John Blackburne News Today

SIR – Peter Stanford is the latest columnist to describe the numerous woes of the Church of England (Features, March 31). Many readers will simply say to themselves: “What does it matter if the former leading religion in the country fades into oblivion?” A tour of the villages of England will provide an answer: in every part of the country, parish churches occupy a central position. Prior to the establishment of parish councils in 1894, the local church not only provided spi...

SIR – How sad that a conscientious, hard-working MP (and competent junior minister) like Mike Freer has been forced out by the mob (“Pro-Israeli Tory minister to quit after death threats”, report, February 1).

Why Orford Hall was one of the most important buildings in Warrington.

WARRINGTON has plenty of examples of fantastic buildings and architecture.

THIS week we look back to when Orford Hall was one of the most important buildings in Warrington.

Orford Hall THIS week in Yester Years, we look back to when Orford Hall was one of the most important buildings in Warrington. The residence of John Blackburne esquire, on present-day Battersby Lane provided a grand southern approach to the hall, which was home to the Blackburne family. The story of the hall and surrounding parkland, now known as Orford Park was told in a book The A-Z of Warrington penned by Warrington historian Janice Hayes. The hall itself was largely rebuilt around ...