The Aims of the Trust

The aim of the Trust as set out in the Memorandum and Articles of Association (the constitution) is;

"The object of the Charity is to advance the education of the public in the history ofLathom Park primarily but not exclusively through:

(a) Carrying out and supporting historical and archaeological research and surveys within Lathom Park and the dissemination of the results of such research.

(b) Promoting the historical and archaeological significance of Lathom Park and encouraging the identification, protection and preservation of significant sites.

(c) Offering and supporting training for the general public in historical research.

Research
Much historical and archaeological research has already been undertaken in recent years into such topics as the site of the late medieval fortified Lathom House, including excavations, dendrochronology, stone surveys and geophysical surveys. The body of knowledge has grown immensely, but there is still much to discover about what lies hidden below ground and in dusty libraries and records. As is often the case, the more one knows, the more one realises that there is so much more yet to learn. Archaeological research rarely finds a definitive answer to a question; more often it will provide clues, and generate more questions. Certainly in Lathom Park there is much more to discover.

The Trust is aware that research is of limited value if the results of that research are not collated and made widely known. The Trust therefore aims to become a central point where information relating to Lathom Park can be collected, stored and accessed by everyone.
The Trust therefore aims to provide that information in a variety of ways, not only via this website but also by establishing a study centre in Lathom Park, where the Trust's growing collection of historic artefacts can also be displayed, by installing information panels at strategic locations, through presentations and events and by the production of printed literature.

Promotion
The Trust is already aware of the importance of Lathom Park in relation to so many aspects of history but one of its key roles is to promote that importance so that it is more widely appreciated and acknowledged. Lathom may now be a quiet parish in rural Lancashire, but it was once the administrative and power centre of the North West of England, in effect ‘The Northern Court’ and the Trust would like to see that fact, and its many other claims to fame to be recognised.

Identification and Preservation
The historic buildings and structures in Lathom Park are a tangible link with the past and many of them are rare and important examples of their building type. The importance of some of these buildings is already acknowledged through the statutory listing procedure operated by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, English Heritage and West Lancashire District Council. But inevitably, the value of some buildings and structures may not have been fully appreciated at the time of their official survey, in any event, there are many buildings, which may not be of sufficient architectural or historic interest to justify inclusion on the statutory list, but which are of local interest and should at lest be identified as such.

The Trust considers that it is essential that all historic structures, buildings and landscapes are properly preserved and maintained in good condition to prevent deterioration and so that they remain as ‘living’ archival resources. Unfortunately the condition of features such as the Park Wall, the bowling alley and Moss Hey Gate Bridge are deteriorating. The Trust is therefore committed to doing what it can to encourage or facilitate the application of good conservation principles to the repair and maintenance of the structures.

Training
The Trust also recognises that it is not only professional academics who have a role to play in research, although their guidance and knowledge is invaluable. Members of the public already have great knowledge from their own experiences of living and working in Lathom Park and this knowledge should be recorded in some form before the opportunity is lost
The public can also carry out useful and valid research with the correct training and the Trust is anxious to harness the interest and enthusiasm, which the public can generate. Public involvement in research also enables the scope of research to be broadened, perpetuates local interest in the work of the Trust and gives ownership of the Trust to the public.