THIS is the final part of our feature on the history of Wallsuches and its bleachworks in Horwich and its importance in the development of the town as a whole.

We learned last week that many Horwich families can trace their ancestry back to the Wallsuches Club Houses and Bleachworks.

Horwich Heritage has uncovered some fascinating stories.

Frank Petty, the narrator of the film the history society made of Bottom o'th' Moor is descended from Christopher Petty who was one of the first occupants of the Club Houses — the homes built for the bleach works' staff. Lucy Pendlebury's father, grandfather and great grandfather all worked at the Wallsuches Bleachwork, explains Horwich Heritage chairman Stuart Whittle.

"There are a number of familiar Horwich names which appear in the early records of the Club Houses such as Farrington, Hopwood, Longworth, Pass and Whittle but none more prominent than that of Andrew Peak.

"In 1841 he was living there with his mother Alice, widow of William and as a young man he went, like so many others, to work at Wallsuches Bleachworks where he rose to become a department manager.

"He obviously had the entrepreneurial spirit because shortly afterwards he became a brick manufacturer at Wilderswood and built a number of properties in Horwich.

"He went on to become a prominent business man and major employer and served on the Local Board and it was he who donated the lamp and drinking fountain that stood for many years outside the Crown Hotel.

"As a committed Christian he was a major benefactor of the Lee Lane Congregational Church, donating the church clock, choir gallery and altar table and chairs which are now on display in the Heritage Centre," explains Stuart.

In his obituary, in 1889, he was described as someone who had been pre-eminent in the recent development of the town and who deserved to be remembered for his contribution.

So Wallsuches was instrumental in creating the Horwich we know today and this development started an incredible 215 years ago.

"This tightly knit community of 150 stone-built bleachworkers' cottages has survived the potential threats that have see the loss of so many historic properties in Horwich to become a very desirable place to live.

"What stories those little houses with their weaving cellars, back to backs, arches and backyards have to tell. These are the building blocks of present day Horwich," says Stuart.

To find out more about Wallsuches, Arcon Village and the history of Horwich head to the Horwich Heritage Centre where you can find out more. There is an open day on Saturday.