MEMORIES and photographs are wanted for in an appeal to help bring the historic Radcliffe Tower back to life.

Bury Council is appealing for contributions from residents to embellish and explain the results of the Big Dig – an excavation of the tower’s remains which took place last autumn.

The dig, which was funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and carried out by the council, Salford University and volunteers, was completed before Christmas.

A full report will be published in the next few weeks but an exhibition providing an update on the project is currently on display in Radcliffe Library in Stand Lane.

It was hoped the Big Dig would reveal the footings of the great hall and manor house which formerly stood on the site, but only fragments of these remain.

The excavations did uncover striking findings including foundations of worker’s cottages on Tower Street, stone foundations and pottery and tile fragments which could be from the medieval hall, and surviving sections of the 18th century farm courtyard.

Chris Wilkinson, project manager at the council, said: “With the archaeological investigation complete, it is now time to decide how to present and interpret the site.

“We need to firm up proposals on what landscaping to carry out, how information on the site should be presented and who to aim it at.”

He issued an appeal to residents, asking: “Do you have any old photographs or recollections of the hall site or church that you could share with us?

“Do you, or did you, know anybody that lived on Church Row, the old cottages on Tower Street, or who worked at Tower Farm? Do you have views on how the site should be improved?

“Have you seen any good examples of the presentation of historical sites that you think could be applied at Radcliffe Hall and Tower? Would you like to get involved?”

Anyone with information or suggestions can leave items with staff at Radcliffe Library or can email Planning.Projects@bury.gov.uk. More information is available at radcliffeheritage.co.uk