St Helens Heritage site ‘wins’ Lotto

Mar 14 2008 by Laura Sharpe, Liverpool Daily Post

A HISTORIC Merseyside heritage site has been awarded almost £1m from the National Lottery.

St Helens Stanley Bank Triangle project has been granted £865,500 to safeguard, enhance and promote the Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The money from the Heritage Lottery Fund follows earlier grants to explore and excavate the area in Blackbrook.

A hive of industry hundreds of years ago, the site was home to collieries, copper works, metal forges, and a cornmill. Archaeological digs below green lanes and fields have found evidence of the industrial history at various sub-surface depths.

Over three years, the money will enhance the nearby Sankey Valley Visitor Centre, improve paths and conserve the Stanley Slitting Mill.

A range of events including the successful community archaeology project will run alongside the project in the hope of involving the local community. The work is due to begin in April.