[Atarah]

I have just watched a brillliant programme this morning "So you think you are Royal" on SKY TV. Excellent! T'was about a family who had always been told they were descended from a "love affair" between King George IV and Mrs Fitzherbert. Although the Palace would not allow the TV researchers permission to use their historical records, after much research, it was acknowledged that the tale WAS feasible.

This reminded me of a similar tale once told to me by an elderly local historian regarding COLNEY HOUSE along Blackburn Road (corner of Hartman Street). You have to remember all the land around this area of town was owned by Frederick Steiner, the founder of the great Turkey Red dye works at Church. He bought Hyndburn House from the Peel family around 1849. As he became wealthier, he bought a second home in London, where he and his family moved in Royal circles. He had two daughters, Lina and Emma (streets named after them of course). One daughter married a Mr Hartman(n). The tale I heard was that that King Edward VII and one of the daughters were very good friends. He supposedly had the house in Accrington built (have you ever taken the time to stop and look at why such a HUGE house should be built on that site? Also was told that occasionally the Royal Train was seen to pull into Accrington and discreetly stay by the sidings. Wouldnt it be fun to think the house was built by the King, to keep his "lady" and child away from the public eye in London. Was told the child was at a later date moved to live in Ireland.

Will find more on my notes on this and post.

Atarah