THE once rustic village of Billinge is changing . . . and not, I'm afraid, for the better!

Much local dismay was registered (though not too much fighting spirit) when the historic stone-built former council offices were demolished.

This was just one landmark building, on a gradually-expanding list, to bite the dust.

Now the ancient, stone-built Birchley schoolhouse has gone on the chopping block, despite, this time, a tidal wave of protest that seems to have fallen on deaf ears.

Yes, I'm afraid that the village character is being knocked out of what was once a unique little spot on the Lancashire map.

IS there no way of halting this slide from old-world charm to the anonymity of modern-day bricks and mortar?

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.