The Fylde Country Life Heritage Centre

The heritage Centre is set out in 10.000 square feet of farm building. There are twenty-six major exhibits set out in realistic scenes of shops, rooms and buildings. They cover living, working and leisure. A cottage, blacksmith, clogger, office, dairy, lineshafting, and World Wars 1 and 2 are only part of the wide range of displays. Most of the collection has been restored to working condition and volunteer members of the Fylde Country Life Preservation Society often give displays.

In 1974 a group of enthusiasts got together and formed the society. The object of the society was the promotion of interest in the history of rural craft, industry and agriculture of the Fylde area. A unique area of lowland between the main road from Preston to Lancaster and the coast. It include much open countryside re-claimed from the marshland or mossland and the towns of Fleetwood, Blackpool, Poulton le Fylde, Lytham St Annes, Kirkham and Garstang.

This was to be for the benefit of the public and to this end members would attend shows and events to display their collections. They were also on hand to put on displays at anniversaries at local churches and businesses. In 1990 the members decided to set up a permanent base for their larger exhibits and a museum was started on a farm in the countryside near Garstang. After six years of success including being runners up in two tourism awards, the farmer retired and the museum was looking for a new home. After inspecting many sites it was decided to accept the offer of Farmer Parrs Animal World. The collections of history and animals would compliment each other.

The society has a strong membership who hold shows, monthly meetings with talks and occasional outings. Each Easter members put on one of their own shows at Farmer Parrs, where vehicles, tractors, engines, and collections are put on display. At Christmas the Heritage Centre is traditionally decorated, especially the Christmas meal set in the cottage, with members helping Farmer Parr to be host for Father Christmas with deer and nativity scene.