednesday and Thursday afternoon sessions. If you can spare a couple of hours why not contact us and arrange a visit to the archive. All that is needed are some basic computer skills and an interest in local history. PENDLE AND WEST CRAVEN images can be found in the Surrounding Districts pages and we would welcome volunteers from the Pendle area to digitise images and stories about this area as we have no volunteers working on this area at the moment.
We have produced a short history about the project which you can download.
50 years Ago
Mayor-making was very much a family affair this year, for Burnley's new Mayor, Councillor Mrs Sarah Ennis, took office, watched by more than 40 relatives. Taking a front row seat at the proceedings were the eight children of Mayoress Mrs Eileen Ennis: Michael (21), Anthony (20), John (19), Marie (17), Gerard (14), Andrew (12), Catherine (9) and Stephen (7), and husband Mr Brian Ennis. Also there was the Mayoress's brother-in-law Fr Gerald Ennis, a Roman Catholic priest, who had travelled from London to be at the ceremony.
To become Mayor of one's native town is the proudest honour for any local politician. But for Burnley's new Mayor, Councillor Mrs Sarah Ennis, Wednesday's Mayor-making ceremony was more than this. It was the fulfilment of her dream to continue the work of her husband, former Councillor George Ennis. When her husband died, Councillor Mrs Ennis entered politics only to carry on his ideals. Now, after almost 16 years' unbroken council service she has carved a place which is distinctly her own in the annals of the town.
