Friends Of Penketh Library - FOPL

02/06/2026

🌞 𝐕𝐨𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔!

We’re looking for enthusiastic young people aged 𝟏𝟒–𝟐𝟒 to help with children’s events and activities throughout the summer. It’s a great way to build confidence, gain experience, and support your local community.

Ask staff for details or email 𝐥𝐢𝐛𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦@𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐰𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐭𝐨𝐧.𝐨𝐫𝐠 to get involved.

01/06/2026

01/06/2026

Available to reserve today.

31/05/2026

Today is the last day of Local and Community History month, so it seems appropriate to post this photo. It’s Reg Fisher’s coal cart and Rosie the horse. The last delivery of coal from Fiddlers Ferry.
There are more photos in the collection at Penketh Library. They are all printed out in a folder and also on a disc, which means you can print a copy out or email one to yourself.
The library has a lot of local history information, pay them a visit.
Thank you all for all of your likes and comments.

# Local and Community History Month. From a collection at Penketh Library.

30/05/2026

Penketh Council School
Top Maypole Dance 1920s, bottom left May Queen Hazel Jones and her attendants 1936, bottom right music and dance with Miss Wynn at the piano, December 19th, 1913.
# Local and Community History month. From a collection at Penketh Library.

29/05/2026

Penketh Leather Manufacturing Co. was known as The Cutting Shop, where shoe soles were cut from the leather produced at the tannery. When the Cutting Shop closed it was bought by Boultings. Two days before they were due to move in, this building, which apart from the brick facade was made of wood, caught fire and burned to the ground, then the building as it is today was built. Source, "The Penketh Recollections of Mr Frank Thomas,"
www.penketh.com
# Local and Community History Month. From a collection at Penketh Library.

28/05/2026

Everyone welcome!

28/05/2026

The Day Star School, on the corner of Chapel Road and Station Road.
The school was built by local cabinet maker Robert Garnett for the children of his workmen. It reportedly opened on January 8th, 1854.
Today it is a residential property.
# Local and Community History month. From a collection at Penketh Library.

27/05/2026

Corner of Chapel Road and Station Road.

The building on the corner is mentioned in this poem by resident Shirley Melling.

When The Siren Sounds
Lifted from sleep when the siren goes Zipped into siren suit over my clothes
Mum grabs her handbag, tin box and a flask I carry my doll and Mickey Mouse gasmask Dad says cheerio, he's in the ARP Leaving Mum alone to look after me Across the road into the corner shop we go Faces anxious in the torch light's glow
Behind the counter and through the trap door Into the cellar below the shop floor Mums sit on boxes, whispering amongst themselves
Children sleep fitfully up on the shelves
Then a knocking is heard, the warden gives a shout
'OK folks, you can all come out'
Fresh air once again, we can hear the 'all clear' Thank God, murmurs Mum, our house is still here
Shirley Melling, née Wilson

*The corner shop mentioned in this poem was Foden's, on the corner of Chapel Road and Station Road.

# Local and Community History Month. From a collection at Penketh Library.

26/05/2026

Top Barrow Hall, reportedly the site was formerly in the parish of Bold. Bottom old cottages, Meeting Lane, Penketh.
The hall is listed on Historic England’s website as Barrow Hall Moated site, Great Sankey. Great Sankey Neighbourhood was built on the site.
# Local and Community History month. From a collection at Penketh Library.