ISSUE No. 32 AUTUMN/WINTER 2002 The Newsletter of Wigan Heritage Service FREE From the Editor GOODBYE DAWN WELCOME to the latest edition of Past Forward which, AS those of you who are I’m delighted to say, has an regular visitors to or excellent mix of articles on all correspondents with the manner of topics, many by History Shop will already first-time contributors. There have been a know, in September we said number of staff changes goodbye to Dawn recently - Dawn Wadsworth Wadsworth. has moved on after 12 years Dawn joined the service service, as has Claire in 1989 as Social History Templeton, our Technician. Claire has been succeeded Officer, after moving up by Terry Meehan, who has from the Science Museum moved from Haigh Country in London. Being a Park. Dawn will be northern girl anyway she succeeded by a new Heritage fitted in at once, working on Officer, with particular the care and documentation responsibility for Community Outreach & Education; of her collection, hopefully, this new appointee exhibitions and displays at will be in post by the New the Pier and enquiries into Dawn explains a mystery object from the Wigan 2000 Year. This new appointment the social conditions and exhibition reflects the Service’s history of our local area. awareness of the importance of community involvement Exhibitions which sorely missed. replying to family history and interaction - something Dawn has worked on have It was with the opening enquiries of all sorts that which, of course, Past been on subjects as varied of the History Shop in 1992 came in by post, telephone Forward has already been as Rugby League, Wigan that Dawn developed her or email from all corners of instrumental in developing. Men in the Great and other role with which many the globe. In that respect I This is the first Past Second World Wars and The readers will be more know that Dawn had her Forward to be produced on cassette tape, following a Role of Women in Local familiar, as saviour to fans as far afield as successful ‘dry run’ of the last Society; they have been as genealogists all over the Australia and North issue. I must make it clear, macabre as Death Rituals, world studying their Wigan America, and they too will however, that this is intended as light as Christmas roots. She was also very miss her. primarily for those who have Traditions, and as ‘dry’ as influential in the retail area, Dawn was a vital sight problems, and I hope that it will be possible to 750 Years of Local setting up our splendid shop member of the team that distribute these, free of Government! with the help of the established the History charge, to a significant Most recently her work Heritage Assistants. Shop and set the tone for its number of people. Initially, on the Wigan 2000 She will be best future. All the staff here this will be done in exhibition in the Wickham remembered by most would like to thank her for conjunction with the Library Gallery and the 5th visitors as a constant and that, they and I’m sure all Service. My thanks to Making Waves for their support here, Manchesters show upstairs extremely helpful member the visitors who came especially Dave and Peter, in the Taylor Gallery of our excellent team of across her will miss her and and to good friend Colin Bean showed just how officers who man our join with me in wishing her and all those other readers accomplished she had public enquiry desk good luck in her new life in who have helped to make this become in the field. For upstairs. For many years West Yorkshire! venture a success. It’s hard to believe, as I this fact alone she will be she was responsible for P.B. write this just before going on a short ‘mid-term’ break, that it will be nearly Christmas before many readers actually read this. So although it’s Past Forward on tape nearly 10 weeks away, a very Happy Christmas and I AM delighted to announce that this is Bean, an old (in the nicest sense!) friend prosperous New Year to all the first issue of Past Forward which is of the Heritage Service, whose readers of, and contributors also available on cassette tape. These enthusiasm has been infectious! Initially, to, Past Forward. It has been a major success story, and it’s tapes are specifically designed so that the cassettes will be distributed as part thanks to all of you. those with sight problems will still be of the Wigan Library Housebound able to enjoy the magazine. A dry run Service. However, a limited number will was made of the last edition, and this also be available for other readers; COPY DEADLINE proved a huge success, thanks to the these can be obtained from the History Please note that the excellent work done by Making Waves, Shop and other Heritage Service outlets, copy deadline for issue who have been a tremendous help in @ £2 each, or by post at an additional no 33 of Past Forward is bringing this about. Also the various charge of 50p to cover postage and 1 February. readers, with a special mention of Colin packing. All comments and correspondence should be addressed to: Editor, ‘Past Forward’, Cover: I Am A Dog! This delightful picture, depicting the education of a dog and doll, Wigan Heritage Service, Market Suite, comes from a marvellous collection of photographs of Yew Tree Farm, Hindley Green, The Galleries, Wigan WN1 1PX in the early 20th century (see page 6 for more). 2 Full of Christmas Cheer IF you’re looking for Finally, top of the list something out of the for all Past Forward ordinary for your readers is the custom Christmas gifts this year, (and Gifts!) made binder which holds why not try the History 15 issues of your in quality sterling silver. 23 original vintage Shop? We stock a wide favourite magazine. At As usual we have recordings by local tenor range of heritage gifts only £1.50 each (plus a range of Christmas Tom Burke (1890-1969), and publications, as well £1.50 p&p), they are an cards available in packs who for the first time can as general gifts for all economical and and individually. A new be heard without the ages. attractive way to store selection of glass previous distracting New ranges for your precious archive. Christmas decorations sounds which normally Christmas 2002 include a include angels, presents, detract so much handbuilt pedal car in the from early style of a 1939 Classic recordings. The car, with other styles other is entitled A Christmas Stocking, and features our good friend Colin Bean performing a selection of seasonal items. More than that, the recording was actually made recently in the History Shop itself! available to order. For all the tin toy Admirers of Gustav Klimt collectors out there, and Rennie Mackintosh we have six new will find our inspired designs available, all giftware range of vases, at less than £10 storm and candle each. And if lamps irresistible. New addictive, jewellery lines include challenging and fun antique style gem-set is what you’re pieces, marcasite and looking for, then the more modern designs, all Christmas trees, and even Tantrix puzzle is for Tinkerbell! Remember, you. Voted “Best you won’t find these New Game, “Puzzle anywhere else, as we are of the Year” and “Top the only stockists in the Family Game”, it is area! an international best A couple of CD’s/ seller, and has even cassettes are proving been used in schools very popular, with stocks because of its selling fast. One features educational value. N.B. A small selection of our stock is also available from the Local History Service in Leigh Library. From all at Wigan Heritage Service to all readers of Past Forward a Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. 3 MICHAEL FOLLOWS I first met Michael soon find their research is made after he retired in his early MANY people knew Michael Follows. He much easier because of 50’s. He came into the was perhaps most frequently seen in the what Michael has Archives Room in Leigh Archives Room with a large parish register provided. Town Hall to discuss his in front of him, tapping at his laptop His transcriptions, willingness to help make computer, as he transcribed the 19th when properly published, the Leigh parish registers century parish registers of St. Mary’s. His will be even more fully more easily available. I unexpected and early death in July has left appreciated, for they will was at that time already us much saddened. The following is an have a national and transcribing the 18th appreciation of him from a fellow international readership. century Leigh registers for transcriber. They should make a fitting the LPRS, and was fast tribute to a man who approaching the 19th dearly loved his home century with considerable parish clerks turning over those who may never have town and who worked trepidation. Leigh grew so the pages. Having Michael met him or even know of hard to help to make the much at this period that in the Archives Room him. For sooner or later all history and people of the number of entries in made transcribing a real those who are interested in Leigh better known. the registers was daunting pleasure. Not just because their Leigh ancestors will Ken Taylor and I didn’t know whether there was someone to it was possible to finish share the problems with, I FIRST met Michael Follows at a meeting of such a task.