Rufford, It’s Past and It’s People
Rufford. Its Past and Its People
Rufford. Its Past and Its People.
Well, Joan, a criticism should first be brought to the fore. Where is the apostrophe? Not a slight at you of course, definitely the publisher (my cheek can only go so far).
The book is a wonderful read for the local people of Rufford, both for those with longstanding ties to the rural Lancashire Village, situated in the triangle between Ormskirk, Southport and Preston, and those commutters who now call Rufford their home.
Fertile fields supplied trade to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal through to the industrial coal & trading towns of Wigan & Liverpool. A back water, yet more important than the people of the time truly understood. This lovely little paperback will illustrate to the local historians the importance of names, families & tradition to the ongoing strength of a local village as well as the core strengths that hold it together.
Duncan Ferguson surely felt that community when he lived in the village, although he would always come second best to Joan in the toughness stakes.
This isn’t a formal history book. It came about through the author’s wish to see knowledge of the village written down for the benefit of future generations and the pleasure of those who share her love for Rufford and its yester years. The Hesketh family thread runs through the book, but the villagers – farmers and tradesmen mostly – are what it is about. Joan has researched the parish registers and done some digging (metaphorically) in the graveyards. She has looked at the buildings – houses, farmhouses and business premises. Her memories of the umpteen cafes and tearooms frequented by those travelling through on their way to Preston, Ormskirk and Liverpool before the coming of the motorway meant a reduction in traffic along the ancient highway which is the A59, are placed in this Rufford Record.
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Our Grey
Only one winner in the Joan Rimmer v Big Dunc battle.