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Born in Leyland in 1912 George Birtill became known as Mr Chorley. He adopted the town as his own and became the town's honorary historian. He worked for the Chorley Guardian for over 30 years and as Editor launched the Leyland Guardian. He was a founder member of the Guild of Newspaper editors (Chairman twice) and a life member of the National Union of Journalists. He became a JP in 1967 and on retirement from the Chorley Guardian in 1977 was elected as Conservative Councillor on Chorley Borough Council. The George Birtill column, Leaves from a Rural Diary, and his numerous books provide a valuable and unique history of the Chorley and Leyland district. Copies of the books are available for loan or reference at many Lancashire libraries. Check the catalogue at Lancashire Library Catalogue Online

His council service ended in his year as Mayor in 1995-6. In 1973 he was awarded the OBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for services to journalism and the preservation of rural England. George was a keen golfer and was Honorary Secretary of Chorley Golf Club for 30 years, its Captain twice and became Life President in 1990. He was a founder member of the Chorley and Leyland Rotary Club and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship. In addition he was Chairman of Chorley Ramblers and the Astley Hall Society.

On his death in 2000 his family kindly deposited his collections of writings, photographs, negatives, slides and glass prints with Lancashire County Council. The images are being preserved digitally by Lancashire Library and Information Service and made available on this website. The other material is being preserved at Lancashire Record Office (Ref: DDX2549).