OUR report that more than 10,000 people packed into Smithills Hall last weekend emphasises just how important people think our local heritage is.

Cllr Bob Howarth, chairman of the Smithills Hall sub-committee steering the multi-million pound refurbishment of the hall, said letters have been coming in from visitors saying how pleased and impressed they were by the start of the restoration work.

As he points out there is a long way to go until the work is completed.

But the fact that so many visitors were attracted to take a look at the Victorian west wing of the 14th century manor house bodes well for the future.

There was a similar success story at Hall i'th' Wood where they have extended the opening until October.

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