Report and photos: Dot Broady-Hawkes

Just over 30 brave souls braved the winter conditions last night to attend the second meeting of the Ormskirk & District Family History Society for 2018.

The speaker was local man Peter Gateley of Town End who's meticulously researched the changing architecture of Town End via the use of ordnance survey and Tithe Maps, Census Returns and old photographs plus real memories of its older residents.

The presentation, which was expertly delivered, demonstrated the way the small area close to St Anne's Church had once been the site of the massive Aughton Brewery complex, which during the 19th century dominated that end of Ormskirk.

And the lost buildings of Town End Peter identified included the main Brewery complex, the original Presbytery of St Oswald, several small 18th century terraced cottages, Brookfield House - a grand Georgian residence - and the Rose Marie Ballroom, later converted and extended to house the Fire Station .

The audience found the depth of research fascinating and a lot was revealed about the background of the current buildings at Town End.