South Ribble was a ‘new’ local authority established in 1974 by the amalgamation of the Walton-Le-Dale and Leyland Urban District Councils and the portion of Preston Rural District Council lying to the south of the River Ribble. Although Walton and Leyland had strong senses of their own heritage, civic provision of a museum service had to start from scratch. In 1977 the authority acquired the building of the ancient Leyland Free Grammar School (1524) for use as an ‘arts centre’. This dilapidated building was restored under the Jobs Creation Scheme, but significant alterations were happily kept to a minimum and most of the structure was left intact. It was initially to be operated by volunteers drawn from interested groups, but after a short time a part-time ‘custodian’ was appointed. Little has changed: the team of 50–60 volunteers continue to provide the staffing of the centre and are a very great asset. Housed snugly in a small, delightful Tudor timber-framed building, the centre provides a monthly programme of art and related exhibitions, and a Saturday morning programme of talks, walks and art demonstrations. The museum element is housed in three small upstairs rooms, and future development of the building is restricted. Of course this need not necessarily be any bad thing. More serious is a lack of storage space which hinders acquisition. These factors govern our aspirations and we aim to be a very good but small museum, and to provide a service in support of our local heritage.