History of The Pilling and District Historical Society

By Headlie Lawrenson, Rosina Lawson and Ann Hindle.

The nucleus of the Pilling Historical Society took shape when, during the Second World War, areas of Pilling which had not been touched by the plough for generations were turned over, and together with the extensive working of the mosslands, revealed artifacts and features of an earlier Pilling which up to the time had remained concealed.

Mr.F.J.Sobee, headmaster of the Church of England School in Pilling and a keen antiquarian, recognised the importance of these finds and encouraged his pupils and their parents to report anything unusual that they might see. As a result of this, Mr.Sobee and a few friends in 1946 investigated numerous sites in the Pilling area, some of which have proved to be of national importance. It was from these small beginnings that today's flourishing Society has emerged.

The first recorded meeting of the Society took place in the Oddfellows Hall, Pilling on Monday 6th October, 1947 when fifteen members attended a lecture on 'Kings Highway' given by Mr.S.Moorhouse F.R.G.S. At this inaugural meeting, Mr.Sobee was elected as Chairman, Mr.H. Sherdley as Secretary and Mr.W.Stafford as Treasurer. It was decided to charge a membership fee of 2s. 6d. (12 p).

On the evening of 3rd June, 1948 members visited the ancient wood circle at Bleasdale, the first of many excursions to places of historic or archaeological interest arranged by the Society, the one-day outing eventually being added to the programme of events.

Archaeological investigations by members are well documented in previous journals some of the most memorable of these include the excavations at the Kate's Pad location near Moss Cottage Farm, Pilling, the search to find the lost 17th century Dickinson headstones on the shore at Fluke Hall Point and the study of the numerous pits which are still referred to today as the Pilling 'graves'. In 1951 a site east of Bradshaw Lane was identified as possibly being of Bronze Age origin. An expedition also took place (with members of Fleetwood Historical Society) to the Wyre estuary to search for evidence of the Roman Portus Setantiorum (no trace was found).

Interest in the Society and its activities was increasing beyond Pilling, and therefore it was proposed at a meeting on 25th March, 1953, that the Society's title be amended to the Pilling and District Historical Society.

In 1974, the Society lost its status in the County Education Scheme. Now, fully independent, funds had to be found to meet the cost of expenses for visiting lecturers and accommodation for meetings.

Through the financial generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Higginson, the first volume of the Over-Wyre Historical Journal was published in 1981, followed at intervals by Vols. 2,3,4,5 and 6.

The Society is greatly indebted to the dedication and enthusiasm of all its members past and present, without whom our knowledge of the history of the locality and its peoples would be greatly lacking. Undoubtedly, there is much more yet to be revealed in the environs round these ancient mosslands both for present and future members to discover.

Early Days

Some of the Founder Members working on the Moss

At the back (from left to right): - Mr R.Ronson, Mr M. Parkinson and Mr R. Cottam

In front: Mr H. Sherdley and Mr W. H. Lawrenson