THE history of a local landmark is soon to be uncovered by a new performance in St Helens libraries, as part of the Cultural Hubs events programme.

If you have ever walked across the Steve Prescott Bridge towards Saints’ stadium, you’ll likely have seen a dilapidated, red brick building among the trees and greenery.

Some may wonder what it is, but readers familiar to the Star’s Coffey Time column will tell you it is Cannington Shaw, which in the 19th Century it was part of the largest glass bottle-making factory in the world.

Community group Friends of Cannington Shaw has partnered with St Helens Council’s arts and library services to look back at the building and its heritage with a new performance, ‘A Day in the Life of a Bottlehand’.

The celebrates the lives and stories – some real and some imagined – of the people who worked there centuries past.

Councillor Sue Murphy, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure Services and Libraries, said: “This free event presents a fresh approach to celebrating our heritage, and is especially poignant given St Helens’ 150th anniversary festivities this year.

“Glass production and manufacture is at the root of our local history, so it will be very interesting to see stories of this time and topic brought to life in our libraries.

“Many thanks to the Friends of Cannington Shaw for their hard work on this project, in collaboration with our library and arts services.”

See it for free on Thursday, March 15 in Rainford Library at 2.30pm or Thatto Heath Library at 7pm.

Places may fill up – and the show at Garswood Library has sold out already. Please book yours online at www.culturalhubs.eventbrite.co.uk.

See the website for more, or pick up a brochure in any St Helens library.

Cultural Hubs is delivered by St Helens Council’s Library Service and funded through The National Lottery distributed through Arts Council England.