From its heyday in the nineteenth century as a major centre of wire making, textiles, chemical production and brewing through to its Second World War role as the largest US Army Air Force base in Europe and subsequent reinvention as a new town in the late 1960s, Warrington is now the largest town in Cheshire, with a proud heritage and distinctive identity.

Celebrating Warrington highlights some of the significant aspects of the town’s history including its important moments, worthy individuals, notable achievements and newsworthy events. Local heritage curator and author Janice Hayes brings together a superb collection of images and stories from Warrington Museum and Archives. There are a number of firsts the town is famous for from within its industries, entertainments, sporting successes, seasonal, national and local events and celebrations. Discover Warrington’s unique Walking Day parades and explore how this unique local celebration has evolved.

Remember travelling fairs and when the circus and other travelling entertainers came to town. Join the crowds at Warrington sporting events and be part of the welcome home parades for the town’s successful rugby league team. Readers can witness the excitement around the unveiling of new enterprises and heritage sites, or the launch of locally built ships and the opening of the Thelwall Viaduct. Then there are the reflective acts of remembrance for national and local events from major conflicts to local tragedies. Open the family album to discover how Warrington has recorded key milestones in people’s lives or marked royal events from coronations and jubilees to when Warrington turned out to welcome its royal visitors.

Illustrated throughout, this book will appeal to local residents, visitors and all those with connections to the town.