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Closure of the Heanor
Heritage Centre
It was with much sadness that the Society announced the
permanent closure of the Heanor Heritage Centre, situated at Marlpool Cemetery, as
from 25 January 2005.
Having been at this location since 1991,
the owners, Amber Valley Borough Council, are unable to renew our
lease this year, as they require the building for other purposes. The Society fully understands
the council's position, and we are grateful for their continuing
support to assist us with the storage of items while we are homeless!
For some time, the Society has been looking for better
accommodation, somewhere closer to the town centre. We are still holding discussions with the Heanor and Loscoe
Town Council to try to find somewhere. Whatever happens, it is likely to be
some time before we have another Heritage Centre, and so, in the meantime, all our items will be put into
storage. We will, of course, continue to put on displays at various
locations.
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We can, however, still
reminisce about our Centre...... |
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1856 saw a Government Commission into Burial Grounds declare that burials should
be discontinued at Heanor Parish Church, the Congregational Church at
Marlpool, the Wesleyan Chapel, and the Baptist Chapel at Langley Mill.
The end result of this was the establishment of the still-used Marlpool
Cemetery, on land known as "The Hallows," which was bought by the Heanor
Burial Board from Mr. F.T. Howitt. The cemetery was consecrated by the
Bishop of Lichfield in January 1859, and the first Superintendent was Mr
John Horridge.
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Within the new cemetery, there was provision for a house for the Cemetery
Superintendent, and for two chapels of rest, one for the Church of
England, and one for non-conformists. |
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In 1991, the Heanor & District Local History Society was offered the lease
on the non-conformist chapel to establish a Heritage Centre - we've been
there till now! In the time the Centre was open, some 13,000
people have visited.
The Heritage Centre displayed a wide range of artefacts, photographs and
documents relating to the area. |
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A postcard of the chapels, dated 1907 - spot the major
difference between this picture and the two more recent ones above!
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Two photographs showing the interior of the Heritage Centre - a bit
cluttered perhaps, and showing some of the problems we had in the way of
accommodation, but nevertheless a wealth of local historical information. |
The
Society continues to hold occasional displays at other places -
click here for more information.
A new Heritage Centre?
We are hoping to re-open within the foreseeable future at a new venue, closer
to the town centre, whether it is the old Fire Station or somewhere else.......
Watch this space!
Last modified on
13/12/09
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