The Mapping Museum research project was created to look at the increase in the number of museums in the UK. As part of this project, Stuart Whittle was interviewed about the Horwich Heritage Centre.

Explore more about the Mapping Museum project here and read Whittle's interview below:

Interview summary

Name of person being interviewed: Stuart Whittle

Location of interview: Horwich Heritage Centre

Date of Recording: 12 December 2018

Recording Length: 01:20:56

Name of interviewer: Dr Toby Butler

Description: Horwich Heritage Centre is a local history centre in Horwich in Lancashire, on the edge of the West Pennine Moors; it covers a range of industrial and social history of the town and the surrounding area

Summary of main points in interview: Whittle is co-founder and chair of Horwich Heritage, which started in 1985 following the closure of the locomotive works. The aim was to set up a history society that would help boost the morale of the town, and he came up with the idea with the principal of Bolton FE College. Neither of them was born in Horwich.

His background was in town planning and he had been involved in several heritage projects. After a public meeting the organisation was established and the Society met regularly; from the beginning they attracted more than 150 members and still have that level of participation.

Stuart describes the history of the rapid expansion of the town, and the feeling of loss when the railway works closed, which employed thousands of people. Horwich Heritage have been working to save some of the works’ historic buildings and are developing a heritage trail. A small room in the community centre was used for displays from 1995 to 2005. The Council then offered them tenancy of the building they are in now. They haven’t had museum training, but have had the advantage of a wide range of skill sets from volunteers, including retired librarians. They have a good relationship with Bolton Museum and borrow objects and receive advice from them.

Local people donate items, and they work hard to rescue items from buildings under threat. They try to cater for younger and older audiences. They had a small grant from the Council to set up and still get £1,500 a year from them. They had other grants from the HLF when they moved premises, and have income from membership fees, sales and events. HH has also been involved in restoring stone walls, markers, pillars and heritage features in the town. High points have been opening the new premises and seeing large numbers coming to see the exhibitions. Looking to the future, they have recruited some younger members, and Whittle discusses what might happen to the collection in future.