The Formby Blog

Tweet of the Day

Formby is home to some exciting architecture. 

Off to @RIBANorthWest #BestinNW #awards with @shedkmRIBA + @la_clairebie. Our Formby house is shortlisted... pic.twitter.com/fqVBTphGi7

— Darren Jones (@dazzy_j) April 16, 2015

Tweet of the Day

Another stunning image of the ship wreck. 

Great walk out to the Ionic Star wreck at Formby Point last week. Check the tides if you want to do it though!! pic.twitter.com/G9zLaolUxi

— Lynn (@PaperDollyLynn) April 27, 2015

Tweet of the Day

A colourful celebration of the Day. 

Cherry blossom looking fantastic again today #Formby pic.twitter.com/Qmks3pDIlm

— Rob (@lawncarerob) April 27, 2015

Formby Arms Inn Serving the Community

Officers from the Royal Engineers conducting the 1845 Ordnance Survey record the existence of the Formby Arms Inn.

According to the Ordnance Survey map published in 1848, this building is sited on a place designated as the Formby Arms Inn. I cannot confirm if this was the original building, but I suspect part of the current house was the Inn. The large section of the building to the left has a date stone incorporated into the fascia. This shows the date AD MDCCCLXIV which is the year 1864. So I think that section might be an extension to the original building.

Where's the evidence that the building was an Inn? The answer is shown below:

This extract from the Ordnance map was surveyed in 1845-6 by Captains Hamley and Stanley, both Royal Engineers. The map was 'contoured' in 1847 by Lieutenant Barlow, RE this is a reference to the Bench Mark (BM 32.4) and engraved in 1845 under the direction of Captain Yelland at the Ordnance Map Office in Southampton.

As I wrote in an earlier story the community of the 'Old Town', now known as Freshfield, was well served in 'matters of the spirit. The map illustrates the importance of these two buildings as 'centres of community'.

 

Tweet of the Day

Formby is lucky to have two bookshops that engage with customers as much as ours' do. 

Lovely to have had @janecostello brighten up a sadly dull day in #Formby she had some lovely fans tag along too! pic.twitter.com/Ks2iCPpTsx

— Formby Books (@FormbyBooks) April 25, 2015

The fabulous Angela Formby, ex #Formby resident is with us now until 12.30, signing her topical Syrian based novel! pic.twitter.com/4mssTY1wk8

— The Olde Bookshop (@TheOldeBookshop) April 25, 2015