Friday 31st May 2024 was the 100 year anniversary of Astley Hall and Park being formally handed over by Reginald Aurthur Tatton to the people of Chorley. On that date in 1924 the Hall officially opened as a museum and a newly created cenotaph off Park Road was unveiled as a memorial to Chorley’s fallen of the First World War. Exactly one hundred years later the voluntary groups most associated with Astley – the Friends of the Hall, the Walled Gardeners, the Family History and Heraldry Society, and the Friends of Astley Park were invited to a low key get together at the Hall by Chorley Council. The Red Rosettes Show Chorus sang Happy Birthday and the voluntary groups were thanked for their contributions over many years.
On Sunday 2nd June 2024 there was a re-enactment of the 1924 opening ceremony started-off by a speech from Chorley’s Mayor Councillor Gordon France and followed by a parade made up of many local groups to the Hall. Here a ribbon was cut by the Mayor and Mayoress Councillor Margaret France – and the main door to the building opened. This event was anything but a low key affair. The parade was headed by a jazz band, and within the throng of people there was a stilt walker, jugglers and many participants dressed in period costumes.
After the ribbon cutting, the gathering, swelled by many people also there for Picnic in the Park, was entertained by the jazz band who did a lively rendition of numerous tunes that were animated by a Charlie Chapin look-a-like performer.
Friends of Astley Park 