WARRINGTON historian Gordon Gandy is celebrating further recognition for his long-running mywarrington website, which has been documenting the town’s history for 21 years while also helping him manage his own mental health.
Warrington historian Gordon Gandy has been awarded the title of Best Community Heritage & Engagement Platform 2026 – North West England, recognising his dedication to preserving and sharing the town’s history.
Gordon, who created the non-commercial mywarrington website 21 years ago, said he was surprised to be nominated again following the success of last year’s award and was delighted to accept the accolade.
The website has grown into a comprehensive online resource covering Warrington’s history, including its transport links, waterways, green spaces, notable people, community events and a detailed historical timeline.
One of its biggest sections, called Downtown, was completed over the past 12 months following many years of research.
It explores the history of individual districts across Warrington through words and pictures, allowing residents to discover more about the areas where they live.
Gordon said one of the most rewarding aspects of the project was the involvement of local residents and former Warringtonians living elsewhere who want to stay connected with their hometown.
The website’s Memory Lane pages provide an opportunity for people to share their memories, while readers have also contributed to articles, including research into the former Warrington and Altrincham railway line.
Part of the old railway route is scheduled for an upgrade as part of plans to improve connections linking Liverpool with Manchester Airport and West Yorkshire via Warrington Bank Quay station.
As a frequent train traveller, Gordon said he would love to see the improvements completed in his lifetime.
Gordon’s commitment to Warrington’s heritage extends well beyond the website. For nine years, he presented his own history programme on Radio Warrington alongside his research assistant and co-presenter, the late Sean Clemo.
The show proved extremely popular with listeners and only came to an end when Gordon took on another community role, helping to run a mental health group following the Covid-19 pandemic.
He has been involved in various community roles over the past 50 years and has plans to add even more material to mywarrington as his research continues.
However, the project also has a deeply personal significance.
Gordon created the website partly to help him cope with lifelong mental health difficulties, and he hopes his experience will encourage others living with depression, anxiety and similar issues to seek support.
He says he continues to experience good and bad days with depression but is grateful for the advice and support he has received from professionals, including the NHS.
Learning coping techniques has helped him manage difficult days, with working on the website providing one of the activities that helps him get through them.
Through his own experiences, Gordon is keen to remind people that support is available and that they do not have to face mental health difficulties alone.
Keeping Warrington’s memories alive
After more than two decades documenting the town, Gordon’s website continues to provide a platform for people to explore Warrington’s past and contribute their own recollections.
The combination of historical research, photographs and contributions from the community has helped build a growing record of the town and its changing neighbourhoods.
Residents and former residents who have memories to share, questions about local history or information that could help with the research are invited to get in touch through the website’s Contact page.
Visit mywarrington.org to explore the website and contribute to preserving Warrington’s heritage for future generations.
