The Parish of Altham was in 1256 named Alvetham but in 1363 the name was changed to Altham. Altham Parish is split into 3 and lies on the eastern side of Lancashire with major towns of Blackburn to the West whilst Burnley lies to the East. The Parish extends from the River Calder West with Pilkington Bridge taking the road over the Leeds to Liverpool canal to the boundary meeting Clayton le Moors and to the south meeting the township of Huncoat. Altham West is to the south side of Clayton le Moors.

Altham was predominately mining, agricultural and brick manufacturing until 1949 when Moorfield Colliery closed with agriculture and brick making still a very big part of Altham along with many other manufacturing industries. It currently has two large trading estates Altham Business Park and Moorfield Industrial Estate. Altham also has a 12th Century Church and a Primary School.

In the early fifties Altham enjoyed two shops including a Post Office, Police Post, two Public Houses and of course the Leeds- Liverpool canal that carried coal from Burnley to Blackburn Power Station but ceased in the mid-sixties. Altham also has a Parish Council which was formed back in the 1800s

Up until 1974 Altham was part of Burney Rural District Council and residents of the Parish had to pay their rates (now known as Council tax) to Burnley, then came the big boundary change. In 1974 the Parish of Altham became part of the newly formed Hyndburn Council and Altham was and still is the only Parish in Hyndburn. I think it is worth mentioning that Altham now homes a Football Stadium the WHAM Stadium where the FAMOUS Accrington Stanley FC hosts their home games and the stadium has gone through a great deal of improvements over the last 4/5 years thanks to an Altham Businessman Mr Andy Holt.

Up until the late nineties the Parish Council held their meetings at Altham St. James Primary School but has more work and responsibilities’ where being given to all Parish Councils Altham acquired their own offices at Media House on Moorfield where they still are today.

The Parish Council is an elected body and seen to be the first tier of government and is made up of seven Councillors along with the Clerk to the Council who is also the RFO (Responsible Finance Officer} The Council meet around every six weeks and agendas, minutes and financial matters are recorded along with planning matters, highway issues, road safety matters and any policing issues related to the Parish. A typical Parish meeting will last around one and half hours and is open to the public

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