ISSUE No. 23 AUTUMN/WINTER 1999

The Newsletter of Wigan Heritage Service FREE From the Editor Bah Humbug! NewsNews So here it is - the last Past Forward of 1999.....and the It’s a Dickens of a job picking that century.....and the Millennium! fromfrom thethe In comparison a decade does perfect Christmas gift, so try the not seem long, but in that time History Shop’s range for Christmas Past Forward has proved to be ‘99. Our pewter selection for this Archives an outstanding success. Archives Letters in this special issue year includes pin cushions, once again bear eloquent pomanders, miniature clocks in art AS SOME of our regular visitors testimony to its popularity, deco, art nouveau and Egyptian will know our Archivist Nicholas value and influence. Nearly 10 style, and irresistible miniature Webb moved on a couple of years ago no one could have months ago. As a result the usual begun to predict its success pewter replicas of Victorian and roundup of donations and new not just locally but nationally Edwardian pull-a-long toys. We acquisitions to the archive and even internationally. My have a wide range of traditional collection does not appear this thanks to all contributors, wooden toys, from stocking fillers (many of whom have done so time. regularly almost from day one), such as skipping ropes and pick-up- Over the past months we have designers and printers, and sticks to automated wooden money tried to maintain the service from Heritage Service staff - all far boxes. For something out of the the Archive search room. Thanks too many to mention - who ordinary how about a replica go to our staff Dave and Steph, and have played a part in this to our colleague from the achievement. classical sleeping lion sculpture, or Education Department, Linda Sadly, one such regular a delicate dandelion paperweight? Mogg for keeping the service contributor, Archivist Nicholas To celebrate the Millennium we Webb, has written his last going. article for Past Forward. After have commissioned a woven At the time of going to press 14 years of splendid service, calendar with a view of All Saints we are pleased to announce the Nicholas has decided to move Church, available in a green or recruitment of a new Heritage on, into the private sector, and cream mount; its a perfect keepsake Officer (Archives) Joanne Revill. a post in Barclays Bank. A Joanne comes from Wrexham and warm welcome to his and is ideal for posting to friends and has recently completed her successor, Joanne Revill, who relatives at home or abroad. We only Archive Administration training at I’m sure will be continuing the have limited numbers so be sure to tradition of News from the the Liverpool University Centre Archives. get one before stocks run out. for Archive Studies. We would I am confident that Past like to welcome her to Wigan and Forward will continue to go wish her every success in her new from strength to strength in the post next Millennium - a momentous event which Nicholas was, of course, a Wigan Heritage Service is regular contributor to Past certainly doing its bit to Forward, and by way of final commemorate. Full details of farewell to him the remainder of the History Shop’s exciting new the News from the Archives section People’s Show, for example, will feature the Roy Cafe, the last can be found on p16. I myself, article submitted by him for the in my new role of Millennium Festival Co-ordinator, have magazine. (See page opposite). been putting together an exciting package of events, beginning around Easter 2000, based on the Parish Map, A HERITAGE which is definitely heading for Guinness Book of Records PHOTOGRAPH proportions - full details in the FOR next Past Forward. As Christmas rapidly CHRISTMAS approaches, don’t forget the Many readers rely on the History Shop for that special Heritage Service’s splendid Christmas - or Millennium - gift. Although it seems strange as I photographic collection for write this in mid-October, may Christmas presents - I take this opportunity to be one photographs can be of the first to wish all readers supplied in various sizes, of Past Forward, near and far, framed or unframed, at a Very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year, competitive prices. To Century.....and Millennium. avoid disappointment due to the Christmas rush, All comments and however, please make sure correspondence should that your order is placed no be addressed to: later than the beginning of Editor, ‘Past Forward’, Actual size: 140mm x 283mm December. Wigan Heritage Service, Market Suite, The Galleries, Cover: Staff of The Roy Cafe, Wigan, assembled outside the cafe on the occasion of the Wigan WN1 1PX Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, 1937. (See article on opposite page). 2 THIS is the last contribution *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+

*+*+*+*+*+ to Past Forward made by Nicholas Webb (written under his latest pseudonym!) before A LOST EATING HOUSE: his departure for pastures new (see page opposite).

THE fast food chains and greasy spoon cafes are now such an The Roy Cafe

accepted feature of our towns that *+*+*+*+*+ it must be difficult for younger *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ readers to imagine life without them. But at one time there was a range of pleasant tea rooms and restaurants in every English town where one could relax after business or shopping, take a fair companion for a cosy chat, or celebrate a minor occasion in reasonably civilised surroundings. Older Wiganers who regret the passing of these establishments where one could order a pot of tea or a hot lunch, and be served by charming waitresses in frilly aprons, may remember The Roy Cafe, illustrated here. This was situated at the corner of Marsden Street and Hope Street, overlooking Market Square. The proprietors were originally Richard and J.R. Gorner, whose entry in the 1938 Directory of Wigan advertised ‘luncheons, teas, suppers, wedding parties etc.... open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.’ The interior photograph of The Roy puts one in mind of the Kardomah Cafes which The Roy Cafe decorated for the Coronation in 1937. To the left is ‘The Creche’, a featured in films of the period, baby clothes shop in Marsden Street. notably David Lean’s Brief Encounter (1944) based on Noel Coward’s play Still Life, as the scene of the first tryst between Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson. The Gorner family seems to have started catering in this way during the early 1900’s. Jacob Gorner’s dining rooms at 17 Market Arcade were advertised from at least 1909 onwards. The business was entered under Richard’s name in the 1920’s, and from the 1950’s was described as a cafe; at least one regular user of Wigan Archives Service has recalled his nostalgic affection for Gorner’s cafe in ‘The Little Arcade’ which existed there until the early 1970’s. The Roy Cafe, meanwhile, changed hands in the late ‘50’s but continued to operate under that name until about 1962. The whole area was demolished in the 1980’s to make way for The Galleries. These photographs, which prompted the article, were kindly donated by Mr. Hulme from the Isle of Man. Interior. The view from the windows took in the Market Hall and Square (now ‘Old Parchment’ occupied by The Galleries) and Conroy Brothers’ wholesale fruit business. 3 This fascinating article on the development of Ince from early times has been submitted by Past Forward reader Neil Cain IT HAPPENED IN INCE EVERY August in my went on there, how had it grown Road). Could this be the derivation around Top Lock and down to what childhood years my parents from its original state and how had of Higher and Lower Ince? The are now called Rabbit Rocks. and I left home in West a sense of community developed? Higher Lane became the turnpike As the early years of the 19th London to visit my Ten years later I sit here hoping to and hence Ince Bar was just that - century dawned so came the one grandfather in Holt Street, share with Past Forward readers the payment barrier where single element that was to set Ince Ince. Grandfather Cain had some of my findings and maybe a travellers paid to undertake the on the course that would change feeling of a by-gone age. next stage along the road. the face of the area beyond been born in Caroline Street, During the period from 1754 to recognition. The Ince that readers behind Manchester Road, just How did Ince get its name? 1757 extensive drainage and remember had been born - the before Christmas 1883, and on repairs were undertaken to midwife was the Leeds and his mother’s side claimed an Consider Ince Brook and the Mosses of Ince. No great leap of improve the roads in Ince. The Ince Liverpool Canal. association with Ince going imagination then to accept that rate books show the workmen were back to the 18th century. prior to modern drainage Ince was granted 1s.6d. (7 1/2p) to spend on Cannel to the Canal Grandfather died in 1966, very marshy. One theory is that Saturday nights, guess how? Ale Take a walk up the canal from having lived his entire life Ince derived its name from the was an all important element in Rose Bridge towards Top Lock and within a mile of his birthplace, Saxon word “Innius” meaning life. Once again the rate books you will see, in a number of the and was known to a number land by the water. Another theory show that in 1754/55 the Overseer locks, masonry with the date stamp of readers of Past Forward as is that it was derived from the for the Poor spent “fourpence for 1816. This was the year that the proprietor of Cain’s Pie Shop, Celtic word “Ynys”, found today salve for James Whittle’s man’s leg canal was opened around Ince thus and a pint of ale”. No doubt the Belle Green Lane. in Welsh place names. Once again improving transport beyond theory was that if one ‘pain killer’ measure. Within a few years the Imagine my shock when the term would indicate an island didn’t work the other would! area along the canal between returning to Ince in 1989 I within an area of marsh, or The 18th century entries in the Britannia and Rose Bridge was discovered most of my childhood wetland. The overall picture of rate books are nothing if not varied dotted with pits. Speculators recollections had disappeared. Ince in early times would be one of a very rural place with the focal - in 1770 we find this entry: “In moved into the area leasing land Gone were the long lines of seeking out Richard Lyon and points being the various houses of from the old Ince families - terraced housing and shops along keeping him prisoner until he could the landowners - Ince Hall, New Andertons, Walmesleys and Manchester Road, the side streets arrange for his marrying Mary Hall, Ince Old Hall, the Hall of Gerards, and opening up new pits and corner pubs, railway bridges, Cheetham”. along the line of the Springs factory chimneys, and where were Ince and the 14th century Peel By 1750 coal and cannel Hall near Rose Bridge. Legend Branch Railway opened in 1838. the slag tips? Where they still mining were taking place in the Soon Ince would be famous for existed they were levelled and has it that it was here in 1505 that area around Ince, albeit on a a young daughter of the Hall’s having the greatest number of pits grassed over, or planted with trees. relatively small scale when per square mile of anywhere in A few surviving buildings, such as owner met her death by drowning compared with the following in the moat. Great Britain. The coal pits in the the Engineers Arms, the Manley century. The hard labour and angle of Warrington Road and Ince Hotel and the Squirrel, only danger associated with early Green Lane became known as magnified the disappearance of the A Rural Scene mining are well documented, but Bottom Place, those behind St. Cases, Cheetham’s Grocery, Saint Life must have gone on pretty there were moments of relief for William’s Church as Middle Place, Mary’s Church etc. much the same for centuries; Ince the miners. During the latter half and hence more latterly the I think it must have been this had no church and came under of the 18th century the Kirkless Kirkless Works became Top Place. jolting of my memory banks that Wigan Parish, so Sunday worship Pits accounts show that 11 Miners from all over England, started the desire to know about involved a walk along the Higher cannellers received sixpence Ireland, Scotland and Wales 1 Ince. What had it been like, perhaps Lane (later Manchester Road), or (2 /2p) to spend at Wigan Fair. The arrived to create the mix of when Grandad was born; what the Lower Lane (Warrington Kirkless Pits covered the area nationalities that gave Ince, and on a wider front Wigan and Lancashire, its unique colour and customs. Don’t Forget Cotton Ince had long had associations with textiles - medieval records show a fulling mill at Lorrigton Mill, Ince. Was this Clarington in later years? By the early 1800’s the embryonic factory system had appeared in a small factory on the east side of Ince which was the first to install steam power utilising the brook that flowed by Petticoat Lane. The mill, however, was derelict by 1824/25. Marriage certificates of the late 1830’s and 1840’s often show “cotton weaver” as the occupation of the females of Ince, and the tradition of home weaving continued here until a much later date than in other parts of Lancashire. Eventually the large The rural nature of 18th century Ince can be seen in this view of Ince Hall. ➯ 4 mills such as the Empress Mill Saturday February 17 1894 - a factory of Darlington Street East, 1887, shows the harshness of life came along to add another piece “The storm which swept with such who was injured whilst pulling at the time; this time, however, the to the Ince jigsaw. fury over the whole of England on down an engine house at Bottom outcome appears to have been Sunday, left Wigan and the district Place Colliery and died shortly happier than usual. The Stage is Set with many marks of its violence. afterward. Walter Rutter said he “A man and his wife named Coal, cotton, the railways and Pedestrians in the daytime were was engaged by the deceased to George Minsher were passing canals - it was boom time in Ince scarcely able to maintain their assist in pulling down the engine through Ince between 2.30 and and just north, in Kirkless, where balance in the street and blown-in house at Bottom Place Colliery. At 3.30 on Saturday morning and on the huge ironworks complex windows and razed palisades were nine o’clock on Thursday morning, arriving in Manchester road, near known as Top Place opened in evidence of the strength of a he was going on with his work, and the corner with Pickup Street, the 1858, providing many jobs and yet hurricane almost unprecedented in heard a crunch. Witness shouted poor woman, who was heavily another influx from all corners of recent years. The whole of the “run” and the deceased and others pregnant, could go no further. the British Isles. This was the frontage of Mr. E. Bolton’s shop at did so, but Wardle fell and was Police Constable Banes, who was world my grandfather was born Rose Bridge, Ince, succumbed to the caught by the falling house. The in the vicinity at the time, into, a world full of toil and tragedy storm, the street being strewn with building was a very old one.” ascertained the cause of her but also humour, novelty, pinafores and other drapery ware.” Perhaps the greatest sadness of distress and called upon Mrs. neighbourliness, and sometimes The weather was no less severe the period was that of infant Crompton who was up at the time, the absolutely bizarre. the following year as the following mortality. An especially tragic case to give assistance. He then went to extract concerning the Moss Side occurred in 1887: inform Mr. Simm, relieving officer The Influence of Coal works, Lower Ince shows: “An inquest was held at the who went to the scene and on his One has only to look at the “The severe weather of the Walmsley Arms Hotel, Higher Ince, arrival they found the father 1891 census for Ince to appreciate past few days has added greatly to into the death of a little boy named walking about with the child under just how many men were engaged the distress of those who find James Hostler who met his death his coat. After treatment, Mr. Simm in working in the pits, either as themselves in the unfortunate by being run over by a London and consequently removed the mother miners, or in ancillary jobs, such position this winter of being North Western Railway company and child in Mr. James Walker’s as lamp cleaners, labourers or destitute of the means of existence. “lurry”. A witness said he was conveyance to the Workhouse.” weighmen. Strikes, or short-time In Ince, among the iron workers, standing close by the Fox Inn at working, led to tension and often grim want stares many a family in about 3 o’clock when he saw a The Naughty Nineties violence as reports of the 1893 coal the face, and it is no exaggeration wagon drawn by one horse going The following two accounts strike indicate. The following is to say that some are on the verge up Manchester Road. A fife and are included as they show the taken from the Wigan Observer of of starvation, owing to the closing drum band was standing by playing. breadth of the work the Police were 8 November 1893: of the works of the Pearson and When the horse was about 40 yards called upon to cover. “At Wigan County Court on Knowles Coal and Iron Co.” off the band it took fright and kept Saturday August 2 1890 - “In Friday meanwhile six Ince colliers Ince was no stranger to severe going. The driver tried to pull it up Victoria Street, Ince at 7.00 a.m. - Atherton, Brown, Kearsley, weather. A storm in October 1875 but could not, although holding the last Saturday, a man who earlier Charnock, Ellison and Fagan - had caused considerable damage to horse by the head. The driver turned had been seen climbing up the were charged with unlawfully and property, and in July the following the horse into Brook Street where gable end of a house, was found maliciously, by the explosion of year a great flood occurred after the children were, amongst whom dead in an entry. A police constable gunpowder, doing damage to a two days of torrential rain. The was the deceased. The child tried found in the deceased’s pocket two dwelling house some persons road at Britannia Bridge was under to run away but fell and the wheel dollar notes, a railway ticket from being therein. When spoken to by four feet of water, but it is, as they went over him and killed him.” Liverpool to Glasgow and a pawn the police the prisoners had say, “an ill wind that blows nobody ticket from New Jersey City. Later admitted making a cannon from a any good”. Enterprising locals Lives are Saved on, Dr. T. Brayton recorded a piece of iron pipe that night, charged one penny to carry Death was obviously a verdict of death by natural causes, ramming it with powder and fuse travellers through the water! As if common place occurrence in those due to consumption.” and letting it off under the inn this wasn’t enough in April 1889 times but ones in a while an act of From July 1894 - “A windows.” the Leeds and Liverpool canal bravery in saving life stands in stark disgraceful scene took place at Ince During the strike police had burst its banks draining the canal contrast to sadder events. The on Saturday last. While the United charged a crowd of colliers at the dry. Its legacy? Pearson’s Flash. following was reported in February Nonconformist scholars were Moss Pits after stone throwing had 1893 when Ralph Sutcliffe the lock preceding down Manchester Road, injured constables. At Ince Hall Pit Lives are Lost keeper at Higher Ince heard the engine driver in charge of one 200 police made a charge and, The monument in Ince screams: of the tram cars persistently refused according to reports, “large Cemetery is testimony to the tragic “Scantily-clad though he was, to stop the car, and actually went numbers of police and civilians can events at the Moss Pits in 1871 he caught hold of a keb and ran to so far as to run part way through show injuries as a result of the when 70 local men and boys were the canal, where he found a man their ranks. Even more astonishing, disturbances”. killed in violent explosions and a woman in the water. The man an inspector belonging to the The strike led to much underground. Prior to this, in 1853 was clinging to the bank, but the company was present urging the hardship amongst mining families and 1854, two explosions in the woman had already gone under engineman on. As the scholars only and the following year the work of Arley Mine, between Britannia and twice, and Sutcliffe managed to have their procession once a year Isaac Lawrence in helping these Rose Bridges, claimed 147 lives. catch her with the keb, and hauled and parents go to trouble and families was recognised: After the latter explosion, which her out rendering assistance to the expense making their little ones look Saturday November 11 1894 incidentally claimed the lives of 20 man immediately afterwards. The so attractive, the directors of the “On Monday evening at the Royal boys under 15 years old, the yard girl was taken to Sutcliffe’s cottage tramway should see that this thing Hotel, Ince, a number of the and outhouses at the Navigation and artificial respiration was does not happen again.” principal residents of Higher Ince Inn were used as a temporary adopted. Dr. O’Donnell later gathered together to present Mr. mortuary. Such was the loss of life attending to her. It appears that Animal Magic Isaac Wilson Lawrence with a that there were insufficient funeral when the couple walked into the The following advertisement testimonial in recognition of his biers, and hand barrows had to basin, they were proceeding was placed by my great uncle and generosity to the colliers and their carry the coffins. towards Wigan along the canal raises a number of questions. Was families during the latter part of Whilst these events are the most bank. The lights from the iron works the appearance of a swan in Ince last year.” notable cases of loss of life due to suddenly dropped and they found such a rare thing that it warranted mining accidents, deaths around the themselves in such darkness that the advert? Was it a way of making Water Water Everywhere pits were common place as the they fell into the water. Sutcliffe had a few bob? Did my ancestor The distress of the period was following reports show: already saved ten lives from the believe all swans had to have increased due to awful weather December 21, 1897 - “An canal and has received numerous owners? So from the Wigan which affected the homes, inquest was held at the Infirmary decorations and acknowledgements Observer in November 1877: movement, employment and on Friday, touching the death of of his bravery.” general well being of Ince residents. John Wardle (45) an overlooker in Another report, dating from Continued on page 6 5 IT HAPPENED IN INCE ––––– Continued from page 5

“Notice: A fine swan caught on Thursday evening last on Amberswood common. The owner can have the same on describing it and paying expenses by applying to Christopher Higham, Star Inn, Amberswood Common, Ince.” How the claimant’s description of the swan would have marked it as his is not known! Perhaps one of the most unexpected claims to fame that Ince may extend concerns the Duke of Albany. Locals will no doubt be familiar with associations with the Earls of Crawford and Late 19th century Ince. Warrington Lane looking towards Britannia Bridge from the Wigan Balcarres, or perhaps the Duke of Bridgewater, but the Duke of boundary. Albany? All is revealed in this report from April 1895: arrange for a general holiday on evening, these genial spirits, after game now became slow and “A valuable St. Bernard dog this august occasion? I have good getting as much beer as they uninteresting, it requiring two belonging to Mr. H. Fairhurst, authority for saying that triumphal could, adjourned to the canal men to kick the ball at the same Ince, named “The Duke of Albany arches, festoons and banners etc., where the “Mayor” made a time, to make any impression I”, reputed to be the largest dog in will form part of the street plunge into the canal. He was upon it. The second ball then the world, dropped down dead at decorations of the parish and that followed by four of his associates, went into the lodge and hostilities his master’s feet on Sunday last. He the procession will far surpass last three of whom got safely across were suspended until they got it but the fourth, Alfred Hindley, was simply dropped dead! The dog had year’s. The profit will go towards out. Which was done by throwing drowned, notwithstanding the won 13 first prizes and five specials the much needed new school bottles, bricks and salmon tins attempts of several of his under the most prominent judges. church at Belle Green. It is the (taken from the ground) at it! The companions to save him.” In fact, the animal won laurels only great festive day when Nondescripts then scored, but Finally for those readers who through a miscalculation on their wherever shown, and it is claimed persons may witness a procession will shortly be attending the new part, (their fullback pluckily but that England had not its equal.” and ceremony the like of which J.J.B. Stadium as supporters of rashly attempting to clear the ball The final animal entry is can only be seen in distant parts of England”. Wigan RLFC and Wigan Athletic, by himself) Ince equalised. The offensive in more ways than one. We have seen from various the following will serve to remind referee by the way, had dispensed In October, 1873 a man was accounts so far that tragedy and you that it is always the other lot almost entirely with such a minor reported to the authorities for humour were often only thinly who have a ropey pitch! article as a whistle and claims for roasting dog carcasses on divided. One instance of the two Saturday March 3 1894 - Our hands passed unnoticed. On Amberswood common causing combining comes in the case of local soccer side, the Wigan resumption of play, the “an injurious stench”. “The Mayor of Ince”. This Nondescripts have played on Nondescripts tried hard but shots account, however, comes from the some bad grounds in their time, which should have scored were Ancient Games and Customs Wigan Observer for 6 August, but the one on which they played stopped by the ball going into the Recently the Wigan World 1887: the Ince Amateurs on Saturday not lodges in front of the goals, the page of the Wigan Observer has “For many years it has been only takes the cake, but annexes ball being got out with the aid of appealed to readers for the custom to choose a the entire bakery as well. To a touch-kick. The Nondescripts information concerning the old “gentleman” to officiate as begin with, it was fully 40 yards regret to state that the Amateurs miners’ game of piggy.* Back in “Mayor” of Ince for the year short of the usual length. There then lost their temper, one of them 1885 no such appeal would have ensuing. The custom originated was a ditch at one end, and a in particular - a bear of a fellow been necessary, as can be seen by over half a century ago, and from large lodge at the other, and - pushing the right wing half back the following from March 1885: an innocent practice it has several small lodges on the in the face, fouling the centre and “The Piggy Nuisance - James developed into a drunken riot. ground itself - one right in front riding on the left wings back. The Farrell, a youth, was summoned Immediately after the of the goal. There were deep Nondescripts presented a sad and for playing piggy in the field choosing of the “Mayor” the men, ridges running across the field painful sight as they left the belonging to Mr. T.M. Percy at who join in the ceremony, put “his which were filled with rank, slimy ground bespattered to the eyes Ince, doing damage to the grass worship” in a barrow and take mud and, the depth of which they with mud and wet to the skin. growing therein.” him to the public houses in the cannot state, as their players They are glad though that for the A few years before, in 1878 township where they demand were fortunately dragged out return match, they can offer Ince the crowning of the May Queen drink, and, if it is not supplied, use before they got to the bottom of a decent ground, a friendly game occasioned great interest. A abusive language. it. It is with great pleasure that and a referee with a whistle.” correspondent writes: “A great This year a man by the name they note the Ince committee Through the ups and downs demonstration is to take place at of James Yates of Caroline Street have ordered some life-buoys. of life in Ince, there was always Ince on Wednesday next, the 1st was chosen for the “honoured Three goals into the game, the sport but maybe not as we know May. The Queen of the May is to position”. One of the duties of ball was kicked clean into the it; or have we just gone soft? be crowned in the presence, it is which is to undergo the process middle of the lodge. Another ball The author wishes to thank anticipated, of no fewer than of ducking in the canal. Whatever - which was not a stranger to the the Editor of the Wigan Observer 10,000 persons. Will the the “Mayor” does, those with him lodge, as its weight would testify for permission to quote from managers and employers kindly follow suit, and on Tuesday - was brought into play. The reports of the time. 6 *See also pp 18, 22 Ed. To commemorate 150 years since the death of prolific letter writer Ellen Weeton, Alan Roby continues with some of Miss Weeton’s Liverpool experiences. Now in her prime, it was to be a period of discovery, excitement and also disappointment.

as much proportionate is astonishing! It would almost ignorance as any little village appear as if ignorance was ELLEN WEETON in England, where perhaps the taught, as if it were something curate is the only intelligent to boast of . . .” (1776-1849) man in it. How astonished am Miss Weeton was received I daily to find so many more warmly by the Chorley family GOVERNESS ignorant than myself, so few who begged her to stay the more knowing. . .Here, not one winter before seeking in ten can speak their native lodgings elsewhere. She was Pastures new language tolerably; not more indeed most comfortable than one in twenty correctly; there, but Miss Chorley soon AFTER a day’s journey consequent release from the and of these last, scarce one proved to be something of a by canal ‘packet’ Miss torpid state to which Winter tenth can boast any real snob and not a loyal friend. On Weeton arrived in the necessarily reduces me . . . But literary acquirement than that one occasion Miss Chorley why talk to you of the pleasures of their grammar. I thought had apparently ridiculed one bustling borough of of Spring? Who, living in a myself very ignorant when I of Miss Weeton’s letters to her Liverpool towards the town, know comparatively little came here, expecting to find so and had showed it to a large end of August 1808. difference between one season many wise, so many learned - party at dinner in Warrington. At the beginning of the and another. I find them not . . .The people Although generally kind 19th century Liverpool was “The simplicity of the here do not seize the Mrs. Chorley was sometimes in its ascendancy, benefiting peasantry is soon discovered to opportunities of improvement very rude and showing a flash from the prosperity created be tiresome ignorance; and that so frequently occur - of bad temper. This by the 18th century African their wisdom little better than which they must almost slave trade. With the trade’s cunning. . . The intelligent wilfully reject. Their ignorance Continued on page 8 abolition in 1807 came new beings I meet with in a large society delight me opportunities through trade beyond measure, but the in bringing linen yarn from noise of the crowd Ireland and cotton from the distracts me. The American south for beautiful buildings, fine Lancashire’s expanding open streets, and elegant mills. equipages excite The population of 5,000 in admiration; yet, when 1700 had risen to 85,000 by the novelty wears off, I 1801 and was still rapidly wish for a more frequent rising. It was to this up and sight of fields, groves, coming vibrant seaport that hills and vales. . .” Miss Weeton arrived in a combination of excitement, Big tempered with some disappointment trepidation. Armed with a mental After living in picture of what Liverpool Liverpool for a few would be like she made her months a big way to the Dale Street home of disappointment, not Mr. and Mrs. Chorley and their previously anticipated, daughter. She realised there became obvious: would, of course, be some “When I came to disadvantages. In a letter from Liverpool I expected to Upholland to her Liverpool have found it filled with friend, Miss Chorley, earlier in intelligent beings, the year she said: imagining knowledge to be so generally “. . . how delighted I feel as Castle Street, Liverpool, 1784. The street’s appearance would have each day passes on at the diffused. I begin to changed little by 1809, when Miss Weeton and Miss Winkley drank approach of Spring; at my discover that it contains tea together at Mr. Nevitt’s bookshop. 7 Weeton could enter the water old lady got in much about the Darwen Bank, near Preston ELLEN WEETON for bathing from her door. The same time, accompanied by and had also taken a seven (1776-1849) approach to and from almost as nice a young one; year lease on Dove’s Nest, “a GOVERNESS Liverpool was by paths both of respectable charming seat”, at Low- Pastures new through the fields. appearance. The old one had wood, near Ambleside, ––––– Miss Weeton lodged at rather an ill-tempered look, Westmorland. He then Continued from page 7 Beacon’s Gutter for just 12 but fortunately she was very advertised for a governess to months, then removed to new deaf, so she could not often be undertake the joint education characteristic was also very lodgings as a paying guest with put out of her way by what she of his wife and the child of evident in her daughter. In a the Winkley family at their heard. A clergyman sailed with his first marriage. Pedder’s lengthy letter to her brother in home and shop, 10 Princes us five or six miles; he had that age at this time was about 34 December 1808, Miss Weeton Street, Liverpool. The family waif-like keenness in his eyes, and his wife 17. said of Miss Chorley: lived frugally “keeping no as if he knew which was the On requesting what salary “Unfortunately her servants”. best method of taking tithe.” Miss Weeton expected, daughter inherits all her All in all Miss Weeton boldly she answered: “Thirty * * * * mother’s violence of temper, enjoyed her months of leisure guineas”. Pedder agreed and without her strength of intellect on Merseyside. The letters she Anonymous she was engaged. or goodness of heart; for if she wrote from there are largely advertiser After less than one had either she would not insult witty and full of fun. She was month’s stay with the the dependant, or tyrannise slowly recovering from It was whilst drinking tea Winkley family, Miss Weeton over the weak, without any drudgery of her Upholland with Miss Winkley, at Mr. left Liverpool by stage coach intermission. I am no years in doing and seeing new Nevitt’s, a bookseller, in on 12 December 1809. She dependant, thank God for it! things and meeting more Castle Street and where they proceeded via Ormskirk to Yet she treats me as such daily people. In July 1809, here were later joined by Mrs. Walton, near Preston, where and almost hourly insulting me. cousin Henry Latham visited Winkley, that Mrs. Winkley she stayed the night at the And in so gross a manner! I her and together they went to mentioned she had seen a home of Mr. Barton (a friend have been under great the Theatre Royal, Williamson newspaper advertisement for of Mr. Pedder). The following obligation to her; but she has Square, to see Sarah Siddons a governess. On making morning, accompanied by no firm principles. I have play Lady Macbeth. When she further enquiries, Miss Mr. Barton, she caught the begun to find her friendship returned to Liverpool after Weeton discovered that the seven o’clock mail coach for mere caprice . . . Oh, Miss occasionally visiting her Aunt anonymous advertiser, was Kendal. After dining at Chorley you are in this house and Uncle Barton, at “highly respectable, kept Kendal they then took a post what Buonaparte (sic) is to Upholland, her ‘thank you’ carriages and had town and chaise for the final 12 miles Europe . . . Your insolence to letters contained amusing country houses.” to Dove’s Nest. your parents, and the tyranny observations of her fellow The advertisement, which At 33 years-of-age Miss you are guilty of to all you have travellers on the canal appeared in Gore’s General Weeton was in her prime and in your power, requires the passenger barge from Appley Advertiser, Liverpool, on understandably excited about prayers of all who feel it (and Bridge: Thursday 9 November, 1809, her prospects at Dove’s Nest you have mine), and “. . . most people who go read: in the beautiful Lake District. particularly forgiveness of Him into the tail end of the packet All went very well at first but who is pouring his benefits (second class seats) seem to WANTED in the nothing could prepare her for upon you every moment.” think that eating and drinking neighbourhood of Kendal, a the terrible calamity which is the most delightful GOVERNESS to super- was to befall the Pedder New lodgings amusement of travelling. The intend the Education of a household. In turn the once generality of those who sail in Young Lady. None need “good looking man . . . good By 22 September, 1808, the upper end seem to have apply but such as can give natured, liberal, hospitable Miss Weeton had found new very different ideas. They good references as to ability and unsuspicious” Edward lodgings at ‘Beacon’s Gutter’ appear as if ashamed of such and character, Apply J. Gore. Pedder changed into a bad (“fine romantic name to utter”), a piece of vulgarity as the tempered drunken brute. Kirkdale, the home of Edward indulging a propensity to eat . The advertiser turned out and Betty Smith and their small . . Some very odd faces are to to be none other than Edward ● The next issue will describe son. It was on the banks of the be seen at times. Two old ladies Pedder, a member of the incidents at Dove’s Nest; a Mersey, about two miles north got in a few miles from important Preston banking trip to the Isle-of-Man; of Liverpool’s town hall. Until Liverpool. The very moment family of that name. Pedder’s relocation to High Royd, near the docks reached that point in they could squat themselves on annual income at that time Huddersfield and her 1850, it was a place of “sea- the cushion, they began to knit. was the large sum of £1,500 marriage at the age of 37 to side charm and solitude”. It had One had a good hardy look, as to £2,000. Having lost his first Aaron Stock of Wigan. Also a fine stretch of sand at low if she had been stewed to make wife, he had subsequently a profile of Stock, owner of a water and was much her keep. She looked more like made a Gretna Green tottering cotton spinning frequented by salt water a coddled gooseberry than marriage with his uneducated factory, based in Chapel bathers and where Miss anything else . . . A very nice dairy maid employed at Lane, Wigan. 8 THOMAS RAWLINSON WEETON (1781-1845) MISS Weeton loved her brother, establish himself. Steady progress printer. Mrs. Bevan likewise responded Thomas Rawlinson Weeton, more through perseverance eventually with a 15-page pamphlet produced by a than she did her mother. The pair were secured for himself the bulk of the Wigan printer, but Weeton was a beaten inseparable companions in childhood practice to be had in Leigh. man. Already he had lost the coveted to maturity and Miss Weeton plunged He became increasingly ashamed of position of Clerk to the Magistrates and into deep melancholy when Thomas his humble upbringing, of which his his professional fees had suffered left home to become articled to a sister was a constant reminder because severely. He was finished in Leigh. Preston solicitor in 1795 at the age of of her own humble position of village * * * * 14. For weeks afterwards she visited school-mistress. Continually goaded by each place in and around Upholland his socially aspiring wife, any remaining In the 1930’s fresh material came to where he was once regularly seen. She regard, esteem or affection for his sister light which was in the possession of Mr. wrote: “I never should see him again Willoughby Scott Darlington M.A., a as I had seen him before: his seat in was rapidly being eroded. This culminated in despicable behaviour collateral descendant of Thomas Weeton. church; his usual corner at home; his It seems that Thomas had retired in the old clothes and books. Everything that towards his long-suffering sister, even to eventual attempted character year 1837 and probably lived out his years had been his reminded me of the happy at the home of his daughter and son-in-law days that were fled . . .” assassination and detailed at length in at Adlington, near Chorley. There he died Within a year of ending his seven Miss Weeton’s letters. of pleurisy on 5 March, 1845, aged 64. year clerkship Thomas married Miss Thomas Weeton appears to have Jane Scott, the daughter of the owner been a man who loved open debate and of a Wigan cotton spinning factory. On the attendant publicity. He had been well the day of the wedding the happy couple educated via Mr. Braithwaite’s “most went to live with Miss Weeton at excellent” Upholland Academy coupled Upholland. The accommodation with seven years’ training as a solicitor. arrangements were unfortunately most Clearly he possessed above average ungenerous to Miss Weeton, and intelligence and was articulate. Perhaps exacerbated by the indolent nature of this was his very undoing - in Thomas’s new wife. Fortunately within underestimating his ‘less intelligent’ a month Mrs. Scott sent a man with a Leigh contemporaries. horse and a note persuading her He became involved in the cut and daughter and son-in-law to return on the thrust of pamphlet warfare and scathing horse to live in Wigan, which they did. letters from and to him are revealed via Thomas’s marriage to Jane resulted lengthy column inches in newspapers. in one son, Thomas (born 1804) and two He lashed out against riotous weavers; daughters, Catherine (born 1806) and he objected to the singing of sacred Jane (born 1807). Four other children music by an opera star; he attempted to of the marriage died in infancy. run with both the fox and hounds at the Writing to Miss Bolton of Wigan in time of the Peterloo Massacre; his August 1808, after spending some four loyalty was called into question at the or five weeks at her brother’s home, Miss accession of George IV in respect of a local celebration to celebrate the The title page of Thomas Weeton’s 25 Weeton recorded in a matter-of-fact style, page pamphlet and (below) the title page without the slightest hint of jealousy: coronation in 1820. In the process he of Mrs. Bevan’s 15 page pamphlet “My brother does seem so fond of her made many enemies and they gave him response to Mr. Weeton. and his children, that seriously it was a little peace. Even his personal friendship most exquisite pleasure to me to witness of Mr. Marsh, the magistrate, offered his happiness. He is not content with him no protection in the matter of Mrs. kissing and cuddling by moonlight, but Bevan’s Will in 1833. he must do so by sunlight too. Every day, Mrs. Elizabeth Bevan lived at Laurel after dinner and supper instead of dessert House, Lowton, and was a lady of on his table, came his wife upon his knee, considerable wealth through her and her lips to his mouth, sweeter I dare extensive Lowton Estates. Then 81 years say in his opinion than the finest garden of age and with rapidly failing health, fruit, and more grateful to his heart.” she instructed Mr. Weeton in the disposal of her estate. According to Mrs. * * * * Bevan, Mr. Weeton fraudulently made At the age of 26, bolstered by Scott the main beneficiary of her will his very money, Thomas Weeton was gradually good friend, Mr. Philip Newton. In getting established as Attorney in the return for a valuable legacy for Mr. little township of Leigh, Lancashire. Newton, an alleged £500 would be given Leigh at that time boasted 22 licensed to Mr. Weeton. Mrs. Bevan, however, houses, a bull-baiting ring and a cock- recovered sufficiently to expose the pit. The population of about 5,200 forgery. Weeton wriggled via a 25-page consisted mainly of poor weavers and pamphlet comprehensibly written and Thomas must have found it difficult to meticulously executed by a Leigh

9 SIR HENRY HALL – The Miners’ Friend FOR a generation in the Wigan coalfield, to discover which produced maximum there was no more respected name than violence. The investigations were carried that of Henry (later Sir Henry) Hall, a out at a time - i.e. in 1893 - when the mining engineer and a distinguished causes of coal dust explosions in mines inspector of mines. In the late 19th and were much less understood than later. early 20th century, accounts of inquests The results of Mr. Hall’s experiments and inquiries into mining accidents and were an important contribution to the explosions contained the views and findings of the Royal Commission on conclusions of Mr. Hall. Coroners at the Coal Dust Explosions in Mines and were time were always grateful for his to prove that coal dust - contrary to evidence given after visits to the scenes popular belief - was a more serious of mining accidents and disasters. factor in explosions than firedamp. Research into the causes of explosions by him led to the passing of important Dust would explode mining legislation. He was born in 1845, the youngest son of John Hall of Mr. Hall was able to show and Sedgefield, Co. Durham and was substantiate that coal dust would explode educated at York. His mining career if raised in a cloud, when the cloud was began at Hasslewell Colliery, in dense enough and there was a means of Durham, and he joined the mines ignition. The dangers of a coal dust inspectorate at the early age of 28. His explosion were shown by him to increase first appointment was to the Swansea Henry Hall with the presence of methane, with the area in 1873 and a year later he took up were always instructive and full of fineness of the dust and when the dust a similar post in the Wigan area, later information. He won the confidence of had a high volatile content. A small, local becoming HM Chief Inspector of Mines, both management and men by his explosion of firedamp could raise the dust being in charge of the Lancashire and impartiality and the ability to express and provide the means of ignition as North Wales Division. During this time the courage of his convictions clearly could a blown-out shot. What happened he was president of the Manchester and tactfully. On behalf of a Royal was that a particle of dust, once ignited, Mining and Geological Society, meetings Commission what became known as the would set off the next particle and so on of which were often held at the Wigan Henry Hall experiments began in 1837 in what we would now call a mini-atomic Mining and Technical College when it when a disused colliery shaft was placed explosion. These conclusions led to the opened in the 20th century. Mr. Hall was at his disposal by the White Moss Coal introduction of an inert dust into mines an early advocate of the disuse of Company of Skelmersdale in the Wigan placed at strategic points and being furnace ventilation. This method of coalfield. For a considerable period and scattered to mix with coal dust to render providing a colliery with an intake of at various times, Mr. Hall carried out it harmless. In the 20th century water fresh air was highly dangerous and Mr. experiments into the causes of coal dust infusion was introduced which also Hall did not hesitate to say so, expressing explosions. From all over Britain helped to negate the hazard. himself in favour of the innovation of fan samples of coal dust were sent to him by In submitting his report Mr. Hall ventilation. It need hardly be said that colliery authorities who were as anxious recommended the disuse of gunpowder he lived to see his belief in fans justified as he was to see the end of the coal dust and the substitution of less dangerous and furnaces becoming obsolete. explosions which ravaged colliers and explosives. He estimated that in the 20 cost thousands of lives. years preceding his experiments coal Henry Hall experiments In the shaft which was 50 yards deep dust explosions ignited by gunpowder and seven feet in diameter, timber was had caused the death of 2,500 miners. Because of his position he was lined along the sides to represent the In 1902 Mr. Hall was awarded the independent of colliery owners and timbering of an underground roadway Imperial Service Order and in 1910 was mining unions but he showed clearly and ventilation was provided by a small knighted for his services to mining. In that an inspector could be a friend to fan. A wrought iron cannon, three feet 1928 he was given the Greenwell silver both. He recognised that his duty was long with a two inch diameter, was used medal, the highest award of the Institute not to harass employers and managers to fire gunpowder shots. About two of Mining Engineers. When he retired but to help them and at the same time to hundredweight of coal dust was at the age of 65 he was given a suitably safeguard the lives and limbs of those deposited into the shaft and the cannon inscribed coffee set by workers and who were employed in and about mines. containing a gunpowder charge was friends and his wife received a silver At all times during his office he took an detonated by an electrical device. bracelet. Sir Henry Hall died at his interest in all matters affecting the Various tactics were employed. At one residence at Hoole, Cheshire in 1936 in safety, health and education of the time the charge would be fired his 91st year. mining communities and his speeches immediately and then at intervals to try James Fairhurst 10 WIGAN INFIRMARY IN THE EARLY YEARS by Don Rayner THE Royal Albert Edward Infirmary was opened in 1873 by the Prince of Wales; it was funded by voluntary contributions and donations. Their Royal Highnesses, the Prince and Princess, both stayed at Haigh Hall as the guests of the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres. The idea of building an infirmary in Wigan was first mooted (in what was then the Wigan Dispensary in King Street) at a meeting held on 22 October 1866. At a further meeting the following month it was resolved that it was desirable to erect a building to be used as an infirmary and dispensary. It was thought a The proposed Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, 1873. Opened by the Prince and Princess of Wales, figure of 60 beds should be it had completely superseded the Dispensary by 1876. The male and female wings were to the right aimed for. and left of the Administrative Offices, with the surgery and casualty departments behind. There was Suitable land was found on ward accommodation for 45 males and 15 women. In 1877, a children’s ward was opened. the north side of Wigan on the left hand side of Wigan Lane. of a lift in this area, but certainly can safely be assumed that all still frowned on its use by This was bought at a cost of the theatre was here - the terazzo the original lighting was by student nurses. floor still exists. The theatre area gaslight, as the local municipal £6,192 10s. The Architects were Always locked! to be Mr. T. Worthington of in later years in turn became a electric power station at Manchester and Joseph Hanson Pathology Lab, Matrons office, Bradford Place, Poolstock was The accommodation on the of London. Red Cross Library, and passed only to be tendered for in 1899. first floor, currently used as the Messrs Joseph Wilson and through many department’s The outpatients’ consulting staff dining room, was Son of The Steam Sawmills, hands as offices. and waiting rooms were to be originally designed as quarters in the area now occupied by the Caroline Street, Wigan ‘Wine Cellar’ for the Matron, and was still (founded 1853) were awarded present general office, on the left used in this capacity until the the contract - the tender was for It is interesting to know that on entering from under the clock 1970’s, when the rooms were a sum of £13,032. This was to in the cellars of this central area tower. However, the outpatients used by doctors as their sitting be for the cost of building what there was also planned a ‘wine were not intended to use the room. The other occupants on we now know as South Ward, cellar’, and another for keeping posh entrance; evidence of other this floor were the House at one end of the old main beers and ales in. Another room doors for their use still exists on Surgeon, and surprisingly corridor, and North Ward at the in the cellars was set aside to be the outside of the building bedrooms for nurses and other end. South Pavilion as it used if ever needed as a boiler facing the Accident Dept. A domestic servants. The writer was described was to be for room, but I don’t think this was couple of outside toilets were uses the word ‘surprisingly’ females, North Pavilion for ever the case. The planned also provided in this area. The because in later years first year men. The hospital was to be heating in the 1870’s was open yard here was where the horse nurses and domestics were to fronted by the still existing coal fires in the wards and other drawn ambulances, the first of sleep in cold cheerless attic Admin Building. At the rear rooms. Evidence of the old which was donated by Mr. and rooms above Gidlow, Johnson there would be a further two fireplaces and chimney breasts Mrs. Peck of Southport, were and Crawford wards. It should storeys to be used for male could be seen for many years - tethered; a metal ring for this also be pointed out that in the surgical and accidents; these sometimes the space was used purpose still existed until quite writers experience, the door were later to be known as as a ward cupboard. Many of the recently, when all the area between the Matron’s quarters Lancaster and Crawford wards. chimney stacks were only became the new Gastro- and the Doctors’ rooms was Also in this rear block was to dismantled as recently as the Enterology Dept. Whilst always locked! be an operating theatre and a lift 1960’s and 70’s. mentioning the restricted use of Standing aloft of the main for ‘recumbent patients’. The Although there are no actual the front door, even in the writer never saw any evidence mentions of it in my sources, it 1960’s and 70’s Matron Gale Continued on page 12 11 A total of £30,000 would be to give in later years much more, nature she would have to decline WIGAN INFIRMARY needed to build and furnish the especially Emily and Amelia the invitation however much it IN THE EARLY new hospital and a further Gidlow, as can be seen by gratified the Queen to receive YEARS £3,000 per annum required for perusing the old marble plaques the invite from so populous and ––––– running costs! Some of this at the entrance to the hospital. important a town as Wigan”. Continued from page 11 would be raised from the sale These donations would be Lord Crawford, however, was of the existing dispensary in translated into millions of able to use his influence, and entrance is what was described King Street. This building pounds in today’s money! eventually it was arranged that would be best remembered as the Queen’s eldest son, HRH in the prospectus as ‘a Grand affair handsome square tower’. This the old Trustee Savings Bank, Prince Albert Edward the Prince contained a large cistern to and latterly the Rates Office. The ceremony of laying the of Wales and his wife the provide water for the general By the time this foundation foundation stone was a grand Princess were to do the honours. use of the establishment. From stone was laid in 1870, the affair. The stone which can be This was to be the first official my own experience I knew that amount promised and raised seen at the left-hand side of the visit by royalty to the ancient this lead-lined tank was came to £24,564.4s.9d. plus the main entrance was laid by the and loyal borough, although unprotected from the many value of the dispensary. One Earl on Boxing Day, 1870, they often had passed through pigeons which roosted in the tenth of this sum had been witnessed by his wife the on their travels to the north. clock tower above! Needless to collected from “the class of men Countess and General The say it hasn’t been used for many for whose benefit the infirmary Honourable Sir James Lindsay, 4,000 yards of a year. The tower was to have a is chiefly intended”. The as well as M.Ps. Lord Crawford festooning workmen of the Wigan Coal and clock with a face three feet in was presented with a large silver The arrangements for the diameter; the face and fingers big day were carried on at a are still the original. However, great pace, whilst the Council for many years the clock and the hospital committee required someone strong of arm argued as to who should bear the to weekly wind up the weights huge cost of the royal visit, to maintain its timekeeping. estimated at about £2,000. There were also to be a set of Arrangements were made and bells meant to chime on the tenders sought for the quarter, but these were very decorating of the royal route and soon disconnected as the whole the building of great temporary hospital soon became sick of pavilions at the rear of the being disturbed every 15 hospital, where a grand bazaar minutes. In the 1960’s the bells and exhibition would be held as and weights were removed and part of the celebrations. sold for scrap, the proceeds Ground floor rooms at the being used to provide an electric front of the hospital were to be clock motor and fluorescent used as royal retiring rooms, lighting for the face. (these rooms later became the Situated besides the main boardroom and now are used by gates, which, were to be Surgeons and staff of the Royal Albert Edward Infirmary, the League of Friends as their handsome and substantial, was c.1875. There were five honorary surgeons, all legally registered, shop). Many items were bought to be erected a porter’s lodge. one of whom had to be in attendance each day. Dr. White is standing (left); seated (right) is Dr. Berry, who was to become to decorate this area, although This building was to have a Medical Officer of Health for Wigan. In the centre is Miss by 20 June these had been portico entrance supported by McIntyre, the matron, who was responsible for the domestic auctioned. Typical prices were four polished Yorkshire ashlar management of the hospital. £1.6s. for the window screens pillars with foliated capitals and used to prevent prying eyes moulded bases. Above the porch Iron Co. were said “to have trowel to commemorate the peering in the front windows. was to be shown the borough acted nobly towards the large occasion. The Mayor (Mr. coat of arms. The lodge amount which the men freely Nathaniel Eckersely) stated in Also three lace antimacassars consisted of parlour, kitchen, gave every fortnight”. This was his speech of thanks that “the brought 10 shillings, two scullery and bedroom and etc! I a penny! Other contributions, House of Haigh from time ornaments of negroes £2.5s., the am reminded of a story I heard from the gentry, were immemorial has ever been inkstand and pen used by the many years ago whereby porters substantial - John Lancaster prominent in works of charity royal couple to sign the visitors who used to have a smoke at the Esq. MP, gave £3,000, the and that no member of it was a book fetched £3.12s.6d. By far previously mentioned Wigan Coal and Iron Co., which nobler representative of the the best price was gained for the ambulance cum loading bay was owned mostly by the Earl family than the present Earl”. gilt chair used by Her Royal always wondered how the head of Crawford, donated £3,000, As the completion of the Highness at £7. porter who then lived there with the Earl giving a personal building works neared, thoughts The exhibition and bazaar, knew what was going on. It was £2,000. Others chipping in were were turned to the opening. to be held over four days, only when the lodge was being the Earl’s son Lord Lindsay Queen Victoria was invited to commenced with the grand demolished to make way for (£1,000) and the Misses Gidlow perform the opening ceremony, opening ceremony by the Prince what is now the Surgical OPD (£2,000). Lancaster, Crawford but alas this was not to be. The on Wednesday 4 June. Over the that a small slit window was and Gidlow will be Queen’s secretary replied to four days the festivities included seen concealed behind a remembered as old ward names. signify that “due to numerous the royal banquet and a fine art drainpipe! Some of these benefactors were demands on Her Majesty of this ➯ 12 exhibition with paintings and required to ‘live in’ would be dilapidated state and not fit for police escort came the Royal curios borrowed from the finest lucky to get half a guinea a royal eyes). carriage, the Royals being galleries in the country. Stalls, week, while nurses didn’t get Two companies of infantry accompanied by their hosts the run by the elite of Wigan, much more. and a troop of lancers were Earl and Countess of Crawford included one by the Countess The future King and Queen stationed at the entrance to the and Balcarres. An advertisement herself. Bands would be would sit on richly gilded chairs site, the gate which is now next in the Wigan Observer had been playing, there was a children’s in the exhibition hall, with walls to Knowsley House. This led to offering space on the spare land grotto in the storage space under richly adorned with pink, blue the exhibition area. On entering opposite the hospital for the use the North wing, an area later to and gold banners, and with the grounds the Royal party of spectators and refreshment become Red Cross Ward during patent rose water fountains would be confronted by a huge stalls. Around 3,000 people the First World War to cater for nearby to freshen the air. This pyramid constructed of blocks were present at the proceedings, the influx of wounded soldiers. rostrum would be the central of locally mined coal with a total and according to the Wigan The four days would also point of all the festivities. weight of nearly 250 tons. This Observer it was expected the include an athletics festival, a The royal route through the coal was later donated to the Royal couple would be fancy fair, wrestling, bicycle streets of Wigan was decorated hospital for its own use! The surrounded by a “glittering races and much more. Prices with 250 Venetian masts, each procession was led by carriages array of fashion and beauty and were to be one guinea for a over 25 feet high, and 4,000 containing firstly Lord not a few who can boast a noble season ticket and 6d to watch the yards of festooning. The whole Lieutenants and the County ancestry”. daily sports events. It is of the Town Hall was covered Sheriff, then came the Mayor, interesting to think that the with trophies and banners (the Town Clerk and the Recorder of Spending spree domestic servants who were moot hall was in a terribly Wigan. Following a mounted The Royals and their party were to be guests of the Crawfords at Haigh Hall for the three days, and a very costly three days it was to be for the hosts! The Countess embarked on a spending spree, determined to be worthy of the Royal presence. The house was redecorated, recarpetted, and recurtained. An expensive London firm was called to supply furniture of silk and velvet, gold plate would adorn the sideboards, there would be exquisite porcelain by Dresden, Wedgewood, Minton, nothing being deemed too good. Lighting at the Hall at that time was all by candles, and accordingly much was spent on huge chandeliers, some containing as many as 36 candles. Bedrooms and dressing rooms were also sumptuously furnished. No expense was spared and the whole cost was an astonishing £80,000!! The whole cost of the visit and the celebrations cost much more than the cost of the hospital itself! Some days later a letter dated 9 June was received by the Mayor; Dear Sir, I am instructed by His Royal Highness to inform you that your suggestion to rename the Wigan Infirmary THE ROYAL ALBERT EDWARD INFIRMARY was welcomed by HRH, he also intimated that he believed it to be the first institution to which that name had been given. Signed, Private Secretary to His Royal Highness. 13 HISTORY SHOP NEWS HISTOR FRIENDS OF THE HERITAGE SERVICE To all readers, Friends and future supporters of the early December. Keep an eye out for the final date. For Heritage Service in Wigan. We need you to consider our all of our Friends from outside the Borough, or even proposals for a constitution for the new Friends of the outside the country, please indicate on your slip if you Heritage Service so that we may progress our plans and are happy with the proposals. give you the opportunity to get involved. If you do have suggestions for committee members Outlined below are our thoughts. Please study them please nominate them and they will be considered at the and return the slip stating your agreement, any meeting. Otherwise appointments will be voted on at the amendments you suggest and whether you are a new or meeting. existing Friend. If you do not want to deface your copy of Past The final version of the constitution will be presented Forward please put your thoughts on a sheet of paper at the next meeting of the Friends of the History Shop in and send it to us at the History Shop. ➯

EXHIBITIONS interesting to have introduction for anyone who has contemporary, local work on wondered how to begin the search ‘OLD IN THE display, ranging from large for ancestors. It investigates the SOLDIERS’ HISTORY canvas paintings to papier sources available: parish records, mache sculpture. Our thanks go census returns, archive material; NEVER DIE to Martyn Lucas of the Turnpike and gives advice for beginners. SHOP WIGAN born and bred Colin for allowing us to be one of the Come along, get the bug and start Bean, now aged 73, who once chosen venues, and we look an enthralling journey. The played Private Sponge in the forward to next year’s Festival. exhibition runs until mid- popular Dad’s Army TV series in the 1970’s; has recently August saw two exhibitions. November. written his autobiography. Firstly we had work by the Drawing on over 50 years children of Aspull Primary THE DERBY ROOM, experience in the theatre, Colin’s Leigh Library book is the “most absorbing and School. They investigated the informative theatrical biography history of the township’s crest January - February 2000 I have come across” according to and their resulting illustrations Back to Your Roots Peter Hepple of ‘The Stage and and text were displayed at the TV Today’. During his career Colin has History Shop. Crest jigsaws and seldom been without work for worksheets augmented the PUBLIC long. He once ran his own display and our congratulations company in Wigan and played LECTURES many small roles on television go to Stephanie and Martin apart from Private Sponge. Now Banks, the winners of our IN THE in semi-retirement, Colin summer competition. occasionally is heard on 12 October - 13 November - HISTORY Northern Radio and keeps busy At the end of August we with small scale one-man shows Back to Your Roots hosted the annual Wigan SHOP in this area. 17 November - January 2000 - Photographic Society Part of the backbone of his 10 November profession, Colin is a man who Around Standish and Shevington exhibition; as usual the standard The Natural History of Elnup loves the theatre and this is - the exhibition of the book of prints was excellent and we Wood, Standish reflected in his book which comes hope that many of you voted for straight from the heart. He January - March 2000 - Mr. Adrian Morris your favourite image. As we go recalls years of treading the Prestwich’s Improvements: A boards, the hard work behind to press the History Shop is 8 December travelling exhibition celebrating the scenes, the rich variety of hosting the annual exhibition of Haigh Hall and the People Who roles he has played, his fellow 125 years of the Protector Lamp the Atherton Photographic Lived There actors and many amusing and Lighting Co. Ltd., producers anecdotes from the world of Society. Both societies are keen Carol Banks of miners’ safety lamps. 12 January showbusiness. In particular he to welcome new members so shares his love of pantomime and In July the History Shop took please ask us for details if you Lancashire and the Domesday relates his hilarious experiences part in the annual Wigan Arts are interested in joining. Book behind the scenes of Dad’s Army. Fred Holcroft ‘Who Do You Think You Are Festival, a joint undertaking by Family history is obviously a Kidding’ (Colin Bean’s Story) is the Wigan Artists’ Network and keen interest for many of our 9 February published by Minerva Press, the Turnpike Centre, Leigh. The visitors/readers. The Heritage The Victorian Photographic £9.99 paperback. ISBN 0 75410 499 0. Available from the History theme of this year’s show was Service’s own exhibition for the Portrait Parlour Shop. Presenting the Figure and it was autumn is Back to Your Roots, an Audrey Linkman 14 RY SHOP NEWS HISTORY SHOP CONSTITUTION one of our venues, by mail, ‘phone, •Interest Groups MEETING REPORT email, etc.... The parties involved • Regional and Foreign Meeting of the Friends Monday 6 Wigan Heritage Service - part of Should the group for any reason Correspondents September 7 p.m. Wigan Metropolitan Borough cease to exist, all assets goods and • Exchange of information/ideas History Shop Council services of the group will become • Notices and events Chair - Philip Butler (Acting Friends of Wigan Heritage Service the assets goods and services of Activities Heritage Services Manager) Wigan Heritage Service. These This was a very interesting meeting Aims & Objectives Statement • Project work - going on at assets would be treated as a despite a disappointingly low turn To further the aims set out in the specific venues, regular group donation to the Heritage Service out. Our ideas for the development Mission Statement of Wigan or individual work on Heritage to be used only for the following of the Friends were followed by Heritage Service and the objectives supervised tasks purposes some lively and informed debate set out in the Access Plan 1998- • Special events/openings/ •To improve/develop the that moved the subject on very well. 20001 workshops etc...to further the Heritage Service The idea that the newly formed Specifically to enable the Heritage aims and objectives of the •To provide improved access to group may be in line for a generous Service to provide an improved Friends with Heritage input collections Millennium grant under the Awards customer service and greater public • Annual exhibition - possibly for All scheme was greeted access •To improve the storage and rotating for each of the active favourably, but more information documentation of the interest groups - venue could was requested - see section on How it achieves these objectives collections be seen at each Heritage venue Awards for All. By providing •To further Heritage • Fund raising - within the aims ♦ Some of the salient points were project work groups communications through Past and objectives of the Friends ♦ function/event organisation/ Forward •Given the profile of the Friends help •To help purchase items for the attending the meeting, the time ♦ PROJECTS opportunities for fundraising collection could be changed to during the ♦ local knowledge/information Some examples of the type of day rather than the evening. According to the rules laid down project work that the Friends By supporting for Registered museums by the • More should have been done to ♦ group could get involved with. regular meetings Museums and Galleries publicise the meeting to ♦ Friends pages in Past Forward Commission and the codes of the • Archives - listing, indexing and encourage a larger turnout transcribing - Leigh Town Hall Governing Body Museums Association. • Some idea of the projects that Initially chaired by Heritage • Genealogy - indexing census might be on offer for the Friends Service FRIENDS - HOW WILL IT and parish record material for should be given the study area - the History Suggested Committee of 6? WORK? • Events like a Friends cheese and Shop wine party/reception should ♦ Chair Meetings • Local History - indexing begin at once. ♦ Secretary • Regular open meetings - all project on the Dootson To round off the meeting Philip ♦ Treasurer Friends and newcomers collection of Lancashire books Butler gave a short presentation on Group Representatives Venue History Shop - but could • Exhibitions - Work on the the forthcoming Millennium ■ Museums move around later e.g. Leigh, Wigan Pier, Astley Green People’s Show element of the exhibition, part of the Year 2K and ■ Archives Frequency - every 2 months Millennium exhibition Beyond project, at the History ■ Local History Shop. At present the help required • AGM - members only An important point to stress Possibly include is for the People’s Show element Venue History Shop however is that these are only correspondents of the exhibition. See the section Voting in person and by proxy suggestions and that we want the * Regional group once formed to come up on the exhibition to see how you •Committee/Governing Body - can get involved. * National International elected body plus Heritage with its own ideas as well and follow its own interests. Continued on page 16 Election v Appointment Service representative Election - nomination and vote Venue History Shop through Past Forward and Past Frequency - every 4 months Forward mailing list •Interest Groups STOP PRESS Appointment - local appointments * Museums & Art Gallery The latest volume in the by Heritage Service * Archive highly successful photo- * Local History graphic histories of our The first method is preferable and * Genealogy area, Around Standish and should provide the nominations ShevingtonShevington, compiled by and then the committee, but will To be set up according to demand/ interest Nicholas Webb, is now on take longer. The second needs to sale in the History Shop. As remain an option dependent upon Meetings to be held at the Heritage usual, this latest addition to response. venue specific to the subject the series is full of fascinat- How to join To become the focus for project ing photographs, many of Simply get on the Friends mailing work - supervised by Wigan which are being seen for list and subscribe. No qualification Heritage Service the first time. Priced at £9.99 it’s an ideal Christmas tests, no direct association with the News and Reports - through Past Borough necessary. You can join Forward, special Friends pages present. through slip in Past Forward, at and Friends mailings 15 HISTORY SHOP NEWS EXHIBITION SOME RECENT The People’s Show ADDITIONS TO We need you to get involved in our exhibition project for the STOCK AT THE new Millennium. As part of our PEOPLE’S SHOW HISTORY SHOP Year 2K and Beyond project the 929.342 Herber, Mark. Clandestine Wickham Gallery on the ground Marriages in the Chapel and Rules of floor of the History Shop will be • TO MARK THE MILLENNIUM the Fleet Prison 1680-1754. Francis redisplayed to reflect life in the • YOUR STORY / YOUR OBJECT Boutle Publishers. 1998. 128pp. [A Wigan area today, with the help transcription of some of the registers, • THINGS NOT PEOPLE and an important source for marriages of local people, local groups and which do not appear in parish local firms. – ITEM YOU COULDN’T DO WITHOUT registers] One area within this show will 282 Gardner, Norman (Ed.). focus on people, specifically an – ITEM FOR A DESERT ISLAND Lancashire Quarter Sessions Records; Register of Recusants 1678. Wigan. object that people feel marks the – WHAT YOU WOULD HAND DOWN North West Catholic History Society. occasion for them. It could be 1998. 204pp. ISBN 0953 1020 25. something old or new, something • AND WHY 282 Gardner, Norman (Ed.). you couldn’t do without, the Lancashire Quarter Sessions Records; latest fashion or something very Register of Recusants 1679. Wigan. North West Catholic History Society. personal, something unique or 1998. 101pp. ISBN 0953 1020 25. mass-produced. But it must be 282.42 Hilton, J.A. and others (Ed.). a thing. We cannot feature STOP PRESS We feel that this presents a Bishop Leyburn’s Confirmation people or pets. It must also be Awards for All perfect opportunity for our new Register of 1687. Wigan. North West something that you feel you group. A modest bid to this fund, Catholic History Society. 1997. Lottery Grants for Local Groups 311pp. ISBN 0951 4615 83. could loan to us for a year or so This means the Friends of Wigan - the average bid is expected to [The above three volumes contain lists for the exhibition. We would also Heritage Service. be £2000 - £3000 - will give us of names of known Catholics] need to know why you feel it Launched recently this the ideal platform to really 929.1 Herber, Mark D. Ancestral important, what makes it special scheme gives local groups of all launch the Friends. Trails. The Complete Guide to British to you and just how you see it sizes, however small, the chance Further into their application Genealogy and Family History. marking the occasion. Then we to make an application for lottery pack document, a copy of which Stroud. Sutton Publishing. 1997. we have already secured, it states 674pp. ISBN 0750 9141 81. will hopefully have an area of the money. It is part of the [Published in association with the display that features many of Millennium Festival scheme and that applications from new Society of Genealogists, this is these things on show alongside funds are available for activities groups would be welcome. probably the definitive guide to the a picture and description of the by local groups which However in order for us to be subject] person and their explanation of • Mark or celebrate the eligible for a grant we must agree 920 FOR Bret, David. George our constitution, set up our Formby; a troubled genius. Robson the object. Millennium committee and open our bank Books. 1999. 296pp. ISBN 1861 0523 • Bring people together So come along to the History account as soon as possible. 91. Shop and get involved in the •Increase involvement in a Please consider the section [A controversial biography of this Wigan-born comedian] exhibition. It’s your chance to wide range of community on the constitution carefully activities 652.24 Watts, A.J. Private owner feature in a major exhibition in and then as a Friend complete wagons from the Ince Waggon and Wigan about our area today. •Are open and accessible the slip (or return on a blank Ironworks Company. Historical Contact Dawn Wadsworth for •Are well organised and sheet of paper) and send it to Model Railway Society. 1998. ISBN more details (01942 828124). planned us at the History Shop. 0902 8352 54.

The History Shop has a Meeting Room, with FRIENDS OF WIGAN HERITAGE SERVICE a capacity for 36. This is available for hire by Name ...... local groups and societies at a very reasonable cost: Address ......

...... £7.00 PER MORNING OR AFTERNOON SESSION ...... (£5 annual subscription £10.50 Existing Friend New Friend payable to Wigan MBC) PER EVENING SESSION Constitution - Do you support the proposals Y N COMMERCIAL RATE Comments ...... £15.00 ...... (Day time only) REFRESHMENTS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE ...... Please state preference for Time of Meeting in December If you are interested, contact Mike Haddon Morning Afternoon Evening (01942) 828121

16 Is your dialect really necessary?

APPARENTLY, a so population, fluent, broad out. I remember quite vividly the Brummie accent. The only resounding YES, according Wiganese, for the want of a efforts of a group of lovely young Wiganese I hear now is when to the almost endless better description. But let me girls from the Potteries teaching Uncle Ernie Taberner rings! I bibliography on the subject hasten to add that such lingo was me Potter’s elocution test piece, would love to hear of tapes on and the fact that dialect has not normally used in the home, “Cos kick a baw agen a waw then dialect (not the ones by actors), though I do remember the yed it wi thi yed an’ bust it?” I especially those made on been around for well over a opposite with a few families. must, though, hasten to add that impromptu, rather than on stage thousand years. Neither was it used in school, in the ensuing 55 years, I have yet production! Over 35 years of daily church or even shops, unless to encounter the occasion to In conclusion, and with technical report writing. I fell in one was on familiar terms with enquire of anyone if they are Joseph Wright again in mind, I love with, but have never the proprietor or assistant(s) capable of kicking a ball against wonder if his concern for the completely mastered, the use of thereof. a wall, then heading it with their dialect’s survival is now more words. In this connection I Consider the following, I head (what else?) sufficiently justified than it was earlier this purchased, about 45 years ago, a have vivid memories of a handful hard to burst it. century and whether any Pelican paperback by the late of very old (probably ten years With the benefit of hindsight movement has been noted in the Simeon Potter, entitled Our younger than I am now) residents and my feeling for dialect there Wigan area. Language, the best 3s.6d. I ever of Garswood who never spoke is a distinct possibility that such If I could use the incident of spent. anything but dialect. Opinions a feeling is on hold and with this my recent visit to my local library Mr. Potter laid great store in may vary here but, with that term in mind, I often wonder about the as a sort of warning beacon to the the importance of dialect when he “Dialect Speaking Areas” in existence of dialect today, effect that interest in dialect is on wrote that, between the years mind, could it have been that they especially in my old principality. the wane, let me report that here, 1150 and 1500, there were five were the remaining fossils of a I would simply hate to learn that on the shelves, are six large major dialects, all of equally community that spoke, it had died. volumes each containing say 600 important literary standing - exclusively, dialect? In this connection I wonder if, or more pages, still in mint Northern, East Midlands, West I have mentioned the co- in the network of Wigan Heritage condition, as far as I am aware, Midlands, Southern and Kent. existence of standard English and Service, there might be a section my request to see them was the Well ... imagine the preening dialect but as far as I am aware, centred on the survival of the local first in years. Please, you on reading the first one! I even nothing has been recorded about dialect that could perhaps supply Wiganers, tell me I am hopelessly invested in myself the honour of the dialect speaker’s me with relevant information. wrong! being bi-lingual - English (with a psychological standing in relation As may be imagined, living J. Harold Smith distinct flavour of Garswood) and to that of the more (but not where I do, there is no dialect, Sutton Coldfield fluent Wiganese. necessarily) articulate English only that plaintiff sounding West Midlands Concerned speaker. Towards the end of the 19th “Talkin’ proper” century, there was a belief that progress would eventually see the To elucidate, it was my BOB DOBSON demise of dialect. So concerned experience that if a local, dialect was one Joseph Wright that in speaker was approached by a Publisher and Book Dealer 1898 he sat down to compile his stranger or someone of known Dictionary of English Dialect- six officialdom, the change from volumes of it. Incidentally, I have dialect to “talkin’ proper” was LANCASHIRE recently discovered, in mint immediate and, somehow, condition, the six volumes which intuitive. Add to that and with a YORKSHIRE & CHESHIRE he completed in 1905, in our local few exceptions, the dialect reference library to which I shall speaker automatically assumed be making more frequent visits. the subordinate role. This I buy, sell and search for second-hand books In his volume on The scenario, I suppose, would never relating to these counties: I search for books: Grammar of Dialect he wrote in materialise. his Preface that the reason for Existing at the time was, by I issue lists. I buy quantities of other books. embarking on such a mammoth today’s standards, a more Esp. local history and dialect. task was that the advance of restricted urge to invade the technology in communication, territory of your neighbouring travel, both domestic and foreign tribe, with the philological result LIST OF MY NEW PUBLICATIONS would, in the next 20 years, see that should a resident of, say, the philology (pronunciation) south of a line below St. Helens ON REQUEST existing at the end of the century stray into Garswood, his exit irretrievably lost. would be remarked upon in terms By sheer coincidence, I was of, “Din’t ’e talk nice?” Well they BOB DOBSON born in that period of estimation do say that comparisons are and though I never had the odious. “Acorns” pleasure of meeting Mr. Wright, 3 STAINING RISE I could have informed him that as “Yed it wi thi yed” STAINING far as Garswood was concerned, he was worrying unduly. During my working life I BLACKPOOL FY3 0BU In the following 21 years I encountered many dialects and Tel: (01253) 895678 spoke, as did 99% of the 300 or was even invited to try one or two 17 So many readers have expressed their appreciation of Harold Knowles’s previous contributions on Ashton-in-Makerfield that he has been persuaded to write some . . . MORE MEMORIES OF ASHTON-IN-MAKERFIELD IN THE 1930’s I DON’T think that Ashton-in-Makerfield could practised informality in those absolutely vile! Luckily the water days! only came up to my waist so I was ever have been considered to be big enough to have Transport in the 1920’s and quickly rescued and rapidly suburbs. If it had been, however, Stubshaw Cross early 1930’s still relied quite carted off home to be stripped off would have been its north-eastern suburb. heavily on the horse. Many local and scrubbed down. I saw no councils still used horse-drawn bonfire that night. I was born in Dawber Street, vehicles as did Ashton Council for Stubshaw Cross in the mid- Jug for buttermilk their dust carts. One of my most Boxing matches 1920’s. In those days, in vivid childhood memories is of a council dustcart horse collapsing Boxing matches were staged Stubshaw Cross, there were two In the 1920’s and 1930’s in Edgegreen Street. I would have in the yard at the rear of the public houses, one off-licence, children of a very young age would be required to do their been about three or four years old Caledonian Hotel. It must have a large branch of the Bryn Gates share of running errands. I recall at the time and I was fascinated been a large yard because it had Co-operative Society, Rigby’s being sent to Rigby’s Farm with to see this enormous carthorse to accommodate a full size Farm and a large advertisement a jug for buttermilk. The lying helpless, still in the shafts boxing-ring and quite a large hoarding which conveniently buttermilk would be poured onto of the cart, the dustmen gathered, crowd of spectators. I think the masked the activities of us kids mashed potatoes and was impotently, around and boxing matches would have been housewives at every door. I relatively minor events of mainly on the “croft” behind it. Today considered by many people to be a great delicacy; not by me suspect that the poor animal must local significance but they there are still two public houses, though. I only tried it once and have had to be destroyed, but I certainly seemed to be well the off-licence has gone, Bryn thought it revolting! I also never saw it because I vaguely attended and very popular. They Gates Co-operative Society in provided great amusement in the remember someone rushing me would only be staged during the its entirety has gone and Rigby’s local corner shop where I would indoors. light evenings of the summer Farm is now Jameson’s Farm. be sent to buy two penn’orth of months for obvious reasons and I There was quite a large area of dessicated coconut. I always Bonfire night used to be able to watch them from one of the back bedroom “spare” land to the north of pronounced it as “desecrated” coconut! We were also sent to At the bottom of Dawber windows of my Auntie Evelyn’s Golborne Road on which we school completely Street and Edgegreen Street there house. They were sash windows could play, secure in the unaccompanied, in many were some allotment gardens, the and, by leaning out of the window, knowledge that we wouldn’t be instances from the very first day. cultivation of which was a very you could get a reasonable view. chased off; there was also a My mother’s older brother, Peter, popular pastime, particularly Not quite Frazier-Ali standard but pond where we caught tiddlers was sent out on his first school since there was a valuable edible it was very entertaining and, free. benefit in the vegetables which Behind my Auntie Evelyn’s (we called them cockies) in jam day to go to the Roman Catholic School in Liverpool Road, formed the bulk of the crops. My house and down a narrow dirt jars and gazed in amazement at Ashton, because my grandfather rented one of these track between some allotments the very large and colourful grandmother’s second marriage allotments, none of which had a was the Y.M.C.A. football ground dragonflies which used to breed had been to a Roman Catholic. piped water supply; most of the which doubled up in summer as in the pond. Those of us who His two step-brothers, Charlie allotment holders, therefore, dug a sports field used by local were old enough played and James, being the children of a pit into which water drained Sunday Schools for their annual “piggy”* - a game very popular my grandmother’s first, naturally, thus providing a supply Field Days. They used to charge of water for irrigation. On bonfire for admission to the football in Lancashire mining Protestant, marriage were already attending St. Lukes, night each year my grandfather matches but they had a custom communities - and flew home- Protestant School. On Peter’s would make a big bonfire which which was of great benefit to local made kites on the croft. Others, first school day Charlie and also served the dual purpose of children - at half-time they would such as my age group, were too James simply shanghaied him burning up the year’s garden let us in free! young for an active part and just and took him with them to St. waste. Naturally, seeing the Street entertainment was a watched. Lukes School. Apparently they bonfire was a big event in a child’s fairly regular feature of life in On a piece of land next to the just introduced Peter as their life, and I remember running Stubshaw Cross. Clog dancers, croft there stood a semi-derelict step-brother, he was entered into down to the allotment this bonfire some incredibly adept, others rather less so, came along, building of corrugated iron the register and that was that! He night well in advance of my parents in my eagerness to see the seemingly on a daily basis. Other construction. It had, allegedly, never went to a Roman Catholic School. Family history does not bonfire. It was, of course, pitch performers displayed a variety of been a toffee works but it was in relate what happened at home dark; I was about five years old skills - or pretensions - with piano a very sad state with every when it was discovered what had and the water pit lay alongside the accordions, mouth organs and window broken, the roof littered been done, but it was never path in the allotment. What a other musical instrumentalists. I with half bricks and other debris. undone and my Uncle Peter’s recipe for disaster! Sure enough, vaguely remember a one-man It was, in fact, so badly damaged religious transformation on his as I was running along the path I band coming round once and that we kids gave it a very wide first school day meant that he slipped into the water pit. I should there was the occasional juggler. berth for fear of being blamed for remained a Protestant for the rest perhaps mention that, in addition previous damage of his life. They certainly to being cold and wet, it smelled ➯ 18 * See also pp 6, 22 Ed. One entertainment I particularly remember was an outdoor film show. The films were movies, but silent, and they were shown on a screen mounted on the side of a lorry. Presumably the power to light and drive the film was taken from a small lorry-mounted generator. Digressing slightly and moving forward a few years, I remember the Salvation Army, in Ashton, putting on shows for the local children. I don’t know if there is a name for it but the shows consisted of the enactment of various sorts of action behind a large white screen. All the children would sit on wooden benches in front of the screen and there were lights behind it so Bolton Road, Stubshaw Cross, c.1910. arranged as to cast the shadows of the performers on to the other Molly Griffiths. The kaolin - if income. Doctor’s bills had to be in a glass case. Sometimes, these side of the screen for us to see. such it was - had to be heated up paid and even though most people natural history exhibits would be Sometimes someone would on the fire downstairs and then paid off the doctor in weekly displayed within the shop, perform the old trick of casting rushed upstairs and spread on instalments the money still had to enhancing the, already shadows, using their hands, of Dad’s chest and back. Makeshift be found. A common sight on intimidating, atmosphere. The such things as birds, butterflies bandages - items of old clothing Friday evenings was the most popular herbalists, and various animals onto the such as shirts etc. cut into wide “Doctor’s man” doing his rounds, especially with children, were screen. We really weren’t very strips - were then wrapped around collecting those weekly those with a stuffed alligator. This sophisticated in those days! The the unfortunate patient’s body and payments. No wonder patent would guarantee that there would big attraction, however, wasn’t left in place for 24 hours. As a three medicines with their beguiling, usually be a few children hanging the entertainment so much as the year old spectator I was half tempting advertisements around the shop. Many people refreshments which were, wisely, fascinated, half horrified and promising instant cures for swore by the herbs or whatever only served after the certainly somewhat frightened by virtually all ills made vast they got from the herbalist. My performances and the inevitable, the spectacle. My dad recovered fortunes for their manufacturers. Uncle Charlie did. He had moved slightly religious, pep-talk which but I often used to think later that I remember once, after I was to Yorkshire in the 1920’s or always followed the show. The it was in spite of the poultice rather married, my Dad visited us for a 1930’s and, whenever he came refreshments were really rather than because of it. The whole scene few days when we lived in back to Ashton to visit his mother, generous with biscuits or cake could have come straight from the Yorkshire. I was working for he would call in at the herbalist and a drink of tea or, if we were pages of Charles Dickens. Pudsey Borough Council, in Gerard Street and stock up his lucky, pop. I’m not sure how Our neighbour Mollie between Leeds and Bradford, at supplies. This was a typical many converts the Salvation Griffiths, mentioned above, was the time. At bedtime my Dad herbalist shop - small with a Army got from events such as one of those women whose value opened his suitcase and slightly dark interior and rows of these but, even if we didn’t give to their immediate neighbourhood proceeded to take out his glass or white ceramic jars on the matter a lot of thought at the could not be exaggerated. If there seemingly exhaustive, supply of shelves lining the walls. The jars time, I know that I have always was a sick baby or fractious child medicines. He first took a dose of had ornate labels or fancy gold had a soft spot for the Salvation Mollie didn’t just offer sympathy, Fennings Fever Cure, then a lettering on the front spelling out Army. she rolled up her sleeves and Fennings Little Healer, then a the Latin name of whatever it Kaolin poultice pitched in with solid practical dose of Owbridges Lung Tonic contained. Most herbalists had help. She would sit with the child, and followed this revolting facilities for dispensing refreshing Illness was much more of a day or night, as required, to give cocktail with a large dose of drinks or herbal remedies. burden on people then than it is the mother a much needed rest or Scott’s Cod Liver Oil Emulsion. Sarsaparilla and Dandelion and now. Of course humanity, even in the chance to go out and do her Then, just for good measure, he Burdock were great favourites. a modern country such as shopping. She also cut the local popped a couple of Beacham’s The herbalist shop in Ashton was England, still has to fight against children’s hair! This was greatly Pills into his mouth! He had taken in Gerard Street on the same side the killers such as cancer, heart appreciated by the local parents enough medicine to stop a as Cromptons Factory. It was one disease etc. but the days have because, of course - what else - carthorse! I asked him “Are you of a terrace of very small shops gone when, for example, yes, she did it for nothing! She ill Dad?” “No”, he said, “but I opposite Timothy White and respiratory infections of a helped our family in Stubshaw would be if I didn’t take this Taylor, the chemist; I think the comparatively minor nature could Cross and continued to help us stuff!” Such is the power of whole terrace was demolished in develop into a fatal illness. I when we all moved to Grove advertising! the 1950’s. remember one occasion - I would Street/Crescent Avenue. Another consequence of the be about three years old - when expense of bringing in the doctor Horse-drawn my father had a particular severe “Doctor’s man” was the continuing popularity of funerals chest infection which must have herbalists. Most towns would been bronchitis. He was in bed A long illness could be have one or more herbalist shops, Horse-drawn funerals were and was having what I later financially crippling to a family usually quite small premises with still to be seen in the early 1930’s. thought must have been a kaolin for a number of reasons apart a dark and slightly sinister My maternal grandfather died in poultice applied to his chest and from the most obvious reason of interior. The window display, as back. This treatment was being doctor’s bills having to be paid. with chemists, usually featured a 1932 and the hearse at his funeral applied by candlelight - the house If the worker of the family was ill few large glass containers, of a was horse-drawn. It was the full had gas lighting downstairs but and couldn’t work it spelled pharmaceutical aspect, filled with “monte” - coal black horses with nothing upstairs - by my mother trouble immediately in the shape coloured water and, occasionally, and our next door neighbour, of a significant reduction in a stuffed animal or bird, mounted Continued on page 20 19 later when my schooldays were answered the door on Friday the unfortunates in the 1d seats MORE MEMORIES long behind me. He was retired evening or Saturday morning. below. In the fruit harvest weeks by then and probably in his This important duty would be of autumn the situation was OF ASHTON-IN- seventies. I had never before fully delegated to the member of the much worse for those in the MAKERFIELD realised how small he was - I family least qualified to discharge lower seats. Mrs. Green, mother IN THE 1930s towered over him and it was that duty - usually a very small of Alan Green, the founder of ––––– difficult to reconcile the man I child of tender years, always in a Green’s supermarket in Gerard state of embarrassing undress - no Street, had a fruit and vegetable Continued from page 19 saw then with the headmaster who had exercised such a great trousers etc. The door was usually shop opposite the Palace and for influence over me during the five left ajar and would be pulled open a 1d you could get a brown paper black, plumed, head-dresses, or six years I spent at the British by this infant, who, usually, had bag full of small hard pears. brightly polished harness and the School. I owe a great deal to only the barest grasp of his or her Guess where the cores went on hearse, a highly ornate, glass- Arthur Cottam. He it was who native tongue. “Der noy in” was Saturday afternoons! As to the sided and lavishly decorated pushed me to Ashton Grammar the standard response to a request official entertainment - the films receptacle for a coffin which, to School and, although that was just for the miserably few coppers of course - it consisted largely of my recollection of later years, a beginning, without the involved. I would persist and the serials. We called them seemed so insignificant by beginning nothing can follow. He infant would disappear into the “following-ups”, featuring Tom comparison that it should have was, of course, aided and inner recesses of the house, Mix, Ken Maynard, Buck Jones, been apologetic for having the supported by his teaching staff. I presumably for further Roy Rogers etc. - all cowboy temerity to allow itself to be can’t remember all the names but instructions. “Dey seh der noy in” films - and Buster Crabbe as placed therein. I didn’t go to the I do recall Miss Piggott and Mr. was the further response when he/ Flash Gordon for science fiction. funeral - at just over five years old Johnson in my first year or so and she returned. I would continue to Laurel and Hardy short films and I would have been too young. I I particularly remember Miss insist upon payment and, early cartoon were also very was just one of the crowd of Hilda Corless who, I’m sure, was eventually, they would realise I popular. spectators - in those days all the in charge of the final year class wasn’t going to go away and the The noise inside the cinema neighbours made a point of when pupils were being prepared required coppers would be, was indescribable - it had to be turning out to pay their last for the scholarship examination. grudgingly, tendered. heard to be believed. I never respects and to be seen to be so She had the sporting distinction It would take my Auntie knew a full performance to go doing - fascinated by the panoply of being an England ladies Maggie and me the whole of through uninterrupted. Several of the funeral scene and too pre- hockey international. I am very Saturday morning to collect the times during the show the house occupied by it to be more than glad to say that the British School window money along Bolton lights would come on and the slightly disturbed by the sight of is still in existence, but has now Road and the various side streets. manager would appear at the my mother and my aunts in tears. been converted into, I think, When we had finished we then front of the stage. His appeal Not long after my Grandad’s residential accommodation for had to take the money to Mrs. never varied - he knew his task funeral a number of families were aged persons. Pearce in her bungalow in Bryn was completely hopeless - he re-housed from Stubshaw Cross Road South. For this three hours would repeat, two or three times, to the Crescent Avenue area of Matriarch of the work Auntie Maggie would give “Would you be quiet please!” - me sixpence, which was generous only in England would the Ashton, between Wigan Road and family Old Road. Luckily, my Grandma for those days. To put it into manager have said “please”! - was moved into the house next perspective, I could buy twelve 1 then the house lights were When I was about 10 or 11 oz. bags of sweets for sixpence - dimmed again, the performance door to us together with my three, years old I used to help my Auntie as yet unmarried, aunts and my wine gums, marzipan teacakes, re-commenced and mayhem Maggie on Saturday mornings. coconut mushrooms, liquorice continued as before. Uncle Jimmy (he of the one arm My Auntie Maggie was a window who taught me to swim). For me, allsorts - all these goodies were One of my pals, Bill cleaner working for Peace’s firm within my reach. Griffiths, son of the Mollie the most immediate effect of the of window cleaners. This was a move was a change of school. I Griffiths mentioned earlier in this fairly large family concern Three cinemas article and brother of the Joe was sent to the British School, controlled by the matriarch of the situated in Wigan Road in Ashton Griffiths who emigrated to family, Mrs. Pearce, from her town centre. Although I wasn’t to Or, instead, I could go to the Australia, got a job as a bungalow in Bryn Road South, know it at the time, I was very Saturday matinee at the Palace projectionist at the Palace cinema off Bolton Road and Town Green. fortunate to go to the British cinema. There were three when he left school and, on quiet School. It was a combined infants Auntie Maggie’s “beat” extended cinemas in Ashton in the 1930’s mid-week evenings, would invite and junior school; the headmaster along the length of Bolton Road - the Queens, the Palace and the me to join him in the projection was Arthur Cottam, a man of to the Ram’s Head public house Scala - but only one of them, the room. It was quite fascinating to diminutive stature but with at the junction of Bolton Road Palace, opened for a children’s see how a smooth continuation of enormous strength of character with Golborne Road at Stubshaw matinee on Saturday afternoon. the film from reel to reel was and personality. He was also a Cross, including the side streets The admission prices were 1d for achieved. The projectionist had to strict disciplinarian who had built along the way. On Saturday the cheapest seats (the front watch the screen when the reel up a sound reputation for getting mornings Auntie Maggie had to stalls), 2d for the back stalls and being played was nearing its end. the best out of his pupils, collect the “window money” from 3d for the balcony seats, usually A signal would appear in the top particularly in the senior classes. the houses where the windows occupied by the children of right-hand corner of the screen He had an enviable record of had been cleaned the previous indulgent parents. The social to alert the projectionist to switch success by his pupils in the 11- week. My job was to help her. She discrimination thus imposed in on the second projector which plus or “scholarship” examination would tell me which houses to go no way guaranteed any was, of course, synchronised as it was then known. He was a to and how much money was superiority in the behaviour of with the reel in the first projector. firm advocate of corporal required. Large sums of money the juvenile plutocrats of the After a spell at the Palace, Bill punishment which he applied in were not involved. Rarely did the upper level. Quite the reverse, in was promoted to the Ritz in liberal measure, and though the cost exceed 3d (this was 1936 of fact - they were much more Wigan, a much bigger and anatomical location of the course). badly behaved, something which almost new cinema with a punishment - strokes of the cane In those days a knock at the students of social history would modern state of the art projection on the hands rather than the door on Friday night or Saturday probably find not at all room which I was also privileged backside - differed from my later morning meant only one thing - surprising. The kids in the to visit. experience at Ashton Grammar someone had come for money. balcony seats made full use of ● In the next issue, Harold School, the effect was similar - it Consequently, at some houses, the law of gravity, raining every Knowles recalls a holiday in hurt! I met Arthur Cottam years adult members of a family rarely sort of debris imaginable upon Blackpool in the 1930’s. Ed. 20 AMONGST all the events and take the drudgery and backache out of celebrations held during 1999, one washing and rid the home of wash day anniversary has almost been A blues. His experiment must have been successful as he then opened a overlooked, although its launderette in Railway Road, Leigh in introduction brought about a September 1949. minor domestic revolution and CLEAN created in its wake an urban Violet Carson myth. I am referring to the introduction of the launderette, Certainly, during the next couple of SHEET decades launderettes grew in number, which is celebrating its jubilee this and even as late as January 1967 an year. article in the Wigan Observer referred to The launderette, or self service the scheme by establishing the first the opening of the Platt Bridge laundry, originated in the Manhattan laundries, before they could reasonably Launderette at 164 Warrington Road, district of the City of New York in 1945. expect to sell this new concept to the Lower Ince, by Coronation Street star In 1946 Bendix Home Appliances British public. Violet Carson. Company was formed in the UK, and The launderette boasted a vending within a year had established itself as a Bendix took to the ideas machine and a brightly illuminated leading manufacturer of the top end of jukebox besides the 10 washing machines the home-washer market, producing a 9 Bendix took to the ideas, and in 1947 and six dryers. Soap powder used was lbs capacity automatic washer which sold opened a suite of offices at 46 Baker Persil and Omo. Whilst the washing at just over £100. Later in 1946 a director Street, deciding on the name Launderette machines could hold 9 lbs of clothes, the of Fisher & Ludlow, of which Bendix was for their branches. Their first site was dryers were able to carry 20 lbs for only a subsidiary company, went on a visit to Queensway, where the first Bendix self 6d. the United States and observed the service launderette opened its doors in Although there are still launderettes development of self service laundries and early 1949. It consisted of 20 Bendix operating in the Wigan area I would be considered the possibility of introducing washers and 3 hydro extractors. In most interested to hear which is the oldest the concept into Britain. Wilfred Russell- contrast to the United States, tumble one still operating. If any readers have Neil, a top manager from Bendix was sent dryers were not installed, as no suitable memories of launderette use, or to the United States to investigate the drying equipment was available in photographs, I would be most grateful if possibilities, and on his return decided Britain as the time, and importing was they could contact me at Leigh Local that the concept could be made to work not permitted because of strict import History Library. in Britain. Russell-Neil took the view that controls. T.A. Bendix themselves would have to launch One of the first launderettes in this area was opened by W. Lee, electrician, in Smith Street, Atherton in May 1949. WANTED Known as the Besides information and Laundretteria it possessed reminiscences needed on a battery of electric launderettes, I also require washing machines. information, photographs etc. on the Housewives who wanted following subjects:- their washing done could Friendly Societies, Dry Cleaners take their bundles to the and Supermarkets. shop, where the parcels Furthermore I am most interested in were weighed and a charge personalities of the area and would 1 welcome any information on the stage of 2s.6d. or 12 /2p was made for 9lbs weight. and screen star Elizabeth Larnes, and Supervisors separated the the date of death of the Hindley born woollens, coloureds and writer John Farrimond. whites which were then put During the early part of the next year into the washing machine. there will be an exhibition on food & The dial was set, soap shopping. If any reader has photographs, bill heads etc. of shops placed in the water and such as butchers or bakers, or any then the machine was memories of going to restaurants, switched on. Each batch of coffee bars and Chinese restaurants, washing took 45 minutes, I would like to hear from them. enabling the housewife to either go and do her Tony Ashcroft shopping or else wait in a Leigh Local History Officer room at the shop. Tel (01942) 404559 From the Leigh Reporter, March 1966. Mr. Lee’s idea was to 21 EARLY DAYS IN HINDLEY

I WAS born in the Urban front of the hearth was a home- at the old school, then we would table and a pitching board. There District of Hindley, near made rug made from old clothes, walk through the streets as a were rubber rings which you Wigan, on 21 August 1912, cut into strips and then ‘pegged’ group, escorted by a teacher to threw to try to hook on to a in Fairclough Street. Soon into some sacking. A sideboard, the other school. This school had number on the board. after, however, my parents sofa, two rocking chairs, three separate classrooms and the Only recently did it occur to moved to 17 George Street. other chairs and a sewing desks were for two boys. me that we were assisting our The house was old and machine completed the education. We were counting, small - a living room, furniture. On the walls was one Games we played adding up, taking away and kitchen, pantry and two large framed photograph of me becoming familiar with bedrooms. It had a small in swaddling clothes and two Outside the school there numbers. front garden but a much other pictures. A gas light in the were sizable areas of common larger one at the back. living room was the only land where we played all kinds Leisure activities Beyond the garden were artificial light we had in the of games. We played football open fields of a small house. with any rubber ball we could I was an avid reader in my poultry farm. My first memory is of being get hold of sometimes by later school years, with a At the top of our neighbour’s awake in the middle of the night, clubbing halfpennies together! fondness for adventure stories. garden was a brick built watching the sky lit up over But as we all wore clogs they Every Christmas I would get an lavatory. Inside was a wooden Wigan. We learned later that never lasted very long. annual called ‘Hultons seat with a hole in the middle. there had been a raid by a We played cricket with Adventure Stories’. I also recall There was a metal container German ‘Zeppelin’, the target home-made bats and some us getting ‘Comic Cuts’ and underneath which was emptied probably an iron works on the rather odd wickets, sometimes ‘Comic Chips’. Indeed comics weekly. Toilet paper was old outskirts of Wigan. People were chalked on a wall. Later we were very popular with children newspapers cut into small killed and property damaged. acquired proper ‘stumps’ and at that time. My parents even pieces. respectable bats. My word we went to great expense to buy for The washing was done in the School years thought we were well off! Then me a “Children’s small kitchen where there was a we would make our way to the Encyclopedia”. brick built boiler heated by a I attended All Saints Church local park with good playing Saturday afternoons would coal fire. The washing was put School. I hadn’t far to go as the fields. often see us at the local cinema. through two wooden rollers of school was situated at the top of Tally was a game we played We called it the ‘Penny Rush’. a mangle and the water squeezed George Street. The main school with a small ball, hitting it with They were silent pictures in out. had two floors. On the ground a hand against the gable end of those days but the noise made The living room had a floor the girls were taught, the a house. This did not make you by the children as the excitement clothes line hanging from the upper floor being for the boys. popular with the householder! grew could be deafening. ‘Pea ceiling over the hearth. The heat The upper floor had two closed- We also played a game shooters’ abounded with bits of from the coal fire would dry the in rooms and one large room called piggy*. A small round orange peel as ammunition. washing. A coal fire in the living where three classes were piece of wood, tapered at one When I was working, room was our only source of accommodated. The school end, was hit on this point by a Saturdays would see us queuing heat. On one side the fire was desks were long and six pupils round stick. It spun upwards up outside the ‘County’ Cinema. the hob where the kettle and sat side by side. There was a then you belted it as hard as you Or the ‘Empire’. We thought the cooking pans could rest. On the groove for pen or pencil and a could and challenged your ‘County’ posh with plush seats other side was the oven. A hole for each pupil to place an opponent to jump the distance everywhere. I think we paid 6d. hinged bar could be dropped inkwell for use when a pen was in so many strides. Then it was or 9d. for admission. The over the fire. This would enable needed. your opponents turn. ‘Hippodrome’ with its variety kettle or pans to be heated. Iron Our first lesson was always We bought football cards shows was thrilling to us and I bars in front of the fire kept the scripture, and we learned the and rugby cards, with the name remember going to the coals from falling out. There was catechism and parts of the Bible of the clubs on them. We played pantomime at the ‘Court also an iron shelf that latched off by heart. If you were late for each other for these in a game Theatre’. Later the ‘Court’ went onto the bars. This shelf was school I seem to recall having similar to snap. over to films and I well recall adjustable. You toasted your to see the headmaster. The cane Playing with marbles and the organ rising in front of the bread here with the aid of a long was administered if necessary. collecting cigarette cards were screen from where the orchestra fork. Steak could also be grilled In this school I passed exams to also popular activities. I also pit used to be. We would be in front of the bars, and very go to a local grammar school, recall having a large iron hoop treated to organ music before the tasty it was too. The oven was but for financial reasons I wasn’t and running alongside it with a picture was ready to begin. I was always warmed by the fire. This able to take advantage of it. separate hook attachment in one in Wigan when the ‘Princess’ too had a shelf inside and this However, when I was 11 years hand. The noise made by this was opened by Princess could be used as a bed warmer old a new arrangement for our hoop and the fact that I wore Margaret. in winter. education came into being. We clogs at the time must have been I was often a spectator at the The living room floor was of older children were transferred shattering! old Wigan Borough Football flagstones covered with oilcloth to a more modern council Indoors we had snakes and Club and many years later, when or linoleum. Over this in part school, also quite close to home. ladders, ludo, dominoes and was some coconut matting. In We still had our scripture lesson draughts. I had a small bagatelle ➯ 22 *See also pp 18, 22 Ed. Ernie’s back with more motoring memories – a timely reminder that winter has always been a test for a car’s battery, I remember when . . . IF YOU were a pre war foreseen that motoring would Accordingly another phrase by the car makers (1939/45) motorist you become part of almost entered the vocabulary of the themselves, it was their didn’t have to query the cost everyone’s life in a few years trade - ‘Manufacturer’s suppliers who effectively of replacement car parts time, rather than of just a few Recommended Retail Price’ dictated costs of replacement and assemblies, because businessmen and (MRRP). From this the user parts. That was acceptable in there was so much professionals (who were the - your father and grandfather principle, of course, but in competition for your first of the car owners). As (and in some cases your great practice became a burden to business that garage owners for an average teenager grandfather) - would know the car owner. were quite willing to knock wishing to own his/her own how much an item would A moment’s reflection on off a few shillings here and car, that was a ‘pipe dream’, cost before he sanctioned the a car’s component content there, and bartering was not the fact of life that it has repair at his local garage. not ‘made in’ at the common. Those were the now become. Whether the replacement manufacturers:- wheels, days when customers could Because of this extreme was a few miles from the tyres, batteries, carburetters, literally demand competition the Society of origin of manufacture or a ignition coils, alternators, satisfaction, not just ask for Motoring Manufacturers and few thousand miles, the price water pumps, drive shafts, it because the last thing the Traders drew up guidelines was ‘fixed’ often not by the radiators, lamps, repairer wanted was for you of prices which ensured a fair car manufacturer but by their windscreens and door to go to a competitor. return on their capital to all suppliers! Since every car on windows, bumpers, shock No-one ‘in the trade’ in manufacturing of spares and the road carries so many those days could have replacement assemblies. ‘bought out’ items, not made Continued on page 24

Wigan Athletic was born. From Sundays my parents, sister and Some relief was given, I little piecer in the a very early age I watched I went to my grandparents for think, by the local council, but ‘mulespinning’ department. Wigan Rugby from the tea. Uncles, aunts and their when the miners returned to children’s section at Central families also gathered there. work it had to be paid back in The Way we Were Park. I saw the great Jim The children had their meal instalments. Sullivan in action. Money being after the adults had left the I vaguely recall having I had a happy childhood; my scarce more often than not we table. During the evening there dinners in the school. The memory is of a safe, secure and walked it to Wigan from Hindley would be some entertainment mothers acquired the loving home. I never went short and back. round the piano. My Aunt ingredients (I don’t know who of food. Meals were basic but We played happily in the Sarah could play it and there from) and took it in turn to nourishing. I have memories of streets; an occasional horse and was always someone to cook meals for the miners’ tasty stews made with cow-heels cart might interfere with our volunteer a song. I recall my children. I think this would or pigs feet. Roast beef was our play, but cars were a rarity. Open mother singing ‘By Killarneys only be in the school holidays. usual Sunday dinner, with rice or fields were nearby, where we lakes and fells’. Also the Hindley Labour Club, sago pudding. My mother baked could chase butterflies. We My father was a miner and of which my father was a her own bread and made cakes - could go for long country walks, we had a tough time in the pit member, gave soup and a barm jam tarts, custards and jellies for safely. The song of a lark was a strike of 1926. My father and I cake to us every Saturday Sunday tea. We rarely had cake common sound, it’s joyful notes would pick coal from disused dinner-time. at any other time. a sheer delight to listen to. We slag heaps (or ‘rucks’ as we I understand that the strike We would make do and were rich and we didn’t know called them). Ponies and carts, was caused by the pit owners mend, socks were darned, clothes it! trucks, bicycles, old prams - in wanting to reduce the miners’ mended, shoes or clogs repaired, fact all kinds of conveyances wages. Many of the public and rugs made from old clothes. Family were used to bring the hard- were in sympathy with the Money was scarce but that won coal home. It was hard miners. My father would often was the way it was. But we were Both my father and mother work digging for the coal but come home from the pit and far from depressed, we had fun came from large families, and there was good fellowship and fall asleep in the rocking chair and enjoyed simple pleasures that most uncles and aunts lived a great deal of satisfaction if in his black face, too tired to didn’t cost much. They were relatively close. There was you managed to find a place have a wash first. happy years. always a welcome whenever I where the coal was good and I left school at the end of E. Bennett visited them. There was a great relatively plentiful. We the Summer Term in 1926 and (aged 86) sense of family which was nice depended on coal for all our started work in late September Chilcompton and comforting. On many cooking and warmth. in a Bolton Spinning Mill as a Bath. 23 owt be stopped”, as they a battery of 12volts 9 plates more than 20 years, but only I remember would have said in Wigan! per cell with standard recently have discovered Little did I realise that in due separators and a capacity of another ‘fiddle’ which I now when . . . course I would be 57 amp hours to BCBMA highlight for the benefit of instrumental in getting it standards was creating a unit motorists everywhere. ––––– stopped! equal to his competitor, Caveat Emptor! (Let the Continued from page 23 Because prices of spares whoever it was, and was buyer beware). were “outrageous” compared therefore not ‘spurious’, nor It is well known that, if you to the prices of original was the manufacturer. It could purchase at some motor absorbers, steering and equipment, as I’ve shown therefore be deduced that, factors in the High Street you drive shafts, completely above, quite naturally some whichever supplier gained could buy at prices much less assembled and trimmed manufacturers saw a lucrative the contract for fitting his than the MRRP. Some traders bodies, etc. etc. - the list is way of manufacturing product as OE (original (garages) take advantage of enormous, so that replacements, and started to equipment), it was not this, so check your invoice to manufacturers willingly make ‘copies’ relatively much because his product was the ensure that you are paying for accepted their suppliers’ cheaper. The original best but because his OE terms what you have had fitted! If Recommended Retail Prices equipment suppliers however, were more favourable to the it was purchased at a main structure, because often it foresaw this possibility, and OE buyer! agency it would be correct to meant that it was a bargaining countered it by writing a Readers of Past Forward pay the MRRP for the counter to keep down clause in their contracts “that will recall my memory component, but if not you are manufacturing costs of the only their products would be feature on pp. 16, 17 of Issue (or have been) ‘taken for a new car. used in the replacement No. 17 (Autumn/Winter ride’ in your own car!! The So since there were so few field.” 1997) in which Mr. (later Sir) fitter (especially the smaller component specialists, and Nothing wrong with that, Quinton Hazell introduced garage owner) has bought a therefore lack of competition you might say - after all, if, me to the Manager of his ‘spurious’ component and to keep prices competitive in for example, your own car’s South African Plant as “Ernie charged you the cost of a the ‘replacement field’, it battery failed, then it was only Taberner - the only man in the genuine one, which by any became ‘acceptable’ to accept commonsense to replace it whole of the British car viewpoint is dishonest unless their (component with the same one as was industry prepared to give me verbally agreed between you manufacturers) MRRP prices originally fitted. However, it a fair crack of the whip!” This beforehand. in return for a few original was not common knowledge was because I gave him my It could happen, perhaps, equipment OE cost. that garage owners would fit personal assurance that if he that a main stockist is As an example, a a ‘spurious’ one at half the purchased from one of my temporarily out of stock, but carburettor manufacture cost of the recommended suppliers (Chorley Precision if your chosen fitter, on would quote a low OE cost replacement! Ltd.) of Chorley, Lancs, who checking, finds this to be the provided that they fixed the I use the word ‘spurious’ made all spare ball joints for case, and offers to run out of MRRP of spares; or a clutch guardedly because my my company, we would his way to collect a ‘spurious’ manufacturer would do dictionary defines it as “not continue to trade with him. one a few miles away, then in likewise, both stipulating that genuine or authentic; And so between us we could my view he would be the manufacturer of the car counterfeit; false!” Taking my ‘thumb our noses’ at the ‘playing fair’ by explaining would only sell their battery analogy as an SMMQT who wouldn’t allow this as his reason for charging approved replacements at example, most batteries fitted Mr. Hazell to join their the higher price, since he had their recommended prices. by car manufacturers just organisation! your interest in mind by so Here my readers may say, after the War were made by In explanation I was not an doing - you get your repaired “that seems fair enough”, and Lucas and were what we OE buyer, so that I was not car back in your possession in principle I would have to defined as a 12volt 9-57 amp bound by OE rules. I was more quickly because of his agree; however, I could never hours i.e. a 12volt 9 Plates per Chief Purchasing Officer for action! in principle accept their cell, with a capacity of 57 spares and replacements for Some garages now loan out method of arriving at the amps per hour at 1amp for 57 Jaguar Rover Triumph, and a courtesy car - I call that real prices, which was OE x 6 at hours. So here is the truth that was therefore able to place service - but sadly not all. times, so that if the price of makes the term ‘spurious’ not business for spares with Most complaints I hear are the component was, say £1, applicable. anyone I chose, who of course from lady owners, which is whilst it was still being fitted All car battery had to pass our own stringent particularly sad - in my day in current production on the manufacturers were members engineering data regarding we leaned over backwards assembly tracks, on your of The British Car Battery materials and dimensions! towards the inexperienced. So grandfather’s bill it was £6 Manufacturer’s Association’ Thus a blow was struck to the once again Caveat Emptor. plus cost of fitting!! who laid down standards to advantage of every motorist (Forewarned is Forearmed). This to me was which all manufacturers had in the world driving one of Happy motoring to you all! ‘commercial blackmail’, and to build batteries. It therefore our OE products! immoral, and often I said “It follows that whoever built up I have now been retired Copyright E. Tabener 24 1999 Aspull & Haigh Historical Society N.B. This meeting will be preceded by the Meetings are held in the Village Centre, Bolton AGM Road, Aspull, on the second Thursday of the SOCIETY NEWS 2000 month at 8.00 p.m. Further details from the 20 January Secretary, Mrs. Rosalie Naylor, 3 Pennington 16 November John Dee and Cleworth Hall Close, Aspull, Wigan (01942 256145). Members evening Stan Smith 21 December A true story of magic and mayhem in Tyldesley Atherton Heritage Society A.G.M. Followed by Using Books for Family from the time of Elizabeth I. The programme includes monthly meetings History 17 February with talks on local history and visits throughout Mrs. E. Finch Mr. Preswich’s Improvement the year to places of historical interest. 2000 David Mather Meetings are held usually on the second 18 January The story of the Protector miners Lamp Co. Tuesday of the month at 7.30 p.m. at St. Members evening Of Eccles. Richard’s Jubilee Hall, Atherton. Admission: 15 February 16 March Members £1, non-members £1.50. The My ancestor was a Reluctant Pirate The Meaning Behind Nursery Rhymes annual membership fee is £3. Information Robert Redmond A fascinating look a the hidden messages from Hon. Sec. (01204 651478) 21 March contained in those seemingly childish rhymes. 9 November My search for my Military ancestors 20 April Farewell to Lord Derby Dan Muir Farewell to Lord Derby Lizzie Jones Lizzie Jones Lizzie portrays, in her own inimitable way, the Leigh Literary Society The story of the execution of the royalist Earl landlady of the Dog Inn in Wigan who saved Meetings are held in the Derby Room, Leigh of Derby in Bolton 1651. Lord Derby’s life only to see him executed in Library on Mondays at 7.30 p.m. Subscription May Bolton. £10. Visitors £1. Secretary Mrs. H. Gaskell Annual Visit 14 December (01942 801743). To be arranged. Christmas Past and Present Mr. Barton Leigh Local History Society Wigan Archaeological Society We started the year with Mr. Barton and we Meetings are held in the Derby Room, Leigh The Society meets in the History Shop on the end 1999 with him giving one of his humorous Library, on the last Wednesday of the month. first Wednesday of the month at 7.30 p.m. talks in which he draws, not only on his For further details contact the Secretary, Mrs. New members are always welcome. personal memories, but those of a wide range Norma Ackers (01942 865488). of people, with laughter uppermost. Wigan Civic Trust Followed by a Christmas Buffet (Ticket only). Tyldesley & District Historical Society The Trust meets at 7.30 p.m. on the second Meetings are held on the third Thursday of Monday of the month at Drumcroon Arts Billinge Local History Society every month from September to May at the Centre, Parsons Walk, Wigan. For further For further details contact Roger Hart, 57 Tyldesley Pensioners Club on Milk Street at information contact Anthony Grimshaw. Windsor Road, Billinge, Wigan, WN5 7LD 7.30 p.m. We do not charge an entrance fee Secretary (01942 245777). New members are (01744 892915) although voluntary contributions are always always welcome. welcome. Refreshments available. Everyone Wigan Family and Local History Society Golborne & Lowton Local History is welcome, so come along, drag yourself Founded in 1984 the society now has an away from the tele and have an informative Meetings are held on the first (workshops) and average monthly attendance of over 20. and cheap night out! Contact the Secretary third (speakers) Tuesday of the month at the Meetings are held at Golborne Library on the on (01942 514271). Springfield Hotel, Springfield Road, Wigan, at second Tuesday of the month at 7.00 p.m. 18 November 7.30 p.m. For further information contact Mrs. Non-members welcome. Further details from Photographs from the Collection of the Lynne Kearns, 28 Wareing Street, Tyldesley, Ron Marsh, P.R. Officer (01942 726027). Lancashire Mining Museum, Salford Manchester. M29 8HS (01942 878549 Alan Davies evenings/weekends). Leigh & District Family History Society An illustrated talk on this ever popular subject. 5 October Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of every 16 December Workshop month in the Derby Room of Leigh Library. Christmas Past and Present 19 October For further details contact the Secretary, Mrs. Fred Barton Catholic Ancestry O. Hughes (01942 741594). An amusing look at Yuletide. Mr. J.A. Hilton

THREE roads linked Roman Wigan whose remains now consist solely of with other settlements in the north- The Gates the footbridge over the railway near west. One linked Wigan with Wigan North-Western Station, and Ribchester, one with Manchester, and of Wigan leading to the car park there. This one with Wilderspool, Warrington. was an area where peat was cut for The first of these is now known as Highgate. The road that linked fuel. At the other end of the car-park Standishgate. The suffix ‘-gate’ Wigan with Wilderspool is known in is Faggy Lane; the name is derived derives from the Old Norse ‘gata’ the town as Wallgate. The name refers from another word for peat. meaning a road. Standishgate is, then, to the town well, which was situated Some recent additions to the the road that leads to Standish. The in front of the present post office. streets of Wigan have continued the road that led to Manchester is now Other old street names ending in pattern. Bishopgate is probably of known as Millgate, because it led to ‘-gate’ include Hallgate, which links 18th or early 19th century origin. the rector’s water mills on the River the parish church with Wigan Hall, Churchgates, which links the Market Douglas. The Rector was the lord of the home of the Rector, and Stairgate, Place with the churchyard, was the manor of Wigan, and the which presumably used to consist of formerly known as Church Alley. In inhabitants of the town were obliged steps leading from Millgate to the 1990 the Wigan Centre Arcade was to have their corn ground at his mills River Douglas (which has since been renamed Marketgate – a welcome and to pay for the privilege. The road diverted at this point). addition to a venerable tradition, as continues through Higher Ince as Similar names no longer in use long as we remember to distinguish Manchester Road. In the 18th include Mesnesgate, which later between the old and the new. century this road was known as became Hope Street, and Turfgate, B.B.

25 MEMORIES OF 779 ATHERTON ROAD, HINDLEY GREEN

MY earliest memory of daughter named Freda, and this would be delivered Ashurst who also skilfully 779 Atherton Road, some years older than to you by Mr. Ashurst’s patted the golden churned Hindley Green, was when myself. employee by bicycle, and loose butter into 1/2lb and as a three year old, I The shop itself was, to some years later by the 1 lb packs. As I remember moved with my parents to a small child, an Aladdin’s shop van. Mr. Ashurst was in stature Dear Sir, the house next door no. cave, for Mr. Ashurst sold Along the base of the a small man with pleasant With reference to my 777. At this time no. 779 everything the housewife counter at floor level was features, and always wore recent telephone was a grocer’s shop could wish for, bringing to an assortment of tinned a white coat which was conversation with Mr. Len trading under the name of mind “Open All Hours”. loose biscuits, from which clean and well laundered Hudson regarding the Wilcock and Ashurst. I On entering the double the purchaser could choose by Mrs. Ashurst. Mr. and article about 779 Atherton understand that the fronted shop the first thing any selection of their choice Mrs. Ashurst owned the Road, Hindley Green in the premises had been to see was a large (no pre-packed stuff in shop until their retirement, summer issue of Past purchased from Storeys mahogany counter-top those days). Along the walls I think sometime in the late Forward. some years previously. shining and gleaming, of the shop where what 1960’s. Mr. Ashurst died The Wilcock of the having just been polished appeared to be pigeon shortly after and Mrs. I enclose a summary of partnership I never knew with loving care. This holes all built in mahogany. Ashurst bought a small my recollections from 1949 as the gentleman stretched around what I as These housed various bungalow in Edinburgh to the 1960’s. concerned had passed a small child thought to be household items. Situated Drive, Hindley Green. She I hope this information away some years before. a huge shop. There was a on the right hand side as lived to the ripe old age of will be of interest for your However, Mr. and Mrs. chair situated on the left you entered was the bacon 90 plus. Freda their next issue. Ashurst who owned the behind the door as you machine (hand operated of daughter married and Yours faithfully shop were (I thought) entered, where the course), cheese cabinet and went to live in Worcester. Ann Eccles (Mrs.) elderly, but looking back customer could sit whilst other items of dairy Mr. and Mrs. Ashurst 594 Wigan Road as an adult they must being served personally by produce. would have been very upset Atherton have been relatively Mr. Ashurst. You could also Tea and sugar were all today to see the demise of Nr. Manchester young! They had one place your order with him, weighed out by Mr. their well kept shop.

recorded. Miss Tyrer acted Information on detailed as secretary to the An interest in coal, Headmasters/ diaries wanted Headmistresses group in canals and Wigan Wigan. She records a visit Dear Mr. Gillies, were Arnold Morris and to the famous novelist, Dear Sir, You will be interested Robert Hanson. Hugh Walpole, living in the Please find enclosed cheque as subscription to know that my article My real purpose in Lake District. Much else of to “Friends of Wigan Heritage Service” for the year reproduced from The writing this letter is to seek general interest was to be 2000 and also membership of the same. My Guardian, appearing in the help of Past Forward culled from these diaries. interests are mainly connected with coal mining, Issue 22 of Past Forward, in tracing the detailed My attempts to track having worked for British Coal for 33 years. Also has encouraged a response diaries kept by Miss E.M. down the diaries have been my other interests are canals and local history of from one of your readers. Tyrer, Headmistress of unsuccessful. Dr. Tyrer Wigan and Ashton-in-Makerfield and the Mr. Fred Herst Junior of Warrington Lane Council died some years ago. The surrounding districts. Shevington has written to School. Her brother was hope is that his son, who I have been given a Lancashire poem/ode point out that his father, the Town Clerk at the time. studied languages and then writted by a Mary Smallshaw who is 87 years of who worked for One sequel of The switched to law, may still age and wondered was it worthy of inclusion in Monaghan’s Cloggers in Guardian article in 1984 have them. It is just one of the forthcoming editions. Warrington Lane, was a contact from a Dr. possible that some of your Pray in Thi Yed probably made the clogs Tyrer, living in Chepstow. readers may have contacts which lucky recipients like He was the nephew of Miss Aster prayed in thi yed? with the surviving Tyrers Un askt God fur ’is ’elp. myself received free from Tyrer, and he brought Miss and can assist in the Chief Constable’s Clog Tyrer’s diaries for 1931 and ’Specially, when tha’s cum unearthing these valuable Tu th’end o’ thi tether? and Stocking Fund. He 1932 to Portishead, where records. detailed the names of I was living at the time. I Well eaze thi mind mutual acquaintances, was intrigued to read Yours sincerely Un tell ’im aw. including Robert details of various events J.H. Ollerton Th’ll fond, he’s heard Ramsdale, one of four including the naming of 9 Fairfield Park Aw tha’s sed successful candidates to go four successful scholarship Broadstairs In thi yed. to Wigan Grammar School candidates in 1932. Much Kent. CT10 2JT Tha doesn’t need t’ tell im in 1932. The other two else of general interest was Tel: (01843) 860413 Who tha art Fur God knows us aw, Grammar School. She grandmother and my Un He’ll sort it eawt Happy has been researching her great grandfather were In He’s own way, families family history and brother and sister. We So pray in thi yed. discovered that her great are now in regular Keep up the good work you all are doing in producing Dear Sir, grandmother Ellen correspondence thanks Past Forward. I can’t wait for the next edition. Distance is certainly Gorner came from to Past Forward. no problem for Past Ashton-in-Makerfield, Yours truly, Forward. Madeline but had drawn a blank on A.R. Gorner Tony Haslam Carome of Sun Prairie, further information. 22 The Woodlands 15 Welbeck Road Wisconsin, U.S.A. read She wrote to me, and Lostock Park Ashton-in-Makerfield my letter in Issue 20 re from my family tree I Bolton Near Wigan Ashton-in-Makerfield discovered that her great BL6 4JD WN4 8AR 26 MASSEY BROS. OF WIGAN IN HIS SIGHTS From all at Dear Mr. Gillies, would be willing to lend for copying Thank you for another interesting photographs of vehicles, personalities, issue of the excellent Past Forward. I premises, etc. of these companies. Any wish my own local authority would such material would, of course, be Wigan produce a magazine of this quality. returned. You may have seen my two books Yours sincerely on Lancashire United Transport Eric Ogden published by the Transport Publishing 40 Burnedge Lane Co. Ltd. Of Glossop in 1974 and 1985, Grasscroft Heritage and I have a manuscript on Massey Bros., Oldham, Lancs. bus body builders of Wigan. My research OL4 4EA on these companies continues and I Tel: (01457) 873661 should like to hear from any reader who Service

Readers may be interested in the following letter from John Lees (aged 72), in response to a letter from Joe Brooks published in the Summer 1999 issue of Past Forward: to all “BUSKER HARRY IN THE BUCKET” (The name we called him) Dear Joe Brooks, His name was Harry Hostel which my late dad readers of Read your article in Bradshaw, an old soldier managed in Hardybutts, the Summer edition of from the 1914-18 war who Scholes and acted as a Past Forward. You had travelled as a clown ‘nightman’ looking after certainly described the with Fossitt’s Circus a the stoves and water Past Forward period of Wigan in the well known circus family boilers. He did this until he 30’s etc. very well. in another part of the passed away, after a short Not only can I identify country. He died in late illness, in the late 1950’s. with your description of 70’s and I have a the man with the bucket, photograph I took of him John Lees a Happy but I actually knew him, with my 620 box camera. 49 Sherwood Drive and even tried to stand The reason I know so Pemberton with my head in his much about Harry is that Wigan. bucket! he lodged at the Mens WN5 9QY Christmas

Since then I have been in contact “Old” Friends with ex-school friends, work mates and neighbours. and a Reunited When visiting my family in the Wigan area I have been able to meet Dear Sir, again with these “old” friends. Back in 1996 whilst making Another example of the power of arrangements to have the ashes of my late Prosperous Past Forward. mother consecrated at Lower Ince With all good wishes, Cemetery I shared a few lines of J. Pearson nostalgia with the young lady at the 1 Station Road cemeteries office. Those few lines Charfield New appeared as a letter in Past Forward Wotton-under-Edge issued number 14. Glos. GL12 8SY Millennium Published by Wigan Heritage Service, Leisure Services Department, Market Suite, Market Hall, The Galleries, Wigan WN1 1PX. The views expressed in this issue are not necessarily supported by Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council, or by its Recreation and Amenities Committee. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless so stated. Year Neither Wigan Council, nor the Editor, accept liability for any matter in this publication. Contributions are welcome but no responsibility can be taken for loss or damage to contributors’ material.

© Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council November 1999

27 Who? Where?

No suggestions - surprisingly - for the top four photographs in last issue’s Who? Where? But a positive identification of the bottom photograph, which shows the Home Guard parading in Warrington Road, Abram, in front of Willow Lodge, the home of the manager of Maypole Colliery. This may have been their last parade.

This time, we have a very mixed bag, which should produce a good response. All suggestions, please, to Len Hudson in Leigh Town Hall (01942) 404432.