Until the Romans came Pre-Lancashire was likely to have been home to ancient Celtic tribes known as the Brigantes but they appear to have left no legacy in Huncoat.

When the Anglo-Saxons came to Britain in the second half of the Fifth Century Pre-Lancashire was still quite a sparsely populated wild area of peat moss and woodland. The climate was probably warmer than today and the dense woodland sheltered deer, wild boar and smaller animals feeding on the shrubs and grasses that grew in natural clearings and in the woodland margins by the rivers whilst wildfowl inhabited the wetlands.

A settlement at Altham/Huncoat seems most likely to have been established during Anglo-Saxon times when East Lancashire formed part of Northumbria under King Oswald.

The earliest mention in written history of anywhere local was in 798, when, (according to the Anglo Saxon Chronicle) “during Lent on 2 April a great battle was fought on Billington Moor near Whalley where, Alric son of Heardbert was slain and many more with him.” The victor was Northumbrian King Eardwulf. The vanquished were conspirators led by Wada who had murdered Eardwulf’s father King Aethelred I.

Whalley was already established as the centre of a large ecclesiastic Parish encompassing 45 townships including Accrington.

After decades of Viking raids the Danes eventually conquered Northumbria and Mercia but not Wessex. Thus the Altham/Huncoat area fell under the Danelaw.

Alfred the Great, Anglo-Saxon King of Wessex regained Mercia and reached an accord with the Vikings over the boundaries of the Danelaw.

Edward the Elder, King of Wessex and son of Alfred the Great took control of the area south of the River Ribble and attached it to his Midlands Kingdom of Mercia. Ecclesiastically this now brought Altham and Huncoat under the Diocese of Lichfield.

On Edward’s death his son Athalstan succeeded and in 927 he was proclaimed King of England.

The Anglo-Saxon King Ethelred the Unready fearing a resurgence by the Vikings attacked some of their lands in the Danelaw and ordered the massacre of all Danish men in England.

Swift retribution followed in the form of coastal raids by the Viking King Svein Forkbeard and eventually a full invasion conquered all England. However, Svein soon died and his son Canute being unprepared was expelled and Ethelred resumed the throne.

Canute returned and was victorious at the Battle of Ashingdon (Ashingdown) over Edmund 'Ironside', Ethelred's eldest son and successor. Canute and Edmund drew up the Treaty of Olney, which allotted The Danelaw and the English midlands to Canute, while Edmund retained control of southern England. This was almost a repeat of what had happened between King Alfred the Great of Wessex and the Vikings in the ninth century. Edmund died shortly after this treaty and so Canute found himself the first Viking king of all England.

On Canute’s death his two sons reigned in succession but both soon died without heirs. So the crown then reverted to the Anglo-Saxon line in Ethelred’s son Edward the Confessor.

The local Anglo-Saxon Thane was Leofwine who presided over a domain that included Huncoat and Accrington from a riverside manor house at Altham (originally spelt Elvetham). The manor house stood on high ground in a strategic position near a ford across the River Calder.

Oxen were employed to plough the land for growing wheat, rye and barley, cattle were pastured and the rivers provided good fishing. The land was unenclosed except for dwellings which clustered together in small ‘folds’ for protection from raiders and wild animals such as boar and wolf. Wains or wagons were used for transport and people were allowed “waingate” right of way with corn to the mill and to return with flour, hence the name of the lane out of Accrington being Millgate. Packhorses were heavily used in the transport of goods and minerals in England from medieval times up until the coming of the first turnpike roads and canals in the 18th century. Many of the routes crossed the Pennine Hills between Lancashire and Yorkshire, enabling salt, limestone, coal, fleeces and woven cloth such as wool and linen to be transported. Hence historic routes are now called packhorse trails. The climate was probably warmer than today and the dense woodland sheltered deer, wild boar and smaller animals feeding on the shrubs and grasses that grew in natural clearings and in the woodland margins by the rivers whilst wildfowl inhabited the wetlands.

Following the Norman conquest King William I divided up the country between his Barons and Roger of Poitou received the lands between the Ribble and the Mersey. Under him two Norman knights De Busli and De Greslet governed Blackburnshire which included Altham and Huncoat but Leofwine was permitted to retain some control of these estates in return for homage to the new regime. Under the 'feudal system' a tenant held land from a lord in return for certain services. The arrangement when military service was not involved was called socage. (If military service was part of the deal it was known as knight service until it was merged by statute in 1660 with socage). In England all land ultimately belonged to the king. Land held directly from the king was held by tenants-in-chief. These might have their own tenants who might in turn have their own tenants, and so on, in theory indefinitely. The tenant at the bottom of this feudal ladder, directly exploiting an estate, was said to hold it in demesne; any lords who stood on the ladder between this tenant and the king were called mesne lords and held the estate in service.

The Domesday Book recorded that “King Edward had had two carucates of land at Hunnicot” in Blackburnshire. Only three other places in the Blackburn Hundred (North East Lancashire) are mentioned in Domesday and these did not include Altham. The royal hunting grounds of the Forest of Blackburnshire covered Accrington, Pendle, Trawden and Rossendale. The Blackburn Hundred (Anglo Saxon) or Wapentake (Danelaw) meant the same thing, an administrative division. Two carucates would be about 250 acres or approximately the same size as the area now bounded by Burnley Road, Bolton Avenue, Enfield Road, Station Road, Lowergate and Highergate. A carucate was the amount regarded as ploughable by a team of 8 oxen in a season and was supposed to be enough land to support one family. A smaller land holding was known as an oxgang or bovate being the amount ploughable by one ox in a season, being just over 15 acres. The structure of the open fields system in Britain had been influenced by the introduction of the caruca a large wheeled plough, developed by the Gauls, which was much more capable of dealing with heavy English clay soils than the lightweight Roman version. The caruca required a larger team of oxen to pull it —as many as eight on heavy soils — and was awkward to turn around, so very long strips were ideal. Most peasants could not afford a whole team of oxen, just one or two, so maintaining an ox team had to be a joint enterprise. The medieval pattern of narrow fields can still be seen on the slopes above Spout House woodland.

Roger de Poitou’s possessions and influence waned after his implication in split loyalties between the King of England and the King of France. He was finally disgraced by supporting a failed coup for the English throne by King Henry’s brother Robert Curthose.

King Henry I granted Blackburnshire to Robert de Lacy 2nd Baron of Pontefract who built Clitheroe Castle. He was the son of Ilbert de Lacy 1st Baron of Pontefract.

Henry de Lacy, 4th Baron of Pontefract, 2nd Lord of Bowland, granted by Charter the manors of Altham, Accrington and Clayton to Hugh the Saxon son of Leofwine.

Henry de Lacy promised to dedicate an abbey to the Virgin Mary should he survive a serious illness. He recovered and agreed to give the Abbot of Fountains Abbey land at Barnoldswick to found a daughter abbey. Abbot Alexander with twelve Cistercian monks from Fountains went to Barnoldswick and after demolishing the existing church attempted to build the abbey on Henry de Lacy's land. They stayed for six years but found the place inhospitable. Abbot Alexander set about finding a more suitable place for the abbey and chose a site on the banks of the River Aire at Kirkstall near Leeds.

Hugh the Saxon founded Altham church. Originally dedicated to St Mary it later became St James’s.

The Cistercian abbey at Barnoldswick was relegated to a Grange (a farm run by lay brothers) when the monks founded a new Abbey at Kirkstall, Leeds.

During the reign of Stephen there was civil war with Scotland and to ensure his allegiance Henry de Lacy granted a charter confirming Hugh the Saxon son of Leofwine legal possession of the estates of Elvetham, Clayton, Akerington, Bylington and the monastery of Elevetham. Such monastery could only have been a small monastic cell serving the ford across the river Calder.

The County of “Lancashire” had come to be recognised if only to distinguish it from Northumberland in the “sheriff’s accounts of the shire”.

Henry’s son Robert de Lacy detached the ecclesiastical jurisdiction of Accrington and Huncoat from Altham in favour of Kirkstall Abbey. Thus began a long standing dispute by the Saxons of Altham over the status of their church and ill treatment lasting 80 years. Such was the bad feeling that three monks were murdered in Accrington and their “Grange” burnt down.

Roger, the last Dean of Whalley handed over his church to John de Lacy in exchange for a life pension and de Lacy placed Peter de Cestria into the living who then made claim to Altham and thus Huncoat.

Hugh the Saxon’s eldest son William inherited the manor and took the name de Altham. The younger brother Edward de Billington inherited rights to various lands including Huncoat and it was one of his descendants William who in residing at Huncoat acquired the name de Huncoat. Ellis de Pleasington was recorded as holding two oxgangs.

Huncoat is said to have been listed as one of 57 “Manors of Lancashire held as a demesne”. Demesne meaning land retained by the lord of the manor for his personal use. Huncoat is likely in those days to have been regarded as just a farm rather than a hamlet or village.

Peter de Cestria, rector of Whalley challenged the status of Altham parish church claiming it was merely a dependant chapelry of Whalley. The Pope delegated powers in respect of this dispute to the Prior of St Frideswide, Oxford ( which became Christ Church Cathedral in the reign of Henry VIII). The Prior decided in favour of Whalley so Altham lost its rights as a parish church not to be regained until the 19th century.

The monks of Kirkstall who still had financial interests in the lands at Huncoat defined a farmland boundary (then a vaccary or assart) at Wormley Clough (Warm Leaf), a small stream on the north side of the Coppice. “The pointed stone in Fernihalgh” was probably a 13th Century boundary marker, (see 1499 and 1844). Outside these vaccaries the countryside remained uncultivated hunting lands.

Rights to use of land in Huncoat was the subject of dispute between Richard de Altham, the Abbot of Kirkstall and Peter de Cestria rector of Whalley. On 18th June Richard was obliged to surrender his claim to rights.

William de Altham settled the long standing dispute with Kirkstall over Accrington and Huncoat rights by renouncing the claim in return for 80 marks of silver.

Kirkstall Abbey got into financial difficulty and relinquished their Accrington and Huncoat estates to the de Lacy family on leasehold.

After Peter de Cestria died Henry de Lacy granted Whalley to the monks of Stanlow Abbey against which William de Altham again disputed that Altham was a church not a chapel. A protracted legal wrangle ended in the Court of Arches on 20th October when William lost his case.

William de Huncoat was living in Huncoat Hall and the site on the hillside above the Griffin’s Head is possibly the earliest still surviving of any building in the village.

Simon de Altham continued to dispute the Altham church matter and managed to secure a settlement of £20 plus £300 costs in return for “resigning any rights he may have had!”

The Halmot Court records of Accrington indicate that Huncoat tenants farmed 309 acres and paid an annual rent of around £5 to the de Lacy’s on the Feast of St Giles (1st Sept).

John de Shuttleworth and John de Clayton were recorded as being granted to be free tenants of one oxgang each.

Since 1249 the lands around the English/Scottish border known as the “Marches” or “Debateable Lands” had suffered deprivation and oppression due to frequent battles between the two nations so were fertile ground for bandits and raiders such as the “Reivers” who exploited the situation. Following the victory of Robert the Bruce of Scotland at the Battle of Bannockburn in June 1314 North Lancashire was repeatedly raided and lawless times ensued. The “Great Raid of 1322” laid the county waste as far south as Chorley and King Edward II who had retreated to Rievaulx after a failed campaign into Scotland had to flee for his life. Subsequently his son Edward III sued for peace and signed the Treaty of Edinburgh-Northampton on 17th March 1328 which recognised Bruce as King of Scotland and in defining the border between the two countries gradually restored order in Lancashire. However, it was nearly another 400 years before true peace came to the borders with the Union of Scotland with England under King James.

John de Huncoat exchanged Huncoat Hall for a similar possession in Hapton belonging to a William de Birtwistle. Thus the family de Huncoat disappear from this history and the Birtwistles’ start 426 years of association with the village.

The de Lacy estates which had passed through the marriage of Alice to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster were forfeited to the Crown when the Earl was declared a rebel and executed. Consequently the Abbott of Kirkstall had temporary difficulty in obtaining the annual revenue.

Thomas’s brother Henry who had not been involved in the rebellion gradually recovered the de Lacy estates for the Duchy of Lancaster.

Lancashire gained special powers delegated by the Crown and became known as the County Palatine.

Brown Moor Farm known to have existed. A model of the farm was made by Albert Blackburn in his back garden in Lynwood Avenue. His bungalow was named after the farm with the original mill stone placed in the front garden.

The land belonging to the Duke of Lancaster including Huncoat passed to his son who became King Henry IV and thus remained a royal possession until the Civil War in 1649.

A Richard of Hill House was named in documented records (fined by the Court for chasing sheep).

Farming was becoming more important than hunting leading to deforestation.

Brown Moor Farm named in records as owned by Lettice, wife of Nicholas Towneley (see 1948).

There is evidence that Hillock Farm existed in "Tudor" times but originally called "Fernihalgh Vaccary." Vachery meant enclosure for cows. (See also 1250 and 1844).

King Henry VII appointed a Commission to grant out forests to copyholders which led to unprecedented development of lands for agriculture, mining and quarrying. (But see 1602).

Huncoat had its own Local Constable to uphold the law.

Oliver Birtwistle of Huncoat Hall died and his son Richard then aged 40 took over the Hall.

The parish church at Altham was rebuilt but retaining some of the original stone. There remains a greater range and variety of Norman work at Altham than any other church in Lancashire.

Eight yeomen from the village prosecuted John and Thomas Riley for trespass on Huncoat Moor but gained no satisfaction in court.

During the reign of King Henry VIII Huncoat came under the newly formed Diocese of Chester.

Matthew Jackson and the wife of Oliver Birtwistle held land according to the Subsidy Rolls (records of taxation in England made between the 12th and 17th centuries).

Richard Birtwistle and Anne his mother exchanged some lands with Sir Richard Towneley.

Records show that Huncoat had a pinfold enclosure where stray cattle and sheep were placed. Also that people were being fastened in the village stocks for wrong doings. (Also see 1722).

The first recorded enclosure of land in Huncoat Lane by Richard Birtwistle of Huncoat Hall was disputed in the Halmot Court (Local Government of Accrington). This may indicate that Old Hall Farm was in existence there then.

Kirkstall Abbey near Leeds was closed under the Dissolution of the Monastries and surrendered to King Henry VIII’s commissioners on 22nd November.

George Birtwisle, Christopher Jackson and the widow of Nicholas Grimshaw held land according to the Subsidy Rolls.

By this time another Oliver Birtwistle (son of Richard 1509) was living in Huncoat Hall.

A right of way for the trade of corn and flour between Huncoat and Accrington was contested before the Halmot Court by Oliver Birtwistle but he was only partially successful. However, this implies that a flourishing corn trade must have existed at the time. (Also see 1952).

Population of the area increasing with more and more land being enclosed and cultivated. These intakes were almost all held as copyholds with annual dues payable to the manor. It was a relatively peaceful era when yeomen tended crops and reared livestock for sale at market and packhorses carried a trade of lime and coal.

Both Lower and Higher Brown Birks named in records.

A coat of arms was granted to Oliver Birtwistle of Huncoat Hall. It was a “Sable a cheveron ermine between three weasels proper.”

The original Hill House in Towngate was built in the Tudor times of the mid 16th Century. Towngate was the central area of Highergate and Lowergate. The word gata is Danish (gate in Anglo Saxon) and means street. Ancient packhorse routes formed a crossroads at Towngate. One designated as a “Kings Highway” from Clitheroe coming via Altham to Haslingden and the other (according to the Jubilee Souvenir Book of Accrington Corporation) from Accrington to Burnley via Penny House, Millgate and Cleggs Lane. However, on maps this route is very unclear. No tracks were shown anywhere near the direct route eventually taken by the Burnley Road Turnpike, only “Low House” on Laneside and “Mill Road to Huncoat” crossing the fields to Within Grove which subsequently became the cemetery. Just how the route got from Old Accrington to Penny House and from Within Grove across Spout House Clough to Cleggs Lane is a mystery? Another ancient route came from Church Kirk over Whinney Hill to connect with the Kings Highway at Altham Lane. Packhorse routes tended to keep to high ground to avoid the risk of ambush in forests and marshes near rivers.

Oliver’s son James had married Agnes daughter and heir of George Ormerod.

Huncoat was shown on Christopher Saxton's map of Lancashire.

The date put on the oldest surviving stonework of Huncoat Hall.

There is evidence that there was extensive lead mining on the slopes of Hameldon.

The boundaries of "Huncoat" began to be properly defined, a total of more than 640 acres. The population seems to have been about 100.

James Birtwistle died leaving his son John to inherit. John had married Dorothy sister of Thomas Worthington of Blainscough. The population seems to have been about 100.

An Edmund Townley of Greenfield held half a messuage (farm).

Early in the 17th Century the first beer house the Black Bull, was established on the Kings Highway.

John Birtwisle, John Jackson and Janet his mother held land according to the Subsidy Rolls.

Huncoat Hall featured on William Smith’s map of Lancastria.

The new King James I disputed the legality of the 1507 tenures of copyholders and landowners because he wanted to raise revenue. To avoid the risk of losing their homesteads and lands the owners agreed to pay a levy on them. (Also see 1618).

Slate Pits Farm built by the Hargreaves family below Moleside.

A farm existed on top of Whinney Hill called Hard Farm, 'Hard' meaning head or top of.

A total of 12 tenements in Huncoat were recorded as yielding copyhold rents. (See 1550).

John Birtwistle died and his son Thomas then aged 19 became the incumbent of Huncoat Hall.

A Decree of Confirmation was granted by the Crown on 4th June recognising the tenures of copyholders and landowners but this did not resolve the dispute. (See 1662).

Thomas Birtwisle and his mother (both convicted recusants) and Christopher Jackson held land according to the Subsidy Rolls.

A John Ormerod paid a fine of £10 for refusing a knighthood.

Parliamentarian forces won the Battle of Whinney Hill on 2nd December (the actual battle site was Henfield or Enfield Moor - probably now quarried away).

Lancashire was predominantly a Parliamentarian area but Thomas Birtwistle of Huncoat Hall had his estate sequestered for being a Royalist and religious non-conformist although he claimed never to have born arms against the Parliamentarians.

Richard Birtwistle regained the estates on the restoration of Charles II but suffered penalties for recusancy (non-conformism).

The 100 years from 1650 to 1750 was the period of great rebuilding in stone throughout England because timber, previously the main stay of all but the grandest houses was in short supply. Hill House seems to have been re-constructed in stone around this time so is probably the oldest surviving intact building in the village.

Brown Moor Farm was occupied by the Bentley family. They were shoe makers and their descendants carried on the craft there for two centuries. In the 17th century, farming was still the chief occupation but there were other domestic industries and crafts. Even at this time the textile industry, then mainly wool and linen, played a part in the economic life. So farmers had dual roles as millers, masons, blacksmiths, butcher, shoemakers, clothiers or weavers.

An Act of Confirmation was passed by Parliament properly legalising copyholds etc.

37 hearths were declared in Huncoat for the "Hearth Tax" 7 of which were in Thomas Birtwistle’s Huncoat Hall and 4 in the next largest house. The tax was abolished in 1689 but the “Window Tax” began in 1695.

Altham Hall ceased to be the manorial seat when Mary Banastre married Ambrose Walton of Marsden Hall.

Cotton processing had taken off in Lancashire and John Hacking of Huncoat perfected one of the earliest cotton carding machines. He and his wife lived in a cottage in Town Gate and are buried in Altham church yard. The east window of the church commemorates several members of the Hacking family. Handloom weaving was still a cottage industry in the area up to this time.

The Huncoat Stocks are inscribed with this date but were clearly in use much earlier. (See 1532).

When ecclesiastical parish boundaries were determined Huncoat formed a chapelry of Church Kirk. Previously it had been a chapelry in Whalley Ancient Parish but no church or chapel building existed in Huncoat. Consequently, numerable processions had to be made over Whinney Hill for christenings, weddings and funerals to take place at St James’s (see 1882).

Huncoat Hall reconstructed.

Middle Hill House built.

Stone Hey Barn and probably Stone Hey Cottage built.

John Birtwistle sold Huncoat Hall and estates ending a 426 years family connection.

It is more than likely that Grime Row cottages were erected in the 17th or 18th Century. Greenwood’s map of 1818 implies something was there near Brown Moor Farm. The “Grime” family are reputed to have founded a candle factory on the site.

Existence of Broad Meadows Farm recorded on a datestone.

Though turnpikes had started around the turn of the 18th Century none were built near Huncoat until the Blackburn to Burnley turnpike came through Altham. Turnpikes were trusts set up by Parliament to improve roads and were empowered to charge tolls on users (see 1789).

The date on the old barn of Woodnook Farm a building adjoining the Whitakers Arms.

The date on the famous Huncoat Old Hall Farm tablet preserved in the wall of the Peace Garden on the corner of Burnley Lane. It bears the names of Daniel and Dorothy Barroclough and the Arms of the Birtwistle’s because as Oliver Birtwistle’s daughter she was the last of the family line. The datestone was originally over the doorway of the farmhouse situated on the crest of Highergate Road below Huncoat Bank and its farmland is now the Old Hall Drive and Sutton Crescent housing estate.

The population of Huncoat thought to have been around 200.

The present day buildings of the Black Bull and the White Lion date from around this time. Two slaughter houses once existed in the village, one next to the Black Bull and the other in Burnley Lane.

The Industrial Revolution was well under way and Lancashire's cotton industry developing but it was slow to reach Huncoat where handloom weaving was still prominent.

Richard Fort of Stone Hey in partnership with a Mr. Taylor and a Mr.Bury founded the Broad Oak Calico Print Works in Accrington. His father was also called Richard Fort but resided in Altham and was a leading member of the Oakenshaw Baptist community. It was he who facilitated the building of the Meeting House and Macpelah burial-ground on land he owned next to the Corn Mill on Hyndburn Road, Accrington. The grandfather was a Lawrence Fort who had lived at Hard Farm.

Huncoat had for hundreds of years been in the constituency of Blackburnshire Hundred a sub-division of the County of Lancashire. It sent MP’s like Lord Stanley of Knowsley Hall and 13th Earl of Derby to the House of Commons. Also John Blackburne an Independent who supported William Pitt. These were the days of the “Rotten Boroughs” and “Pocket Boroughs” where only the landed gentry and privileged townsmen appointed MP’s made up of Knights and Burgesses (see 1832).

The two chief contributors to the land tax were a Mrs Chadwick and Messrs Brewer and Carus.

For hundreds of years the Kings Highway through Huncoat coming over from Rossendale past Mary's Holy Well on the slopes of Great Hameldon had been an important road but it declined in the 18th and 19th centuries with the coming of the turnpikes. These were quicker and easier to build than canals. In 1789 the new Manchester to Whalley Road was authorised by Act of Parliament which came through Accrington. It was the last road built by John Metcalf the blind road-maker of Knaresborough. It took 2½ years to complete and cost £40 over the budget of £500 (see 1827).

The Georgian Highbrake Hall was built by Richard Fort (see 1815).

Up until the end of the 18thC places like Mary's Holy Well were places of pilgrimage and fairs on the first Sunday in May (see both 1844 and the miscellaneous facts section).

Before the railway was built James Allen of Spout House Farm ran local stagecoaches, the horses for which were changed at the Walton Arms and brought up to be stabled near Burnley Road. The route from the farm to the stocks became known as Clegg's Lane because the Clegg family lived in Spout House Farm for over 100 years.

Population of Huncoat recorded to be 480.

Around this time Baptists started to meet in a small cottage behind the White Lion.

The Leeds Liverpool canal reached Huncoat from the east but only went as far as Henfield (Enfield) at Clayton-le-Moors. The link to Blackburn was only made in 1810 and it was not until works west of Blackburn were completed that the full east west transit could be made. The canal was officially opened on 19th October 1816 and at 103¾ miles it was the longest built in Britain. The first sections were built between 1770 and 1777 but then economic depression delayed things. The original budget for its construction had been £260,000 but by the time work was completed it had cost £1,200,000. Houghton Barn in Altham Lane was the canal packet station for passengers to Huncoat. Only a short stretch of the canal (350 metres east from Shorten Brook) actually falls within the parish boundary. The original route authorised by Parliament in 1770 would have by-passed Huncoat entirely following a more westerly and northerly route closer to the Ribble touching Copster Green, Langho and Billington before rounding the northern shoulder of Whalley Nab. An 80ft high aqueduct over the Calder near to Moreton Farm would have brought the canal through Read and Padiham. In October 1772 work actually started on the foundations of the Whalley aqueduct but work was halted within 2 years because construction costs for the entire canal were proving excessive. In 1793 Parliament approved a change of route via the towns of Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley. But for this the canal would have come no nearer to Huncoat than 2 miles! The industrial face of the area might have been entirely different.

The Baptists extended their building with another cottage next door to act as a meeting house.

The Baptists extended again next door with a much bigger chapel and the access alongside the White Lion became known as Chapel Street. A major figure in these buildings was a one Lawrence Rawcliffe, a Huncoat man who was also for a time the landlord of the Walton Arms.

Population of Huncoat recorded to be 514.

The area had a very severe winter in 1813/14 when the canal froze and again about 20 years later Huncoat was cut off by deep snow falls.

Highbrake Hall had become an elite boarding school run by the Rev William Wood, vicar of Altham.

Greenwood’s map of Lancashire showed a system of roads in Huncote with most buildings clustered around Towngate. He named High Break, Branbirks and Windy Harbour. Also Higher Luishaw on the Kings Highway over Moleside Moor and Carr near High Riley. The north-south road was clearly the Kings Highway whilst the eastern road ran along Burnley Lane. To the west Enfield Road went over Whinney Hill to Enfield passing close to Holker House and Hard Farms. A track once led from Lower Brown Birks into Lower Huncoat (between the future sites of the Redac Brickworks and Perseverance Mill), across Clough Brook and down the fields to Rabbit Hole. This track also connected with Clough Bank Bridge and the canal swing bridge at Lower Clough Bank.

Population of Huncoat recorded to be 629.

Methodist services began to be held in various cottages but were not very successful so were discontinued within 12 months.

Huncoat Hall was owned by a Mr Foot.

Whinney Hill was the site of a mass meeting of hand loom weavers in May protesting about new machinery putting them out of work. Huncoat Jack was one of the leaders who incited violence through speeches during these ‘Loom Riots’. The hungry mob marched straight to Accrington to smash up the machinery that was depriving them of means.

A Blackburn to Burnley Turnpike through Accrington and Huncoat was authorised by an Act of Parliament (see 1834).

Altham Vitriol Works was set up beside the canal at Lower Clough Bank accompanied by a row of cottages for the workers called Rosy Bank.

Hennet’s map of Lancashire showed the same pattern of roads in Huncoat as Greenwood had eleven years earlier but with the anticipated footprint of a new turnpike included. However, the Kings Highway was still shown as a significant road. He named High Break Hall, Rappet Hall, Hard, Enfield Nook, Brown Birks, New Hall, Spout Hall, Hollock Bank, Broddas (later Ing Field), Rake Head, Higher Luishaw and Hameldon Hall.

A local brick making industry was in evidence but was restrained by a brick tax dating from 1784.

Hard Farm house on Whinney Hill rebuilt.

Population of Huncoat recorded to be 502.

Following the Reform Acts of 1832 onwards Huncoat fell under the North Lancashire constituency. The voting franchise steadily increased, firstly extending to the middle classes, then to town workers and eventually to agricultural workers (see 1885).

In Altham Lane there were two farm buildings known as Blind Lane Ends. They stood at grid reference SD778312 but were demolished in 1948 to make way for the power station.

Construction began of the Burnley Road turnpike (see 1838).

A Methodist Sunday School was founded in the top floor room of an old cotton warehouse situated between the White Lion and Bank Terrace.

John Smith’s Recollections says that a Richard Eatough resided in Hameldon Hall (sometimes misspelt Hambleton). Other local farmers were Daniel Redman at Windy Harbour, Roger Bramley at Rake Head, Abraham Riley at Moleside End and John Rawcliffe (Owd John Hoyle) at Hillock Farm. He also mentions a Thomas Marshall of Walsh Place who moved to Top Hill House, a Robert Towler of Woodnook Farm, Riley’s Farm and Cunliffe’s Farm all somewhere in the vicinity of Hillock Vale and Brown Birks. He goes on to list Edward Newhouse at Brown Birks, Thomas Haworth at Huncoat Hall, George Pickup at Broad Meadows, Robert Yates of Hill House, Robert Lingard of Middle House and John Bentley of Brown Moor.

Huncoat was included in Burnley Rural area for Poor Law and Registration.

Burnley Road turnpike opened being the last turnpike to be built in the area and when road classification started in 1921-22 it was designated as the A679. Toll posts were located near the Boar’s Head in Accrington* and at Lane Ends near the Hapton Inn. Other nearby toll posts were at the bridge over the Calder in Altham and Enfield over Whinney Hill near the Greyhound. *The Accrington Jubilee Souvenir Book of 1928 records that the Burnley Road Toll Post was later removed to the lower corner of the cemetery.

The Griffin's Head pub was built by Shaw's Brewery, although it was originally for a short time called the Cross Gates because it was at the cross roads of Burnley Road and Kingsway. It is most likely that the Whitakers Arms also dates from this period to serve the new road.

Terrace adjacent to Read View erected in Station Road.

Huncoat Hall was owned by the Towneley family who eventually inherited the title of Earl of Abingdon from a distant relative.

The first Sunday School Anniversary was held on 25th August when the preacher was a Mr. Ingham Walton of Barrowford and the singing was led by the choir of Union Street Church Accrington.

The first small reservoir in Burnley Road was built at Hillock Vale.

Population of Huncoat recorded to be 447 in the first proper national census.

The Whitakers of Simonstone put their Huncoat estates up for sale by auction on 24th July. These included Old Hall Farm, Spout House Farm, Lower Gate Farm and Broad Meadows Farm.

Purpose built Methodist Sunday School completed in Burnley Lane. The land was bought from Mr. Charles Townley of Townley Hall at a cost of one penny per yard. By July 1844 the new Sunday School was built and finished at a total cost of £250.

William Herd a former Baptist pastor started a day school in Broad Meadows Farm.

The Ordnance Survey map of this date showed - * The newly constructed Burnley Road Turnpike although the Kings Highway and Cleggs Lane were also given prominent status * Numerous small sandstone quarries to produce building blocks * The centre of the village was clustered around the cross roads of Towngate * The location of the village stocks is unmarked despite their existence for 300 years * That there was a cross on the knoll of Huncoat Bank before the War Memorial * The Whitakers Arms, White Lion, Black Bull and Griffin's Head Inn * The Baptist’s 1810 chapel showed as a long terrace behind the White Lion * The first Burnley Road reservoir at Hillock Vale which was built in 1841 * Two separate buildings named Warm Leaf in the Within Grove area * Higher Brown Birks * Lower Brown Birks * Within Grove, Spout House, Hillock Bank and Mount Farm * Rake Head Farm in the first field at the northern end of Miry Lane * Miry Lane, Ing Field, Slate Pits, White Riding, Hameldon Hall and Windy Harbour adjacent to the King's Highway * But no signs of Higher Luishaw which may simply have been a temporary shanty-town for sandstone quarrying or building Hameldon Reservoir * Hameldon Reservoir supplying “The Oak Print Works.” * May Road Well on the south western foot of Great Hameldon (See both 1795 and the miscellaneous facts section) * A boundary marker stone on the moor summit between Ing Field and Warm Leaf Clough (possibly the Fernihalgh Stone (see 1250 and 1499) * Brown Moor Farm, Grime Row and Blind Lane Ends Farms east of High Brake Hall & Stone Hey * Brick Barn in fields east of Blind Lane Ends) * Blind Lane End Farms (located a little north of Grime Row) * Brick Barn in the fields east of Blind Lane End Farms * The isolated buildings of Broad Meadows in what later became Station Road * Nearer Holker House (later the RSPCA sanctuary) * Further Holker House (located on the east side of Whinney Hill * Hard Farm on top of Whinney Hill (later a quarry and then the landfill site) * Sankey House Farm on the south side of Whinney Hill Road * Rabbit Hole; a cottage in the fields above Clough Brook, later covered by the tarmac of the M65 * Altham Vitriol Works beside the canal at Lower Clough Bank * Pipers Row, a terrace of 6 houses forming a narrow throat in Highergate Road (See 1906 and 1993) * Bank Brewery in Burnley Road just above the bowling green near Peel Park * That the name Enfield was originally Henfield, the area between Clayton and Altham

The opening service of the new Methodist Sunday School took place on 16th July conducted by the Rev. W. Illingworth of Hull.

Construction began of the East Lancashire Railway but work was held up when four piers of the twenty one arch Accrington viaduct began to sink and had to be replaced.

The East Lancashire Railway opened to Huncoat on 18th September and the original village station was off Altham Lane near what later became the Power Station site (see 1866).

The second reservoir was completed in Burnley Road (see 1890).

The repeal of the Brick Tax, coal mining, the arrival of railways, increased industrialisation and mechanisation paved the way for the brick making industry to take off.

Census gave the population as 598. The window tax was abolished on 24th July.

Household handloom weaving though declining was still a significant village industry whilst in farming cereal and vegetable production gradually gave way to dairy farming to supply the much more profitable trade of supplying milk to Accrington.

The mill workers cottages in Yorkshire Street, Prospect Terrace and Highbrake Terrace were built.

Huncoat Cotton Mill was built by John S. Grimshaw (later called Perseverance Mill and sometimes Highbrake Mill). It was located on the east side of the railway line to the south of the level crossing. The four storey spinning mill housed 20,000 spindles and the weaving shed 200 looms.

Mill workers cottages built at Hillock Vale (Vale Court, South Street and Parker Street).

Building of Hillock Vale Cotton Weaving Mill, initially called North Rake Mill, was completed by the Shutt Brothers in Burnley Road.

Stone Hey Terrace built by John Pollard.

Completion of a first reservoir at Mitchell’s House.

Census gave the population as 839, a 40% increase in 10 years largely due to the new cotton mills. Many of the new immigrants came from the Settle and Ribblesdale area.

Woodside House built by mill owner John Grimshaw.

Cemetery opened off Burnley Road with a curved driveway across fields leading to the gates.

White Lion first mentioned by name in a directory. In those days many pubs including the Black Bull were just classed as "Beerhouses".

The “ancient manor” of Huncoat became a Civil Parish in Burnley RDC.

The date on the pediment of Highergate (or Howard's) Farm situated on the corner of Burnley Lane (see 1960).

On 4th July the Accrington railway viaduct suffered a collapse similar to what happened during its construction in 1846 and had to be closed for remedial work costing £11,215. So for about a year all trains terminated at Huncoat with a service of horse vehicles connecting to Accrington.

An Act of Parliament started the process of dis-turnpiking roads and the last turnpike in Lancashire was dissolved in 1890. Accrington's toll bars were abolished in October 1871.

The Whitakers Arms had become known as the Cemetery Hotel.

The first General Election with a comprehensive franchise was held in November. Huncoat formed part of a North East Lancashire area which elected two Conservative MP’s – James Maden Holt and John Pierce Chamberlain Starkie. The Government though was Liberal.

A larger Methodist (Wesleyan) Church and Institute were built in Station Road at a total cost of £1,138:5s:11d and the old Sunday School in Burnley Lane was sold.

Coal extraction began at Whinney Hill Colliery sited south of Whinney Hill Road at Altham. Sometimes this was called “Altham Colliery” because it was part of the Altham colliery company which also included pits at Altham Clough, Houghton Barn and Moorfield.

A Day School commenced in the Methodist Institute.

Huncoat Hall reconstructed again (see 1730).

Census gave the population as 990.

The two Conservatives James Maden Holt and John Pierce Chamberlain Starkie retained their seats in the February General Election. Conservatives formed the Government.

Highbrake Hotel built for Bentley's Milnshaw Brewery (see 1893).

The Baptist’s extended their terrace yet again with a large Sunday School next to their chapel.

Accrington became a municipal authority in May but Huncoat was still part of Burnley Rural District.

Use of land on the eastern and southern flank of Huncoat Bank was granted to the village as a recreation ground by the Peel family famous for founding the police force (see 1911 and 1930).

Marl House on Enfield Road was originally built as a small chemical works and dry-saltery with work sheds to the rear.

In the April General Election North East Lancashire returned two new Liberals the Marquess of Hartington and Frederick William Grafton. The Liberals formed the Government.

Rockdale (later re-named Middleton House) built in Burnley Road (see 1909 and 1931).

The railway station had been moved to the south side of the level crossing in Enfield Road but a local petition complained about "the disgraceful accomodation."

Census list gave the population as 930 and included residents of Yorkshire Street, Prospect Terrace, High Brake Terrace, and Providence Terrace.

Anglican villagers weary of trekking to Church Kirk started religious gatherings in a cottage at 2 Parker Street, Hillock Vale (see 1723 and 1886).

The Moorfield coal mine shaft was sunk between 1879 and 1881and subsequently connected with the Whinney Hill mine shaft. Collectively these two mines were known as the Altham Colliery. On 7th November a massive underground explosion killed 68 men and boys in the Moorfield Pit Disaster.

Huncoat first received a mains water supply.

Huncoat was part of the North East Lancashire Accrington Division constituency that elected Frederick William Grafton as a Liberal MP (see 1918).

Huncoat Pit founded with the sinking of the first shaft, which eventually reached 850 feet deep. It was called the Broadmeadow Colliery and operated until 9 Feb 1968. There were two major seams worked at various times – the Lower Mountain and Upper Mountain. These seams ran throughout the Lancashire coal field varying in thickness but being about 2ft 4ins and 3ft 4ins respectively under Huncoat .

Cooperative Society store built in Station Road but the village centre was still around Towngate with small shops opposite each other at numbers 5 and 16 Burnley Lane. The latter on the corner with Towneley Avenue being R Suthers Grocer & Confectioner.

Holyrood Terrace erected in Burnley Road.

St.Augustine's Chapel of Ease founded in June, later rebuilt as a full church (see 1882, 1896 and 1908).

The Accrington Brick and Tile Co (Nori) began production of very hard and durable bricks which also became known as “Accrington Bloods.” The strong hue being due to the iron in the clay and the name “Nori” being the spelling of iron backwards. This 30 metre deep layer of red clay known as Accrington Mudstone or Shale was deposited during the Carboniferous era when the Accrington area was flooded by a large lake. The Accrington works was one of the first to successfully use the “semi dry” production method. Accrington bricks have been used in some iconic buildings around the world such as Blackpool Tower and the Empire State Building. The works and the quarry were never actually in Huncoat but on the other side of Whinney Hill straddling the parish boundary between Altham, Enfield and Clayton. Ownership later passed through various hands such as the Macalpine family, Courtaulds and George Armitage.

Secret gambling was common in the hills around Hapton and Huncoat which probably led to the local name of “Gamblers Caves” of a quarry near the Kings Highway,

A newsroom was opened in the Coop store but closed in 1903 owing to “the practice of gambling”.

The Ordnance Survey map of this date showed - * The main Burnley Road Reservoir had been built below the 1846 one and enlarged in 1896 * At this time the Huncoat Bank recreation ground was divided into two fields by a fence and a well was marked by the roadside opposite to Old Hall Farm * The extended Baptist terrace with it’s new Sunday School, corner to corner with the Methodist building of 1844 in Burnley Lane * Mount Quarry and Hey Head Quarry situated on the north side of Burnley Lane * Altham Brick and Tile Works had been established on the canal side next to Clough Brook * Altham Vitriol Works and Rosy Bank Cottages had disappeared * The Enfield Brick and Terra Cotta Works existed between Henry Street and Whinney Hill and the Accrington Brick and Tile Works (Nori) had been established on the south-west side of the hill * Whinney Hill Colliery was marked as “Altham Colliery” between a saw mill on the corner with Whalley Road and the Accrington Brick and Tile Works (Nori) * Huncoat Colliery was marked but the workings were not extensive at this time * The level crossing signal box was at this time located on the north side of the tracks and the station platforms were staggered either side of the level crossing. Also that Huncoat Cotton Mill had its own siding and loading bay on the station * The crescent shaped terraces of High Brake and Prospect either side of Yorkshire Street * Industrial Terrace existed adjoining the Cooperative Society Store in Station Road * St.Augustine's School existed in the unmade road then called Church Lane (later Bolton Avenue) * The original Within Grove from 1844 was now named Within Grove Cottage with new farm buildings named Within Grove located further NW nearer the railway line * Marl Place existed on Enfield Road * Whinney Hill Cottage had been built at the corner of Whinney Hill Road near Sankey House * Accrington Football and Cricket Ground had been established * Some rifle ranges existed below Rake Head Farm

Census gave the population as 956. The main occupations being cotton working, mining and agriculture.

Carlton Terrace erected in Station Road.

Highbrake Hotel became known as the Railway Hotel.

The Huncoat Plastic Brick and Terra Co. (trademark Redac, based on "Red Accrington") was founded in Yorkshire Street next to Huncoat Cotton Mill. Ore originally came from a quarry behind the works but later from Rakehead Quarry by means of a tramway passing under Burnley Road in a tunnel near between numbers 454 and 482. After a fatal accident to the village policeman’s daughter an aerial ropeway was built over the road (see 1965).

Huncoat Fireclay works started operations making pipes and chimney pots etc.

A network of mineral railways grew up around Whinney Hill. Connections with the main line were made at a triangle behind the cemetery and at the coal sidings east of the colliery. Branches ran to Nori brick works, Whinney Hill brick works and Altham Colliery.

Altham Brick and Tile Works was acquired by the Burnley Brick and Lime Company.

Perseverance Mill closed down compelling many families to leave the area in search of work which left sparse attendances at St Augustine’s Chapel but they were to revive by the turn of the century (see 1886 and 1908).

Oak Bank Terrace built on Enfield Road.

Whinney Hill Plastic Brickworks was founded but was taken over by Macalpines in 1916.

Perseverance Mill passed into the ownership of John Barnes (Cotton Waste, Spinners and Manufacturers).

Rose Terrace erected in Station Road.

Census listed 25 farms and gave the population as 1,281.

The Railway Station was moved to a new site just north of the level crossing. Within two years a large goods yard had also developed which dealt with mill traffic, coal and bricks. There were also private sidings for George Hargreaves and Co owners of the Huncoat Colliery.

Mitton Terrace erected in Burnley Lane.

Perseverance Mill referred to in contemporary writings as "Highbrake Mill".

A sewage and outfall works was established near Holker House below the brick viaduct.

Pleasant View terrace erected in Burnley Road.

Two local grocers Grime and Parkinson drowned in the canal possibly under the influence of intoxication. Parkinson’s house and shop near the Baptist chapel were presently demolished.

Pipers Row had been cleared to widen Highergate Road and the village stocks re-positioned on the site of the old cottage back gardens, and placed within iron railings. Pipers Row had got its name because a musical family had once lived there. (See 1844 and 1992).

A tram service commenced from Accrington to the cemetery gates at Hillock Vale on 26th October.

Huncoat Primary School opened on 4th April (Methodist day school therefore ceased on 1st April).

Anglican worship was again thriving so Huncoat branched away from St James’s at Church Kirk to become its own parish. The Foundation stone of St.Augustine’s Church being laid on 4th July by Mr H.H. Bolton of Highbrake House (see 1896 and 1909).

On the on 29th September the Monument on top of the Coppice was ceremoniously unveiled to mark the gift of land to the town of Accrington by William Peel, hence the name of Peel Park. His family originated from Peel Fold, Oswaldtwistle and were notable for Sir Robert Peel the Prime Minster and founder of the Police force. Some of the land was purchased at a favourable price and the Peel family donated the remainder. The work of laying out the park was implemented to coincide with periods of depression and so alleviate local unemployment. Mr William Peel officially opened the park during a ceremony which included a procession of 5,000 children from local schools, three bands and civic dignitaries walking from Avenue Parade to the top of the Coppice. The schools represented on the procession; Cambridge Street, St Anne's, St Mary Magdalene's, Hargreaves Street, St Andrew's, St Mary's Woodnook, Spring Hill, St John's, Hyndburn Park, Benjamin Hargreaves, St Peter's, St Oswald's, St John's Baxenden, Green Haworth and St James'.

St.Augustine's Church consecrated on 30th November by the Lord Bishop of Manchester. Although there were many coal mining workings under this area a pillar of coal was left undisturbed under the church to avoid subsidence.

The Ordnance Survey map of this date showed - * The Corporation tram lines running up Burnley Road as far as Hillock Vale Mill * The network of mineral railways associated with mining and brick making * A Huncoat Fireclay works beside the railway line just south west of the level crossing * Altham Brick and Tile works by the canal had become Burnley Brick and Lime works * Huncoat Sewage works had been completed * The village stocks were marked for the first time (see 1906) * Rockdale in Burnley Road still bore that name (see 1931) * Waterside Cottage had been built by the canal * Targets at the Rake Head firing range had become disused

Over a hundred coke ovens had been erected at the colliery.

Willy Watkinson’s popular sweet shop occupied the northern end of Stone Hey cottages.

The Baptist’s celebrated their 100th Anniversary on 16th May by laying six foundation stones for a new building on the old Methodist ground fronting onto Burnley Lane.

Population reached nearly 1500. Many small shops lined both sides of Station Road.

The impressive new Baptist Church was opened on Good Friday.

The Lady Macalpine shelter was erected on top of the Coppice (see 2008).

The Huncoat Bank recreation ground of just over 5½ acres was purchased by the Council from the Earl of Abingdon and Trustees on 14th July. (See 1878 and 1930).

The railway station was substantially rebuilt with a booking office, general waiting room, ladies room, parcel office, porter’s room, lamp room and toilets all being provided.

The Ordnance Survey map of this date showed - * A tramway to Rake Head Quarry between the rifle range and Kings Highway * Ing Field behind the Coppice was now called Green Field * Whinney Hill Brickworks on the SE slope of Whinney Hill close to Hard Farm * Accrington Cricket Ground no longer included "Football" in it's legend

Burnley Brick and Lime Works and Huncoat Fireclay Works both ceased operations during the First World War.

A purely “Accrington” parliamentary constituency was formed but the parishes of Huncoat and Hapton were included in the Clitheroe constituency (see 1950).

“In response to a general desire on the part of the inhabitants, a Parish Meeting was convened on 21st May to consider the advisability of giving a “Welcome Home” to the men of Huncoat who served in H.M. Forces during the late war, and to further consider the best way of commemorating the heroic sacrifice of those who have given their lives for liberty and justice.A committee was appointed, consisting of members of the Parish Council, the Overseers, representatives of ex-servicemen, the various religious organisations of the village, the working men’s club and the Loyal Highbrake Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The “Welcome Home” was given and Peace celebrations were duly observed. In October and at the request of the Parish Council, the Committee was empowered to raise funds for the erection of a permanent war memorial. A subscription list was opened early in 1920, special collections were made in the churches and a house to house collection which resulted in the sum of £304 being raised. The Committee realised the necessity of obtaining professional help and William J Newton Esq Borough Engineer and Surveyor to the Corporation of Accrington was approached by a deputation and he most readily placed his services at the disposal of the Committee. Two designs were submitted in August 1921 one of which was selected and an estimate for the same approved."

Census revealed a decline in population to 1,380.

Three brothers, Harry, Jack and John died in the First World War along with 41 other men of Accrington collieries. Their father Henry and his remaining son Geoffrey unveiled a memorial window in St Augustine’s Church in 1921. A memorial tablet was moved to the church from Highbrake House in 1939. The Bolton Family were proprietors of Huncoat Colliery and lived at Highbrake House. Geoffrey Bolton went on to became Chairman of the NW Coal Board after nationalisation in 1948. (See also 1948).

On 29th April 1922 a crowd of dignitaries, officials, members of the memorial committee, relatives of the fallen, ex-servicemen, girl guides, boy scouts and members of the Ancient Order of Buffaloes assembled outside the primary school to make procession to the new memorial led by the 8th Battalion East Lancashire Regimental Band. The un-veiling Ceremony was performed by H.H. Bolton Esq. MBE JP.The souvenir “Book of Remembrance and Programme of Proceedings” said “All ye that pass by, remember with gratitude the Men who died for you!” “The Memorial is in the form of a cross executed in Grey Longridge Stone. It is 16 feet 6 inches in height and 9 feet 6 inches wide at the base which is formed of three tiers of steps 2 feet 7 inches in height on which the pedestal is fixed. Here is inscribed the Dedication and the names of the fallen.” The names of 25 men of the village who gave their lives in the First World War are recorded. "To our glorious dead. This memorial was erected by public subscription, AD1922 in eternal remembrance of the men of Huncoat who gave their lives for King and Country in the Great War, 1914-1918. Greater love hath no man than this." See the website http://eastlancsmemorials.co.uk/ “The shaft of the Cross rests on the pedestal and is 10 feet 6 inches in height. In order to prevent damage to the Memorial by children it has been surrounded with a stone kerb and wrought iron railing. The Memorial stands in a commanding position in the Public Recreation Grounds some 675 feet above ordnance datum. The total cost, including all charges, is about £320, which has been subscribed by the public. The work, which was let by tender, has been carried out by Messrs. Thos. Hodgkinson & Sons, Preston."

Hillock Vale cotton mill ceased production.

Huncoat ratepayers voted in favour of amalgamation with Accrington.

Highbrake Hall gutted by a fire.

The first bus service ran through the village in November. Tragically, a well known villager was crushed and killed at this event by the bus reversing at the railway station terminus.

Huncoat transferred from Burnley Rural District Council to the Borough of Accrington on 3rd April.

A library opened in the village on 8th July which was still going in November 1973.

Broad Meadows Barn was demolished to widen Station Road and two cottages numbers 10 and 11 Highergate next to Hill House were demolished to ease the corner by Howard's Farm. Also, Bull (or Coop) Lane was straightened to become Lowergate Road.

Semi derelict Hillock Vale mill damaged by fire.

A newspaper report on 26th July referred to the police catching men gaming with cards (gambling) in a field by Spire Farm.

A purchase of just over 2 acres of land on the western side of Huncoat Bank from Edward Thorpe extended the recreation ground area. Up until now this portion had been fenced off as a separate field.

Between the two world wars the area of Huncoat alongside the railway line became very industrialised. Three collieries (Broadmeadows, Moorfield and Whinney Hill), two coke works (see 1931) and two brickworks (Nori and Whinney Hill) were interlinked by a network of mineral lines. A trestle viaduct on eight piers spanned Clough Brook and the lane to Nearer Holker House. Five privately owned steam locomotives operated the mineral lines all named after birds. They were Robin, Linnet, Lark, Raven and Kestrel. Linnet No 1543 had been built by Manning Wardle in 1902 and Kestrel No 3875 by Hawthorn Leslie in 1936 (see 1956 and 1960).

The Blessing of the Catholic Church “Our Lady in Huncoat” in Altham Lane took place on 7th June 1931 being a Chapel of Ease in the parish of Sacred Heart, Accrington. Two acres of land had been purchased in October 1929 and as it was a time of depression many unemployed men of the parish gave their services voluntarily to lay the foundations. Mr Hilary Blake oversaw the excavations and laying of these foundations. Catholics had previously been holding mass in a room of the Women’s Guild Accrington and Church Cooperative known as the Bridge Street Institute but the parishioners of the Sacred Heart raised funds for a new building in Huncoat. The architect was George Riley of Oswaldtwistle. It’s said that use was made of an old classroom brought from the Jesuit college at Stonyhurst. The church was built of wood on a brick foundation to seat a congregation of 209 and furnished by the parishioners themselves. It later became a Chapel of Ease for St Joseph’s Accrington (November 1949).

The Ordnance Survey map of this date showed - * The network of mineral railways associated with mining and brick making * Rockdale was now called Middleton House * Sunnyside House had been built on the south side of Huncoat Bank off Highergate Road * Quarrying at Hard Farm on the top of Whinney Hill (later the landfill site) * Enfield Golf Course (1910 to 1945) situated on the NE slopes of Whinney Hill within the curve of the mineral railway west of Nearer Holker House * Hapton Golf Course between Altham Lane and Castle Clough Wood (eventually part of the Power Station site and the A56 dual carriageway) * A football/recreation ground on Altham Lane opposite the Catholic church * A small reservoir in Cronker plantation * Waterside Tennis Courts now occupied the former Brick and Lime works site by the canal * Coke oven works had appeared by the colliery railway sidings at Broad Meadows and alongside the railway line in Altham Lane

Whinney Hill colliery closed on 10th June.

Last tram ran up Burnley Road to the cemetery gates at Hillock Vale on 6th January.

Perseverance Mill damaged by a fire on 30th January.

Fish Lane was officially re-named Lynwood Road. It got its original name because of a farm called Fish House situated on the corner just above the school. It led into Fur Lane which ran down to the level crossing there joining Scatchen Lane that went over Enfield Brow (Whinney Hill) to Enfield and Church Kirk.

The War Memorial on Huncoat Bank was blown down and damaged in a January gale.

Grime Row cottages were condemned as unfit for habitation and left derelict. Following the Second World War when there was a housing shortage the cottages were renovated with a Government grant and renamed Peter Grime Row.

Dozens of prefabs known as “Sawdust City” were erected off Burnley Road in the area of Woodside Road and Oakfield Avenue extending down Within Grove and completely surrounding St Augustine’s Church. These compact chalet type bungalows were insulated by a cavity wall infilling of sawdust, hence the name. There are also reports that asbestos sheets formed part of the fabric.Many of the residents of Sawdust City were employed at the Bristol Aircraft Company’s aero engine factory that had been recently built at Clayton-le-Moors. Shortly after the end of the 2nd World War, many of the residents of this estate were re-housed and Sawdust City became a refugee camp for single young men who had fled from the communist countries of Eastern Europe. Later it became a hostel for young Italian men brought over by the British government to work in the local coalmines, which at that time were experiencing an acute shortage of man power. Eventually many of these men married local girls and settled down with their families in and around Accrington. The small pre-fabs were often described by the Lancashire dialect name of ‘Encoytes,’ (poultry cabins), rabbit hutches, or mouse traps with tin roofs. The residents however did enjoy the luxuries of central heating, instant hot water and a bathroom. These ‘mod cons’ of 1940 were sadly missing in the stone terraces occupied by the working class families in those far off days of World War Two. Sawdust city was cleared in the 1950’s.

A wartime aerial photograph reveals the old Baptist terrace behind the White Lion still existed.

Spinning and weaving ceased at Perseverance Mill and it was then used by the War Dept for storage.

Until the war Huncoat Station was very busy with freight traffic from the mill, brickworks and colliery and won an award for tonnage handled.

During the Second World War the wrought iron railing around the war memorial were removed as part of the war effort.

6 more names were added to the war memorial after the Second World War (see 1922).

Three men were injured by an explosion at Huncoat Colliery in December.

Severe winter weather disrupted the whole area in February and March.

A Public Enquiry was held in August about proposals to build the power station.

The Mayor dug the first sod for the power station on 31st January.

Brown Moor Farm and Blind Lane End were acquired for building of the power station but see 1955. An old millstone from the farm entrance is preserved in a front garden on Lynwood Road (see 1495).

Brownbirks Lane, or as it was popularly known Church Lane, was re-made and re-named Bolton Avenue after the respected Bolton Family owners of Huncoat Colliery. (See 1921).

Aerial photography records the power station being built and although Brown Moor Farm remains Blind Lane End Farm has gone. Other important features identifiable are hen houses at Mount Farm, the estate of Marshall Avenue being built, part of Towneley Avenue was newly built (the end nearest Burnley Lane), that only a small barn remained at White Riding and Hameldon Hall appeared to be in ruins. Also visible is the mineral line between Huncoat Quarry and Rake Head Quarry and the loading hoppers at Rake Head Quarry for the aerial ropeway with buckets which crossed over Burnley Road between house numbers 458 and 482. The mineral line viaduct across Clough Brook near the sewage works can also be seen. The aerial photographs also not only clearly showed 34 prefabs on the Woodside Road/Brown Birks Road site but that at least another 30 similar buildings occupied the area surrounding Oakfield Avenue as far as Lower Brown Birks. The aerial photographs also depict the height of Nori brick production at The Accrington Brick and Tile Number 1 Works, Altham site. Here the quarries were now so extensive that a mineral railway ran through a tunnel under Whinney Hill Road.

Moorfield Pit closed.

The beehive coke kilns at Broad Meadows were known to have been long disused.

The parish of Huncoat was transferred to the Accrington parliamentary constituency which elected Harry Hynd as a Labour MP.

The 72 miles Haweswater aqueduct was laid through Huncoat running from the Lake District to Manchester. Its route can be traced by the occasional rows of four short ventilation turrets with manhole covers and the concrete and iron wicket gates for access. It crosses the River Calder just east of Cock Bridge and the River Hyndburn west of Brownsills in Mill Lane. It comes up the hill past Martholme Grange and over the canal at Moor Side House. Then it crosses the eastern slopes of Whinney Hill and goes under Enfield Road and the railway line west of Oak Bank. A pump house is located at the bottom of Within Grove playing fields opposite Haweswater Road. The pipes then run up the centre of the playing fields into Oakfield Avenue and under Burnley Road to the rear of Caldew Court and The Triangle. The pipes are 4 feet in diameter buried underground. They supply water to Accrington before going through the hills 300 feet below Stone Fold near Rising Bridge and Cribden Hill to Townsend Fold, Rawtenstall. The Huncoat Tunnel is 8ft.6ins diameter and takes 100 million gallons daily at 2mph. The aqueduct terminates at Heaton Park Reservoir, Manchester.

Plans announced for 218 Easiform Houses on Within Grove and flats in Burnley Road. It is likely that the council houses at the lower end of Towneley Avenue and on Lowergate Road itself and on Station Road were built about this time. Post war housing schemes like this increased the local population to over 2,000.

Two 18th Century cottages known as the Corn Market behind the Black Bull were pulled down. These dated from times when the villagers had no right of way to Accrington Market because of jealously guarded trading customs. (See 1547). A new wall was built along the frontage but eventually the site became the car park for the pub.

For a short time there were public toilets next to the derelict cottages of Ormerod Row. These used to stand between Flood Dyke Cottages and the Black Bull Inn on the crescent shaped parcel of land formed when Lowergate Road was cut through and straightened leaving a loop of the old lane on the west side.

Huncoat Pithead baths opened on 13th January.

The first block of Wimpey 3 storey flats in Burnley Road were completed in September. Also, plans were finalised to demolish 34 blocks of "Sawdust City" and erect 21 blocks of 2 storey "Gregory Flats" on Woodside Road and Brownbirks Road. The rest of the prefabs also soon went and the area turned into playing fields.

Approval given for conversion of a chapel in the cemetery into a crematorium.

Perseverance Mill demolished.

Hill House Farm was the home of Birtwell's Ice Cream.

The Ordnance Survey map of this date showed - * One line of electricity pylons crossing Lowergate Road above the Black Bull * Brown Moor Farm still appeared on the southern perimeter on the new Power Station * The aerial ropeway from Rake Head Quarry to Redac Brickworks * The network of mineral railways associated with mining and brick making still thrived (Huncoat Colliery reached a peak of production in the 50's with 1,300 tons in one day) * The farm cottage Rabbit Hole still existed

John Laing & Co. Ltd completed the 218 Easiform Houses on Within Grove.

The Power Station was opened by the Mayor on 11 May. It had two cooling towers and a chimney at each end of the generator hall. Extensive sidings on the north side of the railway line supplied coal to the plant via an overhead conveyor enclosed in a concrete duct. Massive stock piles of coal built up spilling down towards the railway line. The coal sidings branched off at a signal box near the boundary with Hapton and ran under Altham Lane behind Highbrake House and all the way through the colliery parallel to the main line. A spur from the colliery formed a head shunt beyond the level crossing which was also used for storing ore wagons. This shunt crossed the old road down the clough so had a small overbridge. Another spur crossed the clough viaduct and linked up with all the works around Whinney Hill (see 1930). The mineral sidings connected again with the main line behind Accrington cricket ground where there was a signal box facing the cemetery which controlled numerous brick storage wagon sidings at that end. Throughoutthe 50’s coal, coke and brick traffic was constantly being moved around this system.

The Crematorium was opened by the Bishop of Burnley on 5th September.

The tradition of combined churches Whit Monday walks ceased.

Lower Brown Birks Farm was demolished by Accrington Corporation for the extension of Bolton Avenue.

Creation of the Industrial Estate was approved on 4th November but no works were opened until 1963.

Highergate or Howard’s Farm on the corner of Burnley Lane was demolished eventually to become the Peace Garden.

Two 0-6-0 saddle tank engines (Raven and Linnet) were still in service around Huncoat Colliery.

Major restoration work was carried out on the Methodist Church in Station Road.

A freak whirlwind hit Huncoat on 3rd August but no severe damage is documented.

The Ordnance Survey map of this date showed - * The house Greenfall had been built * The new eastern end of Woodside Road had been built

Aerial photography shows that the cemetery had swallowed up fields either side of the original curved driveway up to Burnley Road but did not yet extend to the corner of Bolton Avenue.

First firm moved onto the Industrial Estate in March. This was RGS Electro Pneumatics Ltd.

Terrific thunderstorms affected all the Accrington area on Wakes Week Saturday 18th July. Over 3.00 inches of rain fell in 24 hours but most of it within the 8 hours 9am to 5pm causing the worst floods in living memory. A bakers shop at Rising Bridge collapsed into a culvert and two homes in Station Road Huncoat were flooded by a burst drain.

A house at 368 Burnley Road partially collapsed during the night of 30th July. This was on the front of Vale Court, a square of terraced houses at Hillock Vale all of which were subsequently condemned and demolished.

The Baptist church in Burnley Lane was demolished because of dry rot and was subsequently in the 70’s or 80’s replaced by a bungalow called “Chapel House.” The old Baptist terrace behind the White Lion (Sunday School and Meeting Room) probably went at the same time. (see 1986).

The Ordnance Survey map of this date showed - * Miry Lane, Green Field, Slate Pits and Windy Harbour Farms * Two parallel electricity pylon lines crossing Lowergate Road but moved 200 yards further north * Old Hall Farm and Ormerod Row were still in existence but Rabbit Hole had gone

On the 17th October proposals for an abattoir on the industrial estate raised objections.

The aerial ropeway to the Redac brickworks was dismantled during the 1960's. It used to come down from Rake Head Quarry over Burnley Road, run behind the houses on the eastern side of Oakdene Avenue and then across the fields to the brick works. The network of mineral railway lines also became disused in the 1960’s.

Vale Court square of terraced houses at Hillock Vale was demolished during the 60's.

Huncoat Hall was declared a Grade II Listed Building on 22nd August.

In November the Mayor dug the first sod to build Leonard Fairclough’s pre-cast concrete works on the industrial estate.

Huncoat Working Men’s Club closed comprising of the last two cottages of Highbrake Terrace.

Huncoat Pit closed on 9 February abandoning over a million tons of uneconomic coal. The main pit top and colliery buildings had been sited north of the railway station by Meadow Top Bridge.

4th August was the last day of steam train operation on British Railways. There is a picture of one of the final trains a class 8F number 48493 pulling around a dozen coal wagons through Huncoat on the website http://www.flickr.com/photos/b3tarev3/7042736125/sizes/l/in/photostream).

Huncoat Old Hall Farm was demolished.

In the early 70’s Highbrake Terrace and the western side of Yorkshire Street were demolished.

Leonard Fairclough pre-cast concrete works on Huncoat Industrial Estate opened on 22nd December. Subsequently it was renamed Buchan.

Redac (Huncoat) brickworks taken over by G.H. Downing and Co. Ltd.

1,500 trees were planted on the Coppice in April.

Approval given in September for a two acre itinerants site at Sankey House Farm.

Hillock Vale Motors operated a used car sales showroom on a site in front of the old weaving shed of Hillock Vale cotton mill.

Rain Radar golf ball erected on Hameldon Hill a flattish top 1 kilometre east of Great Hameldon.

A local newspaper reported on 20th December that a suggestion to move the war memorial had been rejected by Hyndburn Borough Council's Recreation and Amenities committee. Apparently, the memorial had, more than once been defaced by spray paint which was difficult to remove. It was felt that it could be even more vulnerable to vandalism if it was moved next to a main road. A proposal to erect a fence or railings around the memorial was also rejected.

Grime Row cottages were restored, improved and re-named Peter Grime Row.

The Ordnance Survey map of this date showed - * Old Hall Farm had gone * Wedgewood Road had been built

The Council approved plans for a permanent Gypsy caravan site by Sankey House Farm off Whinney Hill Road.

Brick production stopped at Whinney Hill Brickworks on the SE side of the hill (see 1913).

Lancashire County Council acquired part of Whinney Hill Quarry for waste disposal.

Senator was founded in 1976/77 as a home business but shortly afterwards moved to space rented in Vine Mill, Oswaldtwistle. The first small unit of 9,800 square feet was established on the Huncoat Business Park in 1981.

Household waste disposal was sanctioned at Whinney Hill Tip.

Huncoat Sewage and Outfall Works was closed with the opening of modern facilities at Martholme.

M65 opened through Huncoat

Huncoat United Junior Football Club founded.

Huncoat power station closed down.

Nori Brickworks moved from Altham Number 1 site over the hill to a newly built factory on the footprint of Whinney Hill Brickworks near Huncoat. At this time the parent company was George Armitage & Sons but was later taken over by Marshall’s and then Hanson’s.

Accrington Easterly by-pass road opened on 18th July significantly changing the local geography.

The Huncoat Festival was held to celebrate the village's 900th Anniversary. A plaque was placed on the stone bench near the stocks and two of the Baptist Union foundation stones were re-laid in Spouthouse Lane.

Power Station cooling towers demolished 16th October.

Speculative Zeri Project proposed by Eddie Quigolotti a Stockport millionaire to make the Huncoat Power Station site into a Winter Sports and Leisure Centre.

Burnley Road reservoir became redundant during the 80's and was drained.

St Augustine's original mission rooms sold and replaced by Mapleford Residential Home.

The main Power Station buildings were demolished in September.

The decade of the 90’s saw lots of new housing in the area raising the population by nearly 1,000.

The new Pipers Row was built on the footprint of Hill House Barn. (See 1844 and 1906).

Waverley Chase housing estate (Old Hall Drive and Sutton Crescent) built on Old Hall Farm land.

Woodlands housing estate (Winterly Drive) built on part of Woodside House grounds.

Huncoat (Redac) Brickworks closed at the end of the year although Rakehead Quarry continued to be used by Redland Bricks to supply clay to its Skelmersdale works.

Hyndburn Borough Council adopted the “Borough Plan” an overall vision of housing and employment development sites around Huncoat.

Foxwood Chase housing estate built on old Burnley Road reservoir site.

185,000 Accrington Bricks were used to create David Mach’s “Train” sculpture unveiled on 23rd June beside the A66 ring road, east of Darlington.

Huncoat (Redac) Brickworks demolished.

Brocklehurst housing estate (Seathwaite Way) built off Burnley Road.

Re-building of Waterside Bungalow commenced but was never completed.

Higher Hill House Farm rebuilt in Town Gate.

Census put the population at 4,400 therefore the parish would be about 3,080.

Western end of the old pit top made into a local nature reserve with landscaping, tree planting and footpaths. This section by Enfield Road had been part of the mineral railway network and the old underbridge can still be seen opposite to the pallet yard.

Outline Planning application granted for new houses on the old Redac brick works site.

The summer saw a large number of the Within Grove Easiform houses demolished.

Public meetings held in the Spring as villagers became alarmed over plans to expand the capacity of Whinney Hill quarry landfill site with a consequential increase in heavy traffic on local roads.

At a meeting of the Huncoat Forum in July the Chairman Geof Coglan first mooted the idea of a Peace Garden.

By late Summer Hyndburn Borough Council and the Lancashire County Council had set up a "Working Group" to campaign for a Whinney Hill link road/village bypass.

In the Autumn work began on re-claiming the old Redac brickworks site and planning permission was granted for 131 new houses.

The White Lion closed as a pub.

Levelling of the old Redac brickworks site was completed in the Spring.

Lowergate House built on the site of Ormerod Row.

Middle Hill House was demolished and re-building commenced.

A new house called The Meadows was under construction in Burnley Lane.

In the Summer efforts were made to spruce the area up with the "Huncoat in Bloom" initiative.

Building started of two new housing estates on the old Redac brickworks site. (Honeycombe Heath by Elite Homes and Briars Green by Betts Homes, subsequently Bluebell Way).

There was controversy over plans to build new houses at Hillock Vale.

The Autumn saw work begin to convert the old White Lion into flats but the process stalled and it laid derelict for 12 months.

Huncoat Trail launched on 19th September.

John Goddard's history book "Huncoat Uncoated" was published in September by Landy Publishing.

There was controversy over plans to build a waste management facility on the old power station site.

Lancashire County Council produced plans for the unpopular waste management facility in Huncoat. The plans also included an access road through greenbelt land from Burnley Road near the Griffin's Head. "Huncoat Voice" lobby group led protest marches against the plans and Greg Pope MP tried to secure an undertaking from the Government to re-consider a more direct road link from the M65 motorway. It was also revealed that the old power station site had been owned by speculators Omega Atlantic since 2001 who had been hoping to develop it into a business/distribution centre park.

There was controversy over a proposal by the Mid Pennine Arts Group to erect a "Panopticon" landmark on the top of the Coppice.

In August the artist Kerry Morrison began work as Artist in Residence on the Within Grove Project, an initiative to empower youth and residents of the estate to improve their environment.

As the year closed two controversial planning applications were passed. Morris Homes were given permission to erect 51 two and three storey houses off South Street at Hillock Vale on land that used to be Leithards poultry farm. Whinney Hill quarry was earmarked for landfill until at least 2042. About 300 vehicles were visiting the 70 hectare site each day and it will eventually contain 15.6 million cubic metres of waste.

A permanent Christmas Tree was planted on the corner of Altham Lane with Lowergate Road.

January saw refurbishment work resumed on the old White Lion building.

On the last day of January the Lancashire County Council deferred a decision on the waste management facility plans pending last ditch representations by residents to the Government and Highways Agency.

In March some dangerous trees were cut down at Spout House woods but hundreds of new saplings were also planted to widen the woodland and protect it's future.

Plans for a waste management facility on the old power station site received approval on 17th May despite earnest objections from residents.

The idea of a Peace Garden on the corner of Burnley Lane and Lowergate was being developed by the Huncoat Forum. Originally this was the site of Highergate Farm shippon.

The Area Council began to explore options to refurbish the village stocks.

The Within Grove Environment Project was gaining momentum with the involvement of the County Council's REMADE regeneration scheme.

During the Spring and Summer Springtime Videos made a film of "Huncoat in Bloom."

In July the Government Minister decided not to intervene in the planning process for the waste management facility meaning an end to any hopes of stopping it but no actual development was envisaged for several years.

The conversion of the old White Lion pub into flats was finally completed in the Autumn.

In the Spring of 2007 repair work started on the Haweswater aqueduct which on and off lasted for 9 years.

Plans were passed by Hyndburn Borough Council for an expansion of industrial units on the ex Fairclough/Buchan site between Newhouse Road and Whinney Hill Road.

Proposals by G N Properties for a commercial/employment development on the green fields south of the former Huncoat Power Station adjacent to Lowergate Road were rejected by Hyndburn Borough Council in December.

Construction of Phase 1 of the Greenway Cycle route started in the Autumn and was completed by Christmas.

In January new railings were erected around the stocks following damage to the old ones in a motor accident.

Construction of Phase 2 of the Greenway Cycle route commenced in the Spring together with environmental improvements to the landscape at the bottom of Within Grove Estate.

The Methodist Church in Station Road closed down in the Spring after a wall supporting the roof had been surveyed and declared unsafe. The enormous cost it would take to rectify it was considered not viable. Ironically everything was still standing 10 years later!

On 10th June 2008 the Lady Macalpine shelter on top of the Coppice was declared structurally unsafe by Hyndburn Borough Council and had to be demolished, having stood for nearly 100 years.

In September Hyndburn Borough Council approved the controversial outline planning application by G N Properties for a commercial/employment development on the green fields south of the former Huncoat Power Station adjacent to Lowergate Road.

Manufacture of “Accrington (Nori) Brick” ceased on 31st October and the works moth-balled.

Hyndburn Borough Council presented controversial outline plans for future housing and employment development in Huncoat in preparation for the “Core Strategy Development Plan” to replace the Borough Plan of 1996.

In February 15 four year old Oak trees were planted alongside the Greenway off Bolton Avenue.

In March the two Huncoat Councillors on Hyndburn Borough Council launched a new project to get a Community Centre built on land allocated between Yorkshire Street and Highbrake Terrace.

The Accrington Nori Brick works was temporarily re-opened in August only to close again in November, after a life-span of 122 years.

In August work started on the REMADE scheme to upgrade Peel Park and the Coppice to “Country Park” status with improved access and refurbishment of the Peel Monument.

During the Autumn more specific land allocation proposals were published by Hyndburn Borough Council in preparation for the “Core Strategy Development Plan” but locals still had concerns about green fields being included in the scheme.

On 26th September the Coppice Centenary was celebrated with a civic procession to the summit which coincided with the refurbishment of the paths and the Peel monument. The procession was lead by the Mayoress of Hyndburn, Sarah Barton, who was escorted to the top of the hill by an actor who was dressed in period costume from 1909. There were also musicians lining the route of the procession who joined at the top to perform music.

Spring saw commencement of the replacement of the highway concrete fencing alongside Burnley Road and the building of a new water pumping station on the playing fields below Oakfield Avenue.

On 30th March Hyndburn Borough Council decreed that all the land surrounding Spout House woodland including the playing fields should be removed from the housing allocation proposals in the “Core Strategy Development Plan” and preserved in posterity for recreation and amenity. Instead, consultation began to re-allocate the eastern section of the old pit top for future housing development.

In the late Summer the Huncoat Forum’s plans for the Peace Garden began to be realised with the laying of a new paved path, and installation of new seating and the erection of the stone gate posts with peace doves carved upon them.

News came out in October that a Government Inspector had upheld an appeal by Omega Atlantic against compulsory purchase of the land required for the planned waste technology park. This seemed likely to doom the project along with the associated Whinney Hill Link Road. All this time the old power station site remained derelict and neglected with insecure perimeter fencing so had become the domain of graffiti artists which attracted widespread attention when pictures appeared on the internet.

Census indicated the population of the parish to be about 3,285.

On 15th April the Mayor of Hyndburn formally opened The Hollow children’s playground on Bolton Avenue.

On 16th April the Mayor of Hyndburn formally opened the completed Peace Garden.

In May the old block of shops on the corner of Within Grove and Bolton Avenue were demolished.

By Christmas 5 new bungalows had been built on the old Within Grove shops site.

The Huncoat Brick sculpture was built in January by the A56 roundabouts as a Hyndburn gateway.

Early in the year a large new bungalow began to take shape next to Sunnyside.

By late summer all the “Easiform” houses on the west side of Within Grove backing onto the cemetery had been demolished and construction started on new housing.

In August and September public consultations were conducted about council plans to extend Spout House woodland by 10½ acres of new tree planting.

In January the Huncoat Community Forum organised the replacement of the old planks of the village stocks with new oak wood supplied by Altham Oak and Carpentry. Expert opinion was that the old wood was not particularly ancient but it was to be stored for preservation with the Griffin’s Head pub. The stocks seat had rotted away so a new one was being planned.

A finger signpost pointing to the Peace Garden, War Memorial and Spout House woods commissioned by the Huncoat Community Forum and manufactured by Altham Oak and Carpentry was erected next to the village stocks in February.

In April the Huncoat Community Forum placed a replica oakwood prisoner's seat behind the stocks.

The last brick works in the area (Accrington Nori on Whinney Hill Road) was put up for sale.

Huncoat United Junior Football Club celebrated its 30th Anniversary in January. Over the three decades thousands of players had been on the books some going on to become managers and stars. By 2014 the club had grown to include 20 teams catering for around 260 children across the borough.

The scheme to plant 7,000 extra trees in five fields surrounding Spout House woodland was completed with a Community Activity Day on 15th March.

In July Morris Homes proposed 31 new homes to be built behind Badgers Close. This was very controversial because the land had become a wild life haven and had always been envisaged as a green buffer zone. Moreover, it had been agreed in the original planning consent not to build on it and it had been incorporated into the Core Strategy.

In August Hanson Building Products announced that they had ditched plans to sell their Accrington Nori site after a surge in demand for building materials and manufacturing of the famous bricks would resume in January 2015.

From November the road through the centre of the village (Enfield Road/Station Road) was closed for several weeks whilst the level crossing was replaced with automatic barriers.

A cabinet meeting of Hyndburn Borough Council in December approved a proposal to relocate the war memorial from the recreation ground to the corner of Station Road and Lowergate Road. Public preference for improved access to the existing site was ruled out because the gradient would be unsuitable for disabled access and incur ongoing maintenance and public liability costs that could not be justified.

In December Hyndburn Borough Council refused the Morris Homes planning application for 31 new homes behind Badgers Close but a Government Inspector subsequently over ruled this giving the plans the go ahead.

As announced back in August the Nori brickworks re-started production in January.

Phase II of the Spout House fields woodland project began in January with new paths being laid.

Senator Group buildings on Huncoat Business Park have expanded to some 250,000 square feet and they are planning to build an additional 21,000 square feet warehouse primarily for export packing/despatch and a new 5 bay garage and a larger improved lorry park for the transport fleet. They are also seeking planning permission for a new recycling centre at Huncoat. Senator is the UK’s largest manufacturer of office furniture and workplace solutions in the UK. In recent years the Group has expanded with various acquisitions and now also has 216,000 square feet on Altham Business Park. Currently the company employs in excess of 1,100 people worldwide of which the majority are based in Lancashire. In 2014 a new custom built factory was opened in Ohio USA of 80,000 square feet with a 12,000 square feet showroom. The US is an increasingly important overseas market for Senator.

The Council’s plans to relocate the war memorial met opposition from a group calling themselves “The Friends of Huncoat War Memorial and Recreation Ground.” Therefore, a full public consultation was carried out in March. Only 5.2% of residents actually objected but the Council felt that it was a sincere and important indicator of opinion and withdrew the relocation plans. It was then hoped that the Friends of Huncoat War Memorial and Recreation Ground could raise the necessary funds and satisfy the disability, safety and ongoing maintenance costs criteria to improve the access in its current location.

On 5th October Hanson's Brickworks on Whinney Hill Road in Altham became part of Forterra Building Products Ltd. Not long afterwards a slump in the building trade stopped production and towers of bricks were left standing stockpiled in the yards.

The signal box was dismantled in December leaving an unsightly blank space with a heap of gravel. By contrast the railway station itself although managed by Northern Rail was being cared for by a group of volunteers called “Hands on Huncoat Station”. With support from the East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership new life was breathed into the station by keeping it tidy and bright with floral displays thereby improving the ambience for passengers..

A massive blaze at the pallet yard by the level crossing on Friday 13th May destroyed 3,000 pallets and some buildings. Ten fire appliances attended and the road and railway line were closed for several hours causing severe disruption. Afterwards the site was cleared and left as a vacant wasteland for many months.

Autumn saw the permanent closure of the Black Bull as a pub and the brickworks once again put into mothballs.

In November further path improvements were carried out in Spout House woodlands.

A new owner of the old power station site was revealed in March, Clowes Group Property Investment and Real Estate Development Organisation. They demolished the remnant buildings of the admin block on the site that had long been attracting trespassers and graffito. A new Government Investment Scheme was announced for “Garden Villages” which was expected to bring up to 2,000 new homes to Huncoat. The power station site and adjacent fields would be developed under this scheme.

The Black Bull pub was under reconstruction to convert it into a private dwelling and in August plans came to light for 15 new homes on the spare land in Yorkshire Street.

Early in 2018 new buildings were being erected on the old pallet yard site.