Items relating to preston, lancashire.

Welcome to the PRESTON ITEMS of the web site !

Preston is in the county of Lancashire, United Kingdom. The name Preston comes from the word "priest town" due to its religious history.

Preston is located on the main North to South route through the United Kingdom with the Irish Sea on its West side, and the Pennine hills to the East. The original Southern bridge into Preston crossed the River Ribble at Walton-Le-Dale where I live. The bridge was located at a southern fordable point on the Ribble. The original bridge, long since gone, was replaced by Walton Bridge about 50 yards upstream. The Walton bridge carries the main A6 ( the London Road ) into Preston.

The Preston section of my web site will include ANY Preston related items as long as they are collectable.

Many of the items in this section are provided by my long term friend and fellow collector, Mick Hopkinson. Mick is otherwise known as Mick the proud Prestonian, so I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his never ending assistance.

Commemorative Cup - Town Hall

The photograph below is of a cup issued to commemorate the opening of Preston's "new" town hall on October 3rd 1867. The town hall was badly damaged by fire in 1947 and, although still partly in use, demolished in the early 1960's.

Commemorative Cup - Town Hall opening

The photograph above right is of another cup issued to commemorate the opening of Preston's "new" town hall on October 3rd 1867. This cup shows the town hall from a different angle. This is a lovely example of a Victorian commemorative cup, having the blue cobble stone effect to the rim.

Wilson's Pork Butchers Gift Plate

I have always believed that these plates were given away as a Christmas gift. These are the days of the corner shop and localised trade. An upset customer would change butchers, possibly never to return, so the local shopkeeper would give you the personal treatment. This personal treatment would also include a gift at Christmas, just to remind you who is looking after you.

This local butchers plate was issued by Wilsons pork Butchers. Wilson's shop was in North Road Preston. His ribbon plate shows the swine herder bringing a group of pigs to be slaughtered in his own slaughterhouse located at the rear of the premises.

The detailed transfer reads "J. WILSON WHOLESALE & RETAIL PORK BUTCHER HAM & BACON CURER, LARD REFINER, NORTH ROAD, PRESTON". The gable end wall of the premises has an advert which reads "WILSON'S FAMOUS SAUSAGES AND HAMS. TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS PRESTON"