A capacity audience ensued at a meeting of the Preston Historical Society which was held on Monday evening of 7th January 2013. All were delightfully entertained and well informed by a talk of Preston’s renowned historian, Dr. Alan Crosby – ‘The History of our River: Preston and the River Ribble from prehistory to the present day’.

Alan described the evolution of the River Ribble before and since the times of the Roman settlements and how the coastline has changed over time due to the effects of nature and intervention by mankind.

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The audience learned of how land has been reclaimed from the Ribble to gain pasture and building land so increasing the area of Preston.

As the talk progressed it became quite clear that the River Ribble played such an important part in developing Preston into what we see today and that although it is not used commercially nowadays, it still remains as a naturally wild river and quite unique in many ways.

Amongst the many historical books written by Alan is his latest work, ‘The History of Preston Guild’. This is an excellent and comprehensive account of the Guilds of Preston written in great detail but in such terms as to hold the interest of every reader

The History of Preston Guild book may be obtained from the Harris Museum, Preston Visitor Information Centre or from all good booksellers.

The Preston Historical Society, founded in 1948, meets on the first Monday of the month between October and May. Our meetings, which start at 7.15 pm, are held at the Central Methodist Church, Lune Street, Preston.

The annual membership subscription is £10, and admission for visitors to a meeting is only £2.

You can find out more about the Historical Society on their website and also on the Facebook page.

Reviewed by Paul D. Swarbrick & Gillian A. Lawson