THE dreams of a group of Horwich history enthusiasts will be realised next week with the opening of a heritage centre in the town.

Horwich Heritage was set up in 1984 to record the history of the town before the closure of the rail works altered it forever.

And on Tuesday, one of the main objectives will be met with the opening of the centre by the town mayor, Cllr John Bragg.

It has been set up in association with the town council and Bolton Council in Horwich Resource Centre, Beaumont Road, which Horwich Heritage have supported since the centre opened in 1991.

Earlier this year the town council offered the group two rooms in the centre on a permanent basis which created the long-awaited opportunity to set up the heritage centre.

Bolton Council's leisure services department then gave two tourism development grants totalling £3,850 for re-decoration and to buy display equipment, lighting, publications, video and display material.

Bolton Library Service has also supplied material and loaned artifacts for the centre, but the rest is down to the hard work of the committee and helpers.

The heritage centre covers the history of the area and features displays on the local works, textiles, mining, transport, social life and the achievements of Lord Leverhulme.

Local historians Terry Foley, John Garrity, Tom Leech, David Smith, John Smith and David Thompson have provided information for the displays and Bolton College have helped in the production of a video.

"It is not just dry bones, nor is it just dedicated to the rich heritage of the past," said Stuart Whittle, chairman of Horwich Heritage and a founder member. "We are trying to link it to tourism and promoting the town.

"We are hoping that as many people who visit Rivington would also wish to visit Horwich.

"The two are closely aligned and if we can deflect some of the visitors to Horwich and to our centre, we can promote not only our heritage trails, but the towns restaurants, shops, pubs and other numerous facilities on offer."

There is much more of the story of Horwich to be told and the exhibits will be changed at regular intervals.

It is also hoped that the people of Horwich will contribute their own memories and mementos to the centre.

Cllr Gerald Riley, vice-chairman of Bolton Council's Tourism Working Party, said the council was very pleased to be among the organisations supporting the project.

"Horwich has a varied and interesting history from an industrial and social point of view," said Cllr Riley.

The centre will be open to the public every Saturday, beginning October 14, from 10am to 4pm. Admission free.

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