Issue No. 40 July – November 2005 Produced by Wigan Heritage Service FREE THIS edition of Past Forward is Not forgetting Andrew Busby of the significant in two ways. Firstly, we have Trust’s IT section, for his help in getting reached the milestone of no. 40, which Farewell Past Forward on the internet - and I find absolutely amazing – it certainly doesn’t it look great! does not seem 14 years since the from the Then there are the many contributors appearance of no. 1, way back in 1991. to the magazine. One of the greatest Today, the magazine has a worldwide sources of pride and satisfaction for me circulation of 10,000, and is also Editor is that Past Forward has enabled so available on cassette tape and now the many readers, not just locally, or even internet. In saying goodbye, I am conscious nationally, but internationally, to put pen Time certainly marches on, which that I have so many people to thank for to paper and write an article which they brings me onto a personal note – this their help and support on what has would probably never otherwise have will be my last issue as Editor of Past been such an exciting and successful done. It is always dangerous, and even Forward. An opportunity has arisen for adventure. Where do I begin? Perhaps invidious, to single out individuals, but me to take early retirement (very early, with my good friend Alan Roby, who one person I would like to mention in of course!). Not that that is any bad shared my vision back in 1991 for a particular is Irene Roberts, whose thing for the magazine. I have had the local history newsletter; Alan at the time delightfully unique style of writing has pleasure and privilege to edit it from the had a small printing business, and thus captivated so many; and there is further very beginning, and while it has began Past Forward – a humble eight evidence of Irene’s talents, and of how unquestionably proved an outstanding page effort which we cobbled together, much they are appreciated, in this issue. success – far in excess of my wildest more in hope than anything else. Other regular and faithful contributors dreams – that is not to say that it will Little did we know what we were include Ernie Taberner (long-standing not benefit from a change in direction. beginning! Within only a few weeks of readers will remember his splendid ‘I During recent discussions with staff publication, I had received more than Remember When ……’ articles), Harold about the future direction of the enough contributions for the next issue. Smith, Neil Cain, Fred Holcroft, Harold Heritage Service in general, it was very And since then, I have always been Knowles (see p3 for a tribute to Harold), noticeable that the concern which was spoilt for choice for material for every James Fairhurst and, of course, Gerald raised most of all was for the future of single issue, and the magazine has Rickards, whose centrespreads have Past Forward. The staff, as well as you grown and grown, from that humble been a regular feature for many issues. the readers, care passionately about it eight pages to the present 44! To them, and the many, many others – they are proud of it, and see it as So my sincere thanks to Alan for his whom I do not have space to mention, something unique to Wigan. They are help and support in these early days my sincere thanks for helping to make determined that it will continue, and I and indeed over many issues, until this venture so exciting and successful. can assure all readers that it will, under personal commitments meant he could Finally, my thanks to all the Heritage the able guidance of a small editorial no longer devote the time needed. Service staff for their help and support. team from the Heritage Service. Douglas Printers in Wigan, who had All of them, in different ways, have had I’ve lost count how many favourable already worked on the production of the an important part to play in the success comments have been made about the magazine, then became increasingly of Past Forward. magazine (these were summarised in involved, and thus began an excellent I have many happy memories of my the last issue). The only criticism, in working relationship over recent years time with Wigan Heritage Service. The fact, has been that there are only three with Steve and Cyril, two of the most History Shop, for example, was, and still issues a year! How often has the pleasant and co-operative people it has is, an exciting development with lots of comment been made, “how I wish my been my pleasure to work with. potential; also the Parish Map, the local service had such a publication”. A Thanks also to Mitchell & Wright of Wickham story, Wigan’s 750th Charter poem has even been written in praise of Southport who have printed most issues celebrations - and all of these have Past Forward! (see p27). It has brought of the magazine, and made a featured prominently in Past Forward. families and friends together from all marvellous job of it too. My thanks in But it is the magazine itself which I over the world, even reuniting old war particular to Keith Mitchell for all his would like to think of as my legacy. comrades who had not seen each other kindness and support. Thanks to all those who have joined for over half a century. For the past few years, Past Forward me on this memorable adventure. has also been available on tape for the Please give Carole, my successor as COPY DEADLINE visually impaired. For help with this head of the Heritage Service, and the Please note that the copy service, I am indebted to a splendid new editorial team, all the friendship deadline for issue no 41 group of people at ‘Making Waves and support you have given me - that of Past Forward is Radio’ in Leigh, led by Dave Rigby, one way Past Forward, and the Heritage 16 September 2005. of the bravest people it has been my Service, will continue to go from privilege to know and to work with. strength to strength. All comments and correspondence should be addressed to: Editor, ‘Past Forward’, Cover: This photograph has baffled me for many years. It appeared way back in History Shop, Library Street, issue 10, on the ‘Who? Where? page, when any suggestions received were tentative, Wigan WN1 1NU Email: [email protected] to say the least. So I thought, for my last issue, I would try again - can any reader identify this intriguing photograph? Ed. 2 Harold Knowles 1926 - 2005 IT IS with great sadness that I have to inform readers several similar roles in of my father’s sudden death in March this year. He different UDCs, until in had written several articles for Past Forward about 1960, he secured one of his time as a young boy in Ashton-in-Makerfield. On his ultimate goals, behalf of my family, I would like to write a short Engineer and Surveyor article in his honour. and Water Engineer of Harold Knowles was born on 18 September 1926 in Standish UDC. On local Ashton-in-Makerfield, the first child of Harry and government Lilian Knowles. From what my father told me he reorganisation in 1974, he grew up to be quite an independent sort of boy, became Assistant Director of Works at Stockport always willing to work hard, taking on odd jobs, MBC. He retired in 1980. such as a delivery boy for one of the local grocers During his retirement my father enjoyed and helping his Auntie Maggie collect payment for swimming and listening to brass band music, and her window cleaning round. both he and my mother also took great advantage of He attended the British School situated on Wigan being able to go on holiday several times a year! He Road in the town centre of Ashton-in-Makerfield, certainly enjoyed his four granddaughters. from where he passed his 11-plus and went on to His death earlier this year from a stroke was very Ashton Grammar School. sudden and was a shock to the whole family. As we My father left Ashton Grammar in the summer of knew how much his background and early years in 1943 and started work as an articled pupil with Mr A Ashton meant to him, his funeral took place at St K Dennis, Engineer and Surveyor to Ashton-in- Thomas’s Church, Ashton-in-Makerfield and his Makerfied Urban District Council. However, about ashes are buried in the lower graveyard of the two years later he was ‘called up’ into the army, and church. went into the Royal Engineers. (I know from some I am immensely proud of what my father achieved; paperwork I recently found, that my father’s next it must have taken great guts and determination to articles for Past Forward were to be about his time get where he did in his career, especially in his early in the army). years, when life was hard there was not much After being demobbed in 1948 my father found a money about. The family miss him terribly but our job as Assistant Engineer in the Borough of memories of him will be with us forever. Farnworth. During the next ten years or so he had Gillian Drummond I FELL under the spell of Chat Moss follow, for I concluded that Conan on my very first journey over it from Murder On The Doyle must have made the journey Kenyon Junction to Manchester himself sometime and this pleased Exchange.