Skelmersdale: A New Town was a project that created a new photographic collection of social history of the former new town Skelmersdale, Lancashire.

How long does it take for a town to become a community, how many generations of families does it take to create a place?

These questions framed a discussion with the town, people’s experiences of moving to and living in Skelmersdale during the past 50 years. How the town has changed, how communities have emerged or disappeared?

This project created an online archive and a hardback book called Skelmersdale: A New Town with an introduction written by poet, writer and broadcaster Paul Farley.

Please the view the project website at picturenewtown.org, or to purchase a copy of the book here.