With the help of a group of local history enthusiasts, Garstang Partnership is deciding which buildings and features should be included.
Here, ANTHONY COPPIN suggests some ideas of his own:


1. The canal aqueduct
A SHORT walk from Garstang centre lies a little known engineering marvel ...
a single span aqueduct which carries the Lancaster canal over the River Wyre.
It is 110 feet long and 34 feet high. A flight of steep steps links the canal to the river bank. Construction of the canal took five years. It officially opened in 1797. The canal, and the Garstang aqueduct were designed by John Rennie, who was also the creator of the impressive Lune aqueduct at Lancaster.

2. Garstang's rail heritage
LITTLE remains of the old Garstang to Knott End railway. Much of the old line (which opened in 1870) was taken up four decades ago and has been built on. Part of the route still exists - as the road to the waterworks off Lancaster Road - which continues to an old rail cutting known as Wild Goose Wood where the landowner allows concessionary access.

3. The old Corn Mill
THIS was built in the 18th century, although its origins are believed to lie much earlier, in the 13th century. Its proximity to the often fast moving waters of the River Wyre would have given it a plenteous source of power to grind the corn harvested by the farmers of yesteryear. The Corn Mill is now a nursing home.

4. The Market Cross
IN 1310 Edward II first granted the Market Charter to the town. In the centre of the Market Place stands the Market Cross, which is probably the most famous landmark in Garstang. It was first erected in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's jubilee.

5. The old Grammar School/Arts Centre
BUILT in 1756, this landmark Garstang building continued as a school until 1928. It is owned by Garstang Town Trust who for many years have rented it to Garstang Arts Society, which acts as an umbrella organisation for many other artistic and cultural groups in the town.

6. The Royal Oak
ONE of the best known pubs in Garstang, with its impressive facing the historic market place, was, in the 17th century the town's principal posting house on the road route between London and Edinburgh. Some of Cromwell's troops were stationed their during the siege of Greenhalgh Castle. One well known visitor was Sir Walter Scott.

7. St Thomas's Church
ALTHOUGH historically the parish church for Garstang was St Helens at Churchtown, this Anglican church was built in Church Street in 1769. It was consecrated in the name of St. Thomas in 1848, and created a separate parish from its mother church in Churchtown in 1881.

8. Stoops Hall (Singleton's)
GARSTANG'S best known pork pie shop is, in fact, based in an old building called Stoops Hall, which dates back several centuries. According to former Wyre local history librarian Catherine Rothwell it was once the headquarters of the King's Own Royal Lancashire Regiment. The nearby stable block is believed to date back to the 17th century.

9 The old town hall
THE building has suffered a series of mishaps down the ages. It was built in 1680 but burned down in 1750, and rebuilt. In another fire in 1939 many of the town's old records were lost, but luckily not the old market charter. It currently houses Garstang's Royal British Legion Club and some shops.
10. Greenhalgh Castle
THE castle was built in 1490 by Thomas Stanley, 1st Earl of Derby.
During the Civil War the castle was garrisoned by James, Earl of Derby in support of Charles I. The royalists held out against an bitter siege by Parliamentary troops during 1644/45 before evenutall surrendering.
Dismantled around 1650, the castle's stones were reused in local buildings. All that remains standing is part of one of the four original corner towers.
The area around the castle was opened up in 2001 for a spectacular re-enactment involving the Sealed Knot Society.

11. The old cinema/ magistrates court
GARSTANG'S old cinema/entertainment centre is thought to date back to Victorian times. After that use ended, it later went on to become the town's magistrates' court. It is now used as a training school for the area's Justices of the Peace.

12. The United Reformed Church
Originally founded as a Congregational/Independent Church in 1717, the United Reformed Church continues its Christian witness centuries later. The church is involved in numerous good causes, and its neighbouring hall is regularly used for community meetings.