Dig to discover more about Farnworths Rock Hall hall

A DEDICATED charity is continuing in its quest to discover more about the history of a much loved county park hall and to ultimately bring it back to its former glory.

An archaeological dig was held at Rock Hall, in Moses Gate Country Park, over the bank holiday weekend, inviting children and families to learn more about the history of the grounds.

The dig was held by Stuart Noon and DigVentures who held workshops teaching people about the importance and what can be learned from archaeological digs, as well as letting people dig for themselves to discover the hidden history of Rock Hall.

This was held in partnership with the Banana Enterprise Network, who are leading the 'Save Rock Hall' campaign to 'renovate Rock Hall and develop it into a sustainable community focussed asset'.

The dig has cost around £25,000 and was funded by the £99,600 National Lottery Heritage Fund the charity received in March this year.

It is crucial to finding out more of the history of the building and the surrounding area, and will play a huge role in the next stage of Save Rock Halls project ­â€" a £2.5m bid to the National Heritage Lottery to finally renovate the hall.

Jayne Allman, CEO of the Banana Enterprise Network heading the Save Rock Hall campaign, said: "The projects are key to showing the Heritage Fund there is historical significance to this, which there definitely is.

"There is such a rich history here and we're only really scratching the surface so far. It's so hard to find much about its history online. Thomas Bonsor Crompton was key to the paper making around the country which was based here but we know so little about him.

"We've started writing a book and we are learning so much all the time. It's been great to see families and kids getting involved and learning more with this dig. People have been walking past asking what's going on and it's been fantastic to give people the history.

"We've found the footprint of Vale House, which is elsewhere in the park and we can't wait to dig there too and find out more about that.

"There's no sign of it here anymore which will be great to get digging there.

"DigVentures have been great to work with on this dig and have been so good at helping to educate people.

"These and other projects are vital in securing the funding to renovate the hall and bring back Rock Hall as a great community asset. We've got so many people working on different things to help us work on our case for the heritage lottery funding with so many great volunteers too who care so much about bringing back Rock Hall for the community."

To follow the different projects, visit 'Save Rock Hall Farnworth' on Facebook or visit bananaenterprisenetwork.co.uk.

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