Tributes as Lytham Hall stalwart dies at 65

Ann Pinder was the first person appointed by Heritage Trust North West (HTNW) after they leased the Hall from Lytham Town Trust back in 1997.

As the Hall’s former custodian and curator, she was one of the key people behind the ambitious £2.4m Heritage Lottery project.

But, tragically, the 65-year-old died in Trinity Hospice last month, shortly after learning Lytham Hall had secured the Lottery cash.

John Miller, chairman of HTNW, said: “She was the very first person we appointed at Lytham Hall and she was there for three and a half years as the full time custodian.

“She was very enthusiastic and then for family reasons she had to give up the post and went part-time, but she carried on conducting tours of the Hall and conducting research into the Clifton family.

“She gave lectures to outside groups and was responsible for the management of the collection at Lytham Hall.

“Ann gave a lot of her spare time to help us and she heard about the bid just before she died. She was very pleased because she helped us enormously with the bid and there’s a lot of knowledge that’s gone with her.

“We are all very sad, it’s tragic.”

A celebration of her life took place at Lytham Hall on Thursday, where Mrs Pinder lived in a cottage in the grounds with her husband, Tony, during her three and a half years as custodian.

A history graduate, she undertook a degree in archives while working at the Hall to help her better understand the history of the Grade 1 listed building.

Alan Turner, chairman of Lytham Town Trust, added: “We all heard with great sadness of Ann’s death. With her devotion to the Hall and her immense knowledge of the history she contributed very considerably to its future.”