Ormskirk Heritage Hub CIC is approaching its first anniversary with an ambitious plan to establish a museum in the town centre. Following the success of its micro-museum in a decommissioned K6 phone box near the Clock Tower, the Hub is close to securing new premises for a pop-up museum on Burscough Street. The curating is expected to be completed in time for an opening in early September, just before the National Heritage Open Days Festival.
Heritage Open Days: A National Celebration
Heritage Open Days (HODs) is England's largest free festival of history and culture, coordinated nationally by the National Trust and supported by partners including Postcode Lottery players. The 2026 edition runs from Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 20, with thousands of volunteer-led events across the country. The festival traces its roots to 1985 when the Council of Europe established European Heritage Days to raise awareness and appreciation for Europe's cultural heritage. Today, 50 countries participate, each highlighting the diversity of their heritage and intercultural links.
In England, Heritage Open Days has grown from 701 events at its launch to over 5,000 today. It is a unique partnership spanning public, private, and voluntary sectors, nationally supported but locally led. The Ormskirk Heritage Hub will act as coordinator for around 15 local events throughout the 10-day festival.
Clock Tower 150th Anniversary Launch
On Thursday, September 10, at 11am in Ormskirk Library, the Hub will host a pre-festival event to launch a new publication covering the full history of the Ormskirk Clock Tower, marking its 150th anniversary. Hub trustee Kathryn Macdonald will give a presentation at 11am; the talk is free and open to all.
The following day, numerous events will launch and remain open to the public throughout the festival. Hesfords of Moorgate will display interpretation boards telling the story of the Hesford family and their business. The Hayfield on County Road will also have boards showing the history of the original farm and farmhouse through to the modern era. Age UK Lancashire Moorgate will share its story on similar boards, illustrating the building's history and the group's founding.
Evening Presentation and Rare Regalia Display
On Friday evening at 6pm, Hub Trustee Dot Broady-Hawkes will give a free presentation in the West Lancashire Borough Council Chamber, explaining the history of local authorities and governing bodies of the Manor of Ormskirk. Spaces are limited, so pre-booking is required via the Heritage Open Days link or by contacting ormskirkhh@gmail.com. Various town regalia will be on display, offering a rare opportunity to view items related to local government history.
Farmers' Club and Dispensary History
On Saturday, September 14, the Ormskirk Farmers' Club in Burscough Street will open to non-members with interpretation boards explaining the history of the original Dispensary from the early 1800s and the transformation to the Farmers' Club 150 years ago. The Heritage Hub team will give a short presentation during the day, and the display will be available throughout the festival.
Clock Tower 150th Anniversary Celebration
On Sunday, September 13, a major celebration of the Clock Tower's 150th anniversary will begin at 11am in the town centre. Hosted by West Lancs Borough Council, the event will feature a vintage market, traditional live entertainment, artists working with children to create instant art, and a dozen charity shops along Church Street. The event will be opened by the Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, Amanda Parker JP, the King's representative in Lancashire since August 2023. Attendance is free.
At the top of Church Street, temporary pedestrian-operated traffic lights will allow crossing to the Church, which will hold its usual Sunday morning service at 10.30am and remain open until 3pm for tours. Using the same crossing and the pathway through the Churchyard will lead to the Civic, where a display will depict the history of the old Drill Hall, the Civic Hall renovated in the 1970s, and the modern Civic. The Pleasure Folk theatre group will perform short theatrical montages, and refreshments will be on sale.
Look out for this page next week for coverage of other exciting planned festival events.
