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Melanie leads the history detectives!

A well-respected local historian and author, Melanie Warren has been tasked with compiling the 100 year history of the Thwaites Empire Theatre, to be published as a book at the beginning of 2010, the centenary year and to be workshopped into a community performance involving local schools and groups.

Melanie Warren

Melanie's research work will involve co-ordinating a team of history detective volunteers who will be asked to undertake detailed work in the local history archives.  They will also be trained to collect oral history memories and photographs. It's part of the Our Heritage project funded by the Heritage Lottery to celebrate 100 years of the cinema and theatre at Ewood.

Melanie's background is firmly rooted in the publishing industry.  Some years ago she co-authored two books of well-researched ghost stories, which were broadcast between Hallowe'en and New Year on BBC Radio Lancashire and BBC Radio Bristol.  She also contributed over a dozen articles to a Fylde collection of local history magazines focusing on Blackpool, Thornton-Cleveleys, and Lytham St Annes.  At that time she was also a weekly guest on BBC Radio Lancashire's Saturday morning magazine programme, Something For The Weekend, and often appeared on TV. 

After spending a decade developing her own bookselling business,  Melanie is now a full-time Marketing Manager for a book distribution company, so in addition to her love of writing and local history research, she brings to the 2010 project a wealth of knowledge about the publishing industry. 

Melanie was born and raised in Preston, spent twenty years living in Blackpool, and now makes her home in Lancaster.  She relishes the opportunity to involve herself with a project which entails delving into the past, especially when that past is in her beloved Lancashire.

To find out how to become a history detective volunteer contact the theatre's 2010 team on 01254 685500 or go to the opportunities page

 

 

Release Date:  Wednesday 10 June 2009