FORWARDFORWARD ISSUE No. 21 SPRING 1999

The Newsletter of Heritage Service FREE *VSQ¤XLI News from the Archives Almond’s had many other houses in the district: in Ashton, 7 pubs and 4 off )HMXSV ANSWER to letter from Eileen Jolly in Past licences; in Billinge, the Forester’s Arms; Forward 19 re Almond’s Brewery and the in Dalton, the Ashurst Beacon Inn; 3 pubs Past Forward has come of number of houses it owned: each in Hindley, Ince and Orrell; the age! This is the 21st issue Bowling Green Inn at Digmoor; the of the newsletter. It has Dear Mrs. Jolly, come a very long way since Arms in Wrightington; and no its birth back in 1991, as the In the Archives we have a volume of rate less than 10 pubs and 3 off licences in worldwide mailing list, the assessments for all licensed premises within Wigan, including the Cherry Gardens and huge number of the Wigan Poor Law Union area, compiled Buck i’th’ Vine. contributions (both written between 1914 and 1931. This lists all pubs Regarding your grandmother Jane and financial) and numerous under each brewery or other owner. comments (fortunately Blundell, she is certainly listed in the virtually all favourable!) J.B. Almond owned the following Wigan Directory (1925/26) as licensee of clearly demonstrate. As houses in Standish: the ‘New’ Seven Stars, the address of which ever, I could easily produce was 225 Preston Road. In the 1932 three or four issues from the Black Bull, Market Street Standish rate book (here at Archives), the material to hand. My Black Horse, Church Street occupier of New Seven Stars is shown as apologies to all those who Horse Shoe, Wigan Road have contributed articles Edward Blundell up to 7 February 1932. Boars Head Inn, Wigan Road which have as yet not To find out precisely when Jane held the Original Seven Stars, Preston Road appeared in print - please be licence you would have to look at the [New] Seven Stars, Preston Road patient. licensing registers. Although we have the Wheatsheaf Hotel, Preston Road Another highly satisfying Wigan licensing records, Standish at that White Duck, High Street. aspect of Past Forward is its time came under Leyland Petty Sessional success in putting people in All the above had full licences except Court, and the licensing registers for that contact with each other. On many occasions, readers the Horse Shoe and the White Duck which court are available at Record have asked to be put in were beer houses. Office, Bow Lane, Preston. touch with a contributor of an article, or have sometimes contacted the person direct, HERITAGE SERVICE CONTACTS and a new friendship has Wigan begun. I have also often been told how someone Market Suite, The Galleries - looked at a photograph in Heritage Services Manager (and Editor of Past Forward) Past Forward, and there Alastair Gillies ...... (01942) 708354 was an ancestor from many Fax: ...... (01942) 704727 years ago looking back at them. There are further History Shop - examples of this spin-off Visitor Services Manager Philip Butler ...... (01942) 827594 service in this issue. Education and Outreach Manager (and Local History, West) Bob Blakeman ...... (01942) 827580 Thanks to all those readers Collections Development Manager Yvonne Webb...... (01942) 828123 who have expressed their Heritage Officer (Industrial History) Mike Haddon ...... (01942) 828121 views on the projected Heritage Officer (Social History) Dawn Wadsworth ...... (01942) 828124 Friends of Wigan Heritage Service - plans are Heritage Assistant Hilary Fairclough ...... (01942) 828122 progressing, and full details Heritage Assistant Barbara Miller ...... (01942) 828122 appear on p15. Do Heritage Assistant Stephanie Tsang ...... (01942) 828122 remember that this is being Local History enquiry desk ...... (01942) 828020 set up on a worldwide basis Fax: ...... (01942) 827645 - regardless of where you Wigan Pier - live in the world, please do Technician Denise Glassbrook-Byrne ...... (01942) 828564 become a Friend. Leigh Archives, Town Hall - All comments and Heritage Officer (Archives) Nicholas Webb ...... (01942) 404430 correspondence should be addressed to: Senior Technician Len Hudson ...... (01942) 404432 Fax: ...... (01942) 404425 Editor, ‘Past Forward’, Wigan Heritage Service, Market Suite, Turnpike Centre, Leigh Library - The Galleries, Heritage Officer (Local History) Tony Ashcroft ...... (01942) 404559 Wigan WN1 1PX Fax: ...... (01942) 404567

Cover: Wigan Parish Church, If you have an enquiry, and are not sure who the most appropriate person is to contact, from the corner of Bishopgate please ring the History Shop, Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU (01942) 828128. and Crawford street, 1892. You can also send an email: [email protected] 2 NewsNews FromFrom thethe ArchivesArchives Recent Accessions summary at the end of the list Springs Branch nearly 50 years Congregational Church, records that no less than 374 later; James Leigh, an engine Newton-le-Willows (burials AMONGST notable additions to people were summoned for man at the rate of 7s. [per day], from 1842)’ Hollinfare chapelry, our holdings are the following: drunkenness in 1879-80, more had originally been engaged in Warrington (oldest stone 1714); Ac. 3148: photograph of Leigh than one per day! It was this 1863 at the age of 15. Each entry St. Werbergh old church, Corporation bus decorated for problem of drunkenness that led records date of birth, occupation Warburton, Cheshire (oldest Silver Jubilee of George V, 1935. to the reform of the licensing (e.g. engine man, fireman, stone 1683). Acc. 3149: letter from James laws and the decline of the beer cleaner), date of engagement, Eckersely & Sons re wage rates house in the early 1900’s. wage rate, and other ‘remarks’ Recent research for spinners, 1854. such as death or transfer. It is topics Acc. 3151: planning registers for Important document unlikely that the information will Ince 1895-1974 and Standish conserved be recorded elsewhere, the The type of research carried 1957-74. Company archives at the P.R.O. out by people at the Archives A document of great value to for instance. Occasional varies greatly. Readers may be Acc. 3152: photograph of the students of local railways, as dismissals are recorded, for students, academics, family Gidlow Athletic F.C. 1911/12. well as family historians, has instance John Leach, a turner historians, council officers, Acc. 3154: sale catalogue for been repaired and is now dismissed in 1898 for neglect of commercial interests, and Brook Villa, Golborne, 1897 available for study. Entered on duty. individuals pursuing private (kindly deposited by Mr. the official forms for ‘Particulars The conservation work was research or legal matters. Mitchell of Arizona). of Staff Return’, it is a list of carried out by R-Craft of Recent research includes: Acc. 3156: papers re employees at Springs Branch Wakefield. nailmakers’ cottages and entertainments staged by station, Lower Ince, of the workshops at Atherton (English Tyldesley Home Guard. (See & North Western More inscriptions Heritage); Westleigh - detailed illustration below). Railway Company. Kindly published study of population, land- Acc. 3157: photograph of group donated by Mr. A. Taylor of holding, family reconstitution at Hospital, 1938. Wigan, the paper was so fragile In Past Forward 17 we and topography; land use in due to water damage that any Acc. 3158: printed schedules of described Graham Normansell’s Dalton; health in Wigan; rights attempt to turn the pages caused licensed premises and project to record memorial of way; civil war; Astley it to crumble to dust. convictions, Leigh Petty inscriptions at Emmanuel Hospital site; war memorials; Sessional Division, 1880. Compiled in the mid-1890’s, Church, Wargrave. He has now South Lancs. Tramways; the document lists about 400 N.B. This last document is completed similar volumes for Douglas Navigation; St. John’s men, some of whom had been particularly valuable. It was other churches in the area, and Hindley Green centenary; engaged as far back as the published to coincide with the has donated copies to the hedgerows; adoptions; house 1850’s. For example Thomas establishment of Leigh as a Petty Archives: St. Peter’s, Newton-le- histories; Wigan vehicle Heaton, born 2 March 1835 and Sessional Division, separate Willows (burials from 1737; licences. engaged in 1851, was still at from Warrington. The new earliest stone 1741); N.W. Division included Leigh, Astley, Atherton, Culcheth, Kenyon, Lowton and Tyldesley. The court registers (available at the Archives) date from 1880, but the licensing registers only from 1903, so this comprehensive list adds to our knowledge of Victorian pubs. For each house the name of the licensee and the date he or she commenced at the pub are given, as well as the type of licence and value of the house. Some of those listed began their occupation as early as the 1850’s; Richard Greenough had been at the Rope & Anchor in Leigh since 1834. Convictions during 1879 and 1880 are also recorded in the list. For example William Bennett at the King’s Arms in Lowton was find 20s. for selling gin that was 50% under proof. The list gives a dramatic picture of the importance of pubs in Victorian times: there were 85 fully licensed houses and no fewer than 150 beer houses (a few of which were licensed for billiards and bagatelle), besides 82 beer off licences! The 3 JOHN Fairclough JP was the eldest son of Borough in January 1919. For many years William Fairclough of Leigh. Born at Stone JOHN he had been organist at St. Joseph’s Church, House on 19 July 1854, he was baptised at a Grand Knight of the Knights of Columba, St. Joseph’s Roman by the first President of Leigh Catholic Club Father Middlehurst just two days later. FAIRCLOUGH and a member of the Council of the St. His education took place at Leigh Vincent de Paul Society. By 1903 Alderman Grammar School during the period of Ralph (1854-1923) Fairclough had become one of the first Passe’s headship. After leaving school he Borough Magistrates and in 1912 was became a partner in the firm of Fairclough elected to the County Bench. In the Brothers, builders merchants, which had following year during the Royal Tour of been established by his grandfather John Lancashire he had the honour of being Fairclough some 70 years earlier. presented to the King and Queen. On 21 October 1879 he married Maggie John Fairclough finally died at his home Unsworth (daughter of William Unsworth, (55 Church Street, Leigh) in July 1923 after Bond Street, Leigh). The marriage was a heart attack. solemnized at St. Joseph’s by Rev. Father T.A. Fanning. The ceremony was then followed by High Mass before the couple departed for Gerard Manley their honeymoon on the Isle of Wight. Although nothing extraordinary occurred at Hopkins the wedding at which Father Fanning was HOPKINS had been born at Stratford, assisted by Fathers Kavanagh, Wright and , on 28 July 1844 to Anglican Hopkins, the event inspired Gerard Manley parents. He eventually converted to Hopkins to pen his poem ‘At the Wedding Roman Catholicism during his March’: undergraduate days at Balliol College, Oxford, when the second wave of At the Wedding March conversions to Roman Catholicism, God with honour hang your head, inspired by John Henry Newman and Groom, and grace you, bride, your bed the Oxford Movement, took hold. He With lisson scions, sweet scions, John Fairclough was eventually received into the Out of hallowed bodies bred. police force under Superintendent Catholic Church by Cardinal Newman Higginbotham. The Fire Brigade was next himself on 21 October 1866. By May Each be other’s comfort kind: in the procession in their new uniforms, 1868 he had entered the Society of Deep, deeper than divined, under the command of Superintendent Jesus. Although up to this date he had been a prolific poet, Hopkins Divine charity, dear charity, Stainton. Behind them came all the Fast you ever, fast bind. ceremoniously burned his poems to Corporation officials. They walked to the renounce his career as a poet and it Then let the march tread our ears: church by way of Railway Road, was not until December 1875 that he I to him turn with tears Bradshawgate, Queen Street and Chapel began writing poetry again with ‘The Who to wedlock, his wonder wedlock, Street. Wreck of the Deutschland’, to Deals triumphant and immortal years. On 14 August 1900 Alderman commemorate the loss of life of 99 crew Greenough CC, Deputy Mayor, presented and 113 passengers (including five First Mayor of Leigh Mr. Fairclough with a badge and medallion Franciscan nuns) in a storm. (from an anonymous donor) which formed Following his ordination in In May 1888 John Fairclough became the nucleus of a mayoral chain. The badge September 1877, Hopkins became first associated with Leigh Local Board consisted of “a large gold medallion bearing somewhat a peripatetic priest, when he was elected in place of Thomas the borough coat of arms and enamelled eventually moving to St. Joseph’s at Norbury. He represented Pennington Ward pictures of Leigh Parish Church, Market Bedford for three months between until 1984 when the Leigh Urban District Place and Technical School. In the upper October and December 1879, before transferring to St. Xavier’s at Liverpool. Council was formed. He continued a part is the Mayor’s monogram ‘JF’ surmounted by a gold crown. A mace and His final move was to Dublin where he member for the Central Ward until 1989 was appointed Fellow in Classics at the sword jut out from the main portion of the when the Borough was incorporated. After Royal University of Ireland and medallion and at the foot are the words this he was elected member for Lilford Professor at University College, St. Ward until 9 November 1899 when he was ‘Incorporated 1899’. Medallion encircled Stephen’s Green. He contacted typhoid unanimously appointed the first Mayor of by blue ribbon. The makers being the fever and died on 8 June 1889. the Borough. Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co, 112 Although virtually unknown poetically The first Mayor’s Sunday occurred on Regent Street, London.” in his lifetime it was through his 12 November 1899 when John Fairclough Freeman of the Borough correspondence with Robert Bridges attended a service at St. Joseph’s Roman and Bridges’ edited version of Hopkins’ Catholic Church. The procession started For his commitment to a long public poems, which first appeared in January from Leigh Technical School at 10.30 am. It service career in which he served on most of 1919, that the public became aware of was headed by St. Joseph’s Brass Band, all the important committees Alderman this unique poetic voice. following on came about 40 members of the Fairclough was conferred a Freeman of the 4 The illustrious ‘Little’ Steve IN 1868 a policeman patrolling first time in 1924, Mr. Walsh along Chapel Street, Liverpool, became Secretary of State for War saw a small boy near St. Nicholas’s with a seat in the Cabinet. There Church trying to shelter from the was something incongruous about bitter January weather. He was this Minister, who was only five poorly clad and when asked where feet tall, giving orders to stiff, he lived said that he did not know. beribboned generals. However, his The policeman took him in charge, intelligence and personality carrying him on his shoulders, quickly won over the Army chiefs. “ . . . meanwhile”, the boy was to Although small in stature, write later, “chatting to me so mentally he was a giant. As a merrily that I forgot my troubles miners’ agent it was said that if and enjoyed the ride.” The officer Stephen Walsh could not get a could hardly have been expected concession from the coal-owners to know that he was carrying a there was no concession to be had. future cabinet minister on his He was a Shakespearean scholar shoulders! and could pick up any quotation Stephen was first taken to the given him and carry on until asked workhouse. The register gives his to stop. number as 9747. He was admitted to the Kirkdale Industrial School Apt quotations and on 31 January 1868, his age being literary allusions given as eight, his father dead and his being deserted by his mother In the House of Commons, his “. . .who was not resident in a speeches always contained apt workhouse”. He was happy there, quotations and literary allusions. and wrote later, “I was well cared It was said that Arthur for and, without straining (afterwards Lord) Balfour, the imagination too far, I think I may Tory Leader, listened intently to say that I became a politician. The this man who was born in the teachers used to be kind enough King George V and Queen Mary with Mr. Stephen Walsh, slums of Liverpool, untrained in to lend me illustrated papers and Secretary of State for War in the first Socialist Government, 1924. the Parliamentary arts, I vividly remember being addressing the greatest assembly fascinated by a portrait of Mr. in the world in a manner equal though it was, gave him a great over 90 years later, the seat - now Gladstone. From that time on Mr. and sometimes superior to many advantage over his fellow miners, the Makerfield Division - is the Gladstone was my hero and I of those around him. His speeches most of whom were illiterate. safest of the Labour strongholds. followed his career with absorbed may have been flavoured with From the age of 14 he passed His maiden speech, delivered only interest. In later years I forsook classical allusions and quotations, through all the grades days after taking his place in Liberalism but Mr. Gladstone was but always the substance was the underground from haulage hand Parliament, was received with certainly one of the most potent condition of the people and the to coal-face worker. When he first great approval on both sides of the influences on my early life.” urgent necessity for improvement. became connected with mining House. In 1908, a private Walsh died in March 1929. Born with great gifts trade unionism there was no member’s bill introduced by Telegrams were received from the county federation, only a number Walsh won for the miners, for the Such was his progress at the King and Queen, the War Office, of local unions. In time he was first time ever, an eight-hour day. Lloyd George and countless school that he wished to stay on to elected check-weighman at In 1912 during a miners’ strike for become a teacher but the principal others. When the cortege left Garswood Hall Collieries and a minimum wage, Mr. Asquith, the Swinley Road, Wigan on its five- considered him to be too small to when Sam Wood became the Prime Minister, brought in a bill control the children. The Kirkdale mile, one-and-a-half hours Member of Parliament for Ince in establishing the principle. Walsh journey to Downall Green, long Committee minutes of 10 1892, Walsh was his trusted fought hard to have amounts December 1873 contain the ranks of bare-headed miners who lieutenant. In 1885 he married inserted but when his had left the coal face early to pay following: “an application has Annie Adamson, a “pit-brow amendments failed he urged his been received from John Walsh of their last respects, lined the street. lassie”, at the colliery where he colleagues to support the bill. He Downall Green, Ashton-in- In an inspiring graveside address, worked and they were to have ten caused a sensation in the House Makerfield, for his brother Canon Raven, who represented children. In 1901 he became the saying, “I am a citizen before I am Stephen”. It is not known how the Bishop of Liverpool, said miners’ agent for Wigan, which a trade unionist and if the national John Walsh reached Downall “living under conditions which meant leaving Downall Green and interests were in danger I would Green from Liverpool and at 19 existed in parts of this living in Swinley Road, Wigan, a support the State”. neighbourhood, with its wastage years of age would not be condition of the appointment During the 1914-18 war he of human life, its tragedies, considered. However Stephen was being that the successful candidate campaigned vigorously on behalf poverty, suffering and endurance discharged on 7 January 1874 “to must reside in the area. friends”. The 1881 census shows of the war effort and served in the and knowing how enormously Stephen Walsh living at 43 Caused a sensation in wartime coalition, first as complex were the causes of those evils, it was difficult not to despair. Downall Green with Matthew the House Parliamentary Secretary of Picton, a coal miner and his wife National Service from 1917-19 as There were those who claimed Anne, both aged 40. Stephen went In 1906, as a Labour Secretary to the Local that they could not turn poor stock to work in the pits, earning 1d an Representation Committee Government Board. It was a bitter into good and that nothing could hour for a 60 hour week, “. . .less candidate he won the Ince Division blow to the Walsh family when, in be got out of a slum but a slum than a £1 a month to keep body from Colonel Blundell, a local April 1917, Captain Arthur mind. Thank God Stephen Walsh and soul together”. He had been colliery owner, by a large majority. Walsh, M.C. their eldest son, was stands as a witness that both of born with great gifts and found In all he was to win seven elections killed in . When the Labour those statements are untrue.” that his education, elementary before retiring in 1929 and today, Government took office for the © James Fairhurst 5 1999 commemorates 150 years since the death of Miss Weeton, Governess, of Upholland. After his introduction to Miss Weeton in Past Forward 20, Alan Roby continues with the story of Miss Weeton’s parentage and her early life at Lancaster and why, along with her mother and brother, she came to settle at Upholland, near Wigan:

Nelly. The name was chosen strength, Captain Weeton was by Mrs Weeton because her hit by a “chain shot” which ELLEN WEETON husband was en voyage in the “ripped off the side of his face (1776-1849) Nelly at the time of her birth. whilst he was shouting orders Their third child was Margaret through a trumpet to his men who lived but a fortnight and in the shrouds.” Soon GOVERNESS fourth was Thomas who was afterwards the American ship born in January 1781. made off in a sinking state but the Nelly somehow remained From Lancaster to Upholland Captain Weeton’s suc- afloat. The crew took him to cesses at sea had, by the year nearby Jamaica where he lived 1782, accumulated for himself for a few days. He was buried A BRIEF entry of baptism which carried a Letter of the colossal sum of £12,000. there on 11 September, 1782. in the registers of St. John’s Marque. This meant that in He then decided to give up his any successful engagements Parish Church, Lancaster, seafaring activities but the Defrauded states: “Nelly, daughter of with the enemy there was the idea was over-ruled by his Captain Weeton, 29 prospect of a share of prize employers. They promised Mary Weeton’s great loss money for himself. Brave and January, 1777”. Ellen him that if he would go to sea was compounded by enterprising he took a number subsequently being defrauded Weeton (christened Nelly) of prizes against American was born on Christmas of all her husband’s prize ships in the Caribbean and money, as well as other Day 1776. Thomas Weeton, returned safely to Lancaster property gained through his her father, was born at where he received many voyages. Though making Scale Hall, near Lancaster congratulations. Songs many applications to the in 1748 and had married in were composed in his Rawlinsons, she never 1770(?) Mary Rawlinson of honour and sung in received a single pound, nor Preston. Lancaster’s any information regarding At the time of Ellen’s the manner in which his birth Thomas was in the property was disposed of. Suffering a deep employ of the Rawlinsons (a depression of spirits and very distant relation to his her health impaired wife’s family), who were a through an accumulation Lancaster family of of losses - in a period of shipowners and of no little six months she had lost importance in the city. her husband, her own Before the American War of mother and a fortune of A Privateer. Armed merchantmen carrying at least 18 guns and Independence, Thomas Weeton at least £12,000. She then 40 men were licensed to attack and capture ships of enemy coun- was captain of a merchantman decided to plan a new life for tries. The above sketch is of the Lancaster-built 22 gun priva- employed in the African slave herself and her two remaining teer, the ‘Thetis’, based on a model in Lancaster Maritime trade. At the outbreak of war in children. Museum. The ‘Nelly’ commanded by Thomas Weeton in 1776 1776 he was commissioned to would have been very similar. Now it so happened that command a privateer (a Mrs. Weeton had, through her privately equipped war ship), mother, a connection with the streets; the songsters on once more, on his return he with permission to engage the ancient village of Upholland, occasions stopping outside his would find all his debts settled enemy. His ship’s name was the near Wigan. Mrs. Weeton’s home at the top of Church Street and his prize money awaiting Nelly. mother was a sister to an to proclaim repeated cheers. him. Unfortunately he Brave and acquiesced and never again Upholland brewer by the enterprising During this period his wife returned to . News name of Randal Smith. She bore him four children: eventually reached Lancaster had married a Preston butcher Captain Weeton clearly Edward was the first born who that in an engagement with an by the name of Richard excelled in his captaincy, died aged three, next was American ship of superior ➯ 6 Rawlinson with whom she had Mary Weeton and her two his wife; Mr. J. Clayton, was found inadequate to support three daughters: Elizabeth sisters, Elizabeth and likewise a clergyman and his the three of them. who married Mr. T. Ditchfield Margaret had, considering the wife (a sister of Mrs. Thomas had been sent to of Preston, Mary who married time in which they lived, Braithwaite); the Rev. R. Mr. Braithwaite’s nearby Mr. T.Weeton of Lancaster and received a good education. Braithwaite and Captain “most excellent” school for Margaret who married Mr. T. Mary in particular had been Taylor and his wife.” boys at. He was a day scholar Wigan of Wigan. fortunate enough to have had The views from the cottage there until his education was a good grounding in the social and garden “were extensive, complete. Ellen herself did not Last days in graces. In an effort to improve romantic and beautiful”, so attend a school but was an avid Upholland her mind and manners she had wrote Ellen Weeton in her reader and was also taught by read much and became a Prior to her death, old Mrs. Retrospect in 1809. Both Ellen her mother. In addition an lady’s maid to a Miss Rawlinson (Mrs. Weeton’s and Thomas were very happy usher from Mr. Braithwaite’s Hoghton, sister to Sir Henry mother), had expressed a desire but Mrs. Weeton was school regularly attended Mrs. Hoghton of Walton Hall, near to spend her last days in increasingly unhappy. Her little Weeton’s home to teach Preston. For 12 months she Upholland, the place of her income, which had been via a writing, grammar, arithmetic and Lady Hoghton had birth. Shortly beforehand Mrs. very small estate at Sunderland, and a little geography. Ellen travelled together to various Weeton had promised that she near Heysham, Lancashire, southern counties of England. would go to Upholland with her, even with the strictest economy, Continued on page 8. but now alone she decided to Pretty cottage continue with this plan. She was garden somewhat encouraged in this by Now drawing on her past her sister, Margaret, then living experience, Mary Weeton in Upholland who told her that soon became acquainted with “both rents and coals were the principal families of much lower than in Lancaster.” Upholland and neighbour- Mrs. Weeton, with Ellen hood. In her pretty cottage aged seven and Thomas aged garden, which was on a steep three, came to begin their new incline at the rear of the life in Upholland in May 1784 property, on “many occasions and rented a little cottage in she entertained Mr. Church Street. Braithwaite, a clergyman and

Church Street, Upholland c.1913. Mrs Weeton, together with her daughter, Ellen and son Thomas came to live in what Ellen later described as “A pretty cottage, elevated from the road by a flight of steps to the front door, and a kind of gallery across the front of the house guarded on the open side by a row of white rails. At one end of the house was a little gate which opened into a pretty little garden on the side of a hill . . .” Edward Hall, editor of Miss Weeton: Journal of a Governess suggests that ‘the cottage’ pictured right (now demolished) with the white front, answers the description. It was sited immediately opposite the garden of ‘The Priory’, home of Rev and Mrs J Braithwaite. The three-storey building in the foreground is thought to have been taken at some stage by Mrs Weeton who started her dame school after four years in the village shortly before its demolition earlier this century it was known as ‘the ghost house’. The site is now the car park to the White Lion inn. 7 ELLEN WEETON (1776-1849) MARGARET BARTON (1752-1813) GOVERNESS MARGARET Barton was one of Miss her Aunt loaned her a penny. Unfortunately From Lancaster to Upholland Weeton’s two aunts on her mother’s side of the wound became badly infected and ––––– the family. She was the youngest of three caused her to be confined for four months Continued from page 7 sisters born to Mr and Mrs Richard with thoughts that she might have to lose Rawlinson of Preston. Margaret married her leg. During this period her Aunt only firstly Mr T Wigan, a solicitor, of Wigan, who very occasionally called to see her and showed a natural ability for predeceased her. There was no offspring. never once suggested that she should reading and scribbling rhymes. She married secondly Mr T Barton, a receive medical assistance. That would, of The family had been resident saddler by trade, of Wigan, who, upon course, have meant her providing the in Upholland for four years when retirement, decided to settle at Upholland. money for doctor’s fees. Mrs. Weeton was forced to Again there was no offspring. Miss Weeton ultimately benefited in her increase her income. She It is clear from Miss Weeton’s letters Aunt’s will by receiving the sum of £5. decided to start a dame school. that her Aunt Barton was financially very Margaret Barton died at the age of 61 in From then on mother and comfortably off and loved money for its 1813 and was buried alongside Mrs daughter began a life of “virtual own sake. The fact that she had no children Weeton, her sister. Her gravestone slavery”. of her own meant that her “concerns were removed from its original position, is now but small”. At a time of personal crisis for one of many old gravestones relaid as ● The next issue of Past Miss Weeton, through no fault of her own, flagstones to form a paved area at the foot Forward will detail Miss and in need of moral and financial support, of the main entrance steps of Upholland Weeton’s life in Upholland her Aunt was not very helpful. After the churchyard. (See photograph below). and her temporary removal death of her mother, Miss Weeton had Thomas Barton outlived his wife by 17 from 1808-1809 to Liverpool. been playing with some little children, at years. He died on 21 October 1820, aged In addition will be a profile which time she received a violent bruise to 78. Thomas had been more charitable on Miss Weeton the great her ankle. After a few days the wound towards his niece than was his wife. Miss walker; also two of Miss began to “gather”. Her Aunt went to see Weeton benefited in his will by the sum of Weeton’s loyal Upholland her niece and said: “Why do you not get a £60 (less legacy duty). The whole amount friends, the good, but worldly poultice?” Miss Weeton blushed and was immediately forfeited to her then Rev. and Mrs. J. Braithwaite, confessed that she had no money. At this husband, Aaron Stock. of ‘The Priory’. BOB DOBSON Publisher and Book Dealer LANCASHIRE YORKSHIRE & CHESHIRE

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8 A POOLSTOCK CHILDHOOD I WAS born in 1919 on the There was a corner and election address and on each desk there was ‘island’ of Poolstock with a shop which sold nearly c.1920 pinned to our frocks a small sponge. When it was sister two years older than everything. My mother singing - time to erase our workings I. We lived in a rented, would send us with old along the tow path dangling Vote, vote, vote for the teacher would come Victorian house which had newspapers which were a jam jar on a piece of Sidney Wild. along with a large sponge three bedrooms, bathroom, used to wrap vegetables, string into the water and He is the best man for and a bowl of water and front room, middle room, and the shopkeeper would she fell in. Fortunately there the job, squeeze a little water onto kitchen and scullery. give us a twist of paper was a canal boat in the area and if you don’t get each pupil’s slate. In the kitchen there was containing sweets - usually and the owner fished her him in, Mother always baked a large black range (which dolly mixtures or out. I think that this was we will kick your door the bread - 6 lbs of flour, 2 needed black leading) with sometimes aniseed balls probably why my mother in, oz. of yeast - which she a steel fender and large which I preferred because was determined that her and you won’t see would knead on the rug in fireguard. There was a large they lasted longer. daughters should learn to your mother any front of the fire. She seemed scrub topped dresser, a Across the road lived swim. Firstly she taught more to bake every other day and similar table and a corner the headmistress of St. herself and then she taught (We didn’t mean it!) we were allowed to have the cupboard. Most of the James’ Infants School; her us. We attended church scrapings from the bowl cooking was done on the which we would mould into fire and in the oven of the something recognisable - range but we did have a gas but by the time we had ring in the scullery where finished the dough was grey there was also a large sink, in colour. a slop stone, copper boiler When I was four years and a mangle for washing old I contracted typhoid clothes. fever and was admitted to From the scullery door Whelley Sanatorium. As the four steps led down to the ambulance took me away back yard where there was my mother wondered an out-house in which a whether she would see me cockerel and hens were again. I can recall some kept. I was terrified of the instances of my time in the cockerel who seemed to hospital - seeing my parents strut about menacingly and looking at me through a always appeared to have his window and having to stand beady eye on me. to attention by my cot when In front of the house the Medical Officer, Dr. there was a long garden Whitehead, did his rounds. with a path from the gate to When I was getting better I the front door running was allowed to walk to along one side. To the left of Matron’s house in the this path my father daughter taught dancing in There was quite a gang and Sunday School. There grounds to take the post. At attempted to grow a lawn, the front room and she of boys and girls who lived was a great community spirit Christmas I helped the sister and a family story goes that, would arrange concerts at in the area, not much traffic surrounding the church. I to string up autumn leaves on coming home from the school. I remember and very little crime - one vaguely remember a fancy which had been collected work one day, he found my being taught the “Sailor’s could leave the door ‘on the dress party in which I was and dried. They made a sister leading me by the Hornpipe”. When I was two latch’. dressed as a bride, together colourful decoration. hand and walking all over years old I was taught a I haven’t mentioned my with Leslie Duckworth who In 1925 our parents told his newly planted grass simple dance at the end of father yet. He was working was my ‘bridegroom’. I us that we were moving to a seed. On being admonished which I was told to “bow to long hours in order that we think his hat only stayed on brand new house. This was she replied that she had Margaret”. On the night of might have a reasonable his head courtesy of his ears. near the ‘New Road’ as only been showing me the concert Margaret was in life. I remember his taking My sister won a leather Mesnes Road was called at where I had not to go! the wings at the back of the us to collect eggs from the music case dressed as that time. We would go to a Next door but one to us stage - so, of course, I hens and for walks along a crinoline lady. (See new school and have new was a brewery, and every so turned my back on the the canal. He was photographs above). friends, so we had to get often water would be audience and bowed to her! persuaded to stand for At day school, which I used to a fresh environment. discharged from the Behind the houses election to the Town attended at five years old, we It was exciting but that is building and with it came opposite was the canal. One Council and four of us learned multiplication tables another story! dozens of rubber bands day my sister and some children walked arm in arm parrot fashion - I can still say Pauline Walker which we collected - though friends were attempting to along the road on election them all to this day. We had Aspull what for remains a mystery! catch ‘cockies’ by running day with his photograph slates and chalk to write with Wigan 9 In the third extract from the Memories from the life of James Albert Davies, the author recalls his experiences as a young teacher during the 1930’s. Memories from the life of James Albert Davies IN the October of 1932, on the Saturday before When I visited County Hall to winter, but water from the the Harvest Sunday at the Chapel, I had taken discuss my future, I had fire-engines had frozen and become one of their statistics, turned the area into a huge Mary Taylor out for the first time; I had and a few weeks before my skating rink which I didn’t known her for years at the Chapel, but had final exam I was approached notice quickly enough on steadfastly refused earlier involvement by the County Organiser with turning into the entrance, and a request to take over the my bike went one way and I because of home circumstances and having teaching of Workshop went another! little to look forward to in way of a future. As Practice at Worsley Tech, near The workshop was in a soon as I knew that I was ‘on my way’, and Manchester, for the duration part of the school which of the Summer Term (Easter wasn’t touched by the fire, and that I could and would succeed in becoming a to July). I leapt at the chance, most of my time there was teacher, we joined forces, and never looked providing I was released for spent on dividing the chapel back! my Final exam dates. It meant for use as a school, with a longer day away from home portable screens as the chapel I had a major problem arrangements (with his (I cycled there of course, but was needed for Sunday posed by the final year of agreement, as I couldn’t it wasn’t just across the worship (it was a Methodist my course at the Tech; a otherwise enter school fields), but I was determined Church and day school). The full-time year, which would premises). to look to my own affairs a bit lads learned a lot, but not include an essential six Very demanding more; Marjorie was well into perhaps the normal tuition months teaching practice her teens and able to fend for provided in a school before sitting, was the usual The correspondence herself a lot more, and I was workshop. course proved very still around in the evenings The ‘other half’ of that job procedure, but I could and weekends to help out. in had its afford neither the time demanding of time, and I soon found myself behind problems also; I was supposed away from home nor the schedule; rules were strict re * * * * * * to teach bee-keeping as well expense. Instead, I elected returning Instruction and as woodwork - hives in an to take a correspondence Question papers on time, Once I was through my area out in the school grounds course and arranged to do otherwise no further exams and so a qualified - but as I knew nothing of the six months teaching dispatches, and on more than teacher of Workshop Practice, bees, and didn’t want to know practice in a nearby school one occasion I had to get I promptly started looking for anything, we played a lot of (unpaid) in Babylon Lane Marjorie to copy them for me a position. For a time I was in football that month. The in Adlington, which to deal with later (and to limbo, but soon was kept busy workshop doubled up as a return the originals on time!). ‘filling-in’ for absent teachers, domestic science room on the enabled me to cope with alternate days, and I household matters pre- There was little time for arranged by the County pleasure, and Mary suffered, Organiser. One such job remember going into the 9.00 am and during the but we survived. Lack of time covered a joint appointment at storeroom for my bike at the lunch period, and be home due to studying meant that I Abbey Village/Shevington, end of the day and finding a in time after close of school couldn’t get out to make the where the teacher had been young woman (the Domestic to have everything ready money for my Final fees (ten ‘played off’ with a nervous Science teacher) changing for the workers’ return. guineas), so I had to borrow breakdown. When I arrived at into riding habit - she came to I was summoned to attend the money and repay it from Abbey Village on the Monday school on a horse! on the Director of Education my first month’s pay as a morning to take over (20 at County Hall, Preston, who teacher. February 1936) I found that * * * * * * wanted me to wait until they It was during this period the school had been burnt could find me a paid post in that I bought my first bicycle, down on Saturday night/ The following school year which to fulfil the six months as it was obvious that Sunday morning, and quite was bleak in regard to teaching practice requirement, travelling was about to literally I entered the place on teaching work, but I wasn’t but this would have meant a increase - I entered into a hire- my backside. I had cycled idle; Marjorie was at home, year’s delay to which I was purchase arrangement with over from home in , leaving me free to go about totally opposed, and in the end the local dealer, and from then and met no problems on the and earn enough as a I carried out my original on life became a bit easier. roads, even though it was ➯ 10 journeyman to keep us in what Practice teachers, either the West Riding, and true to me that the Lancashire we really needed. Father through retirement (enforced) their promise they were Education Authority could do thought that holidays and or death. had such offering me the job if I was more for me than the West anything which wasn’t a teacher, who had died still interested and available. I Riding. As he had essential were a complete suddenly during the Summer immediately informed the surprisingly agreed to remedy waste of money, but Marjorie holidays, hence the urgent Head and told him that I was some of the unsatisfactory needed more than basics and appeal to me! going over there the following conditions (the ones over got some of the pleasures day to see what was on offer; which he had control) I through my help. Like me Wasn’t happy he was none too pleased, couldn’t refuse the new she’d little to thank father for I made it perfectly clear to pointing out that teachers promises and agreed to wait a during this still difficult them that I wasn’t happy with usually stayed on a job for little while longer. Within period of our lives, but the situation, but as they had three years. Naturally I weeks I was notified that I was between us we kept things helped me in the past, I would pointed out that my situation to take over the workshop at ticking over fairly well. take the job on the wasn’t a usual one, and that I Hindley & Abram Grammar Sunday School and Chapel understanding that I was free wasn’t bound to the job in any School on the two days per were involving us to a greater to leave it if and when what I way. Later in the morning a week, which would put me on extent; I had undertaken the really wanted appeared - no message came through to the the Burnham Scale. I later secretarial work, and Mary ties. The Director assured me workshop to say that I was learned that the joiner/teacher was the School pianist. The that they also were dissatisfied wanted on the phone - an irate at Hindley had been sacked by social life was much stronger with the three-day post, and Director of Education from the Head and I often wondered then than it is now, with few that they were looking for two County Hall demanding that I whether my interview with the free weekends and many days elsewhere to make it the be in attendance there the Director had any bearing on midweek activities - the time regular full-time appointment, following morning at 9.00 am. the decision. passed quickly. I had a on the Burnham Scale. After I agreed to see him, but Two grammar schools, 40 workshop at home where I another week’s holiday in Old had already made up my mind miles apart, was hardly an started to think about future Colwyn, I took up the position that I was going on to ideal situation, but as I lived needs, in between working to of Woodwork teacher at Wakefield after the interview; in between and the journey to pay the bills. Haslingden Grammar at the he was angry about me even Hindley was easy, the hassle Much of our leisure was beginning of the 1937/8 thinking of going over to the wasn’t much worse than what spent on our bikes. Mary school year, for ‘as long as I West Riding, and wanted to I was already suffering. I hadn’t much after a full week wanted it’. The hourly rate of know why - he had promised immediately claimed the extra in the mill and again it was a pay was far in excess of the to regularise my post but I allowance for keeping two case of making the most of scale rate for teachers, almost hadn’t given him enough time, sets of equipment in order, and what we had and striving for a twice as much for three days and there were ‘things in the coupled with the travelling better future. as the rate was for five days. pipeline’. I pointed out that and meals allowances, was Towards the end of the No pay for days off or there were other difficulties, better off financially at least - summer of 1937 the County holidays, sickness, etc, so such as a long, tedious and and was still free to look offered me a three-day per though it seemed an attractive expensive journey and that I around for something more week teaching job situation it obviously didn’t couldn’t move up there on a convenient. (permanent) at Haslingden have any future and the sooner three-day basis, that the long I was very soon ‘in Grammar School, and though I was out of it and in a regular days meant costly eating out, trouble’ at Hindley; the Head it wasn’t really what I wanted, situation, the better. and on top of all the hassle tried to insist that I wore a hat after due consideration I The Head made it clear to there wasn’t enough of my to school - he’d seen me arrive accepted the post pending a me that he wanted Workshop pay left to make the job without, and it was a strict rule more suitable position Practice putting on a worthwhile - and that I had that they be worn! I replied transpiring. Workshop professional footing and taken the job on pending politely that I never wore a Practice wasn’t taken prepared for external exams something better, and hat, and couldn’t see how I seriously in grammar schools like all other subjects, Wakefield was offering me could possibly be subjected to at that time, being more or less thinking that it would be of just that. such a rule - I was a member regarded as light relief from benefit to his less academic of staff, not a pupil, and was the more important academic pupils. I worked hard there to Listened quietly immediately threatened with a subjects, but there were signs get rid of the play-room To all this he listened Governors’ Meeting. I of change and expressed image, and enjoyed the work quietly, and before I knew couldn’t believe what I was intentions of it becoming as even though it meant almost a what was happening a clerk hearing, and asked him to call important as most other 12 hour day. Haslingden was had been sent for to take notes an immediate meeting and subjects. Originally the local a difficult place to get to from - that I was to be paid all settle the issue. After a bit of joiner was brought in to Coppull (three buses, travelling expenses, also a blustering on his part he supervise this light relief - sometimes four); the long and generous meals allowance, climbed down and admitted uncertificated, and thus not on expensive journey soon began and that in a matter of weeks that he couldn’t have me the official payscale but paid to pall! he would find me another two dismissed for such a reason (I by the hour. By now most of Early in 1938 I received days in another school to knew full well that he them had been replaced by word from Wakefield that regularise my position as a couldn’t) but he would have certificated Workshop there was a vacancy arising in certificated teacher, assuring Continued on page 12 11 in my work as a teacher - the shirts - but on reaching Rhyl finished up smashed in the Memories from the work for which I was the weather was glorious and valley below, often with employed. we lay in the sun and dried fatalities. life of It was a good school, out. We finally arrived at Another memorable event James Albert staffed by teachers who had Colwyn about 10 pm, but was a weekend in Davies been there a long time and knew our accommodation was , when we decided ––––– who knew how to get good safe, and spent all week to go by the scenic route via exam results, and I was soon roaming the ranges, free as the the Trough of Bowland, and Continued from page 11 conformed to their routine wind, whereas previously we again it was a much harder (mostly) and traditions, had always been tied to coach ride than we’d anticipated - including the post-lunch and mealtimes and the we were faced with a very seen to it that I wouldn’t have ‘wander’ up the road to the ‘tourist’ ways. strong head-wind all the way been appointed if he’d known park - every male member A long weekend in through and the climbs were I wasn’t going to wear a hat! (except the Head) with a Llangollen was a further steep. At the time there were First round to me, but it courtesy apology to the Senior venture by tandem, but when gates across the road at was only the first of many. I Master if you missed it for we arrived we weren’t very intervals (sheep control) and made it clear in the beginning some reason! With impressed with the area and we were on and off like that the workshop was a class experience I learned that the decided to go on to Old grasshoppers to open them for room, like any other, and not Head’s bark was worse than Colwyn, only another 50 progress and close them a repair shop for the school. his bite; he enjoyed miles - but we’d overlooked behind us to keep sheep flocks There were many favours to quarrelling with staff! the notorious Horse Shoe Pass separated, with sheep all over the school which I would en route. We had to ‘walk’ a the road on either side of them. undertake as long as they * * * * * * long way to the summit, and The scenery was magnificent, served some purpose in the again arrived very late in but we couldn’t give it our teaching of boys, but the Life began to take on a bit Colwyn where we luckily individual attention. regular routine work (until found our usual We had another mad caper now) of repairing smashed more shape; we were heavily involved in Church activity accommodation was open to when once again we were en desks, doors, etc, was ‘out’ us even without a booking. route for Wales; I taught from now on. I was employed and able to get around more on pleasure. All the hard work Wednesday and Thursday at as a teacher, not a ‘Four-in-hand’ Hindley Grammar and being journeyman, and firms in the and sacrifices were bringing their rewards and we started to driver free of my Friday town would undertake such commitment at Haslingden, work. make amends for all that we had to forgo during the years A further long weekend we decided to get off straight Tyrannical fads of struggling. It hadn’t been venture was a visit to after school from Hindley and easy for Mary during that Penmaenmawr, during which head for Colwyn on a long Another of the Head’s period, living as she was with we rode the Sychnant pass; the weekend. I went to school on tyrannical fads was insisting guardians, and working in the climb up from Conway wasn’t the tandem on Thursday on open windows, even in mill which she disliked as bad as other ‘mounts’ we’d morning and arranged to meet winter, something else I intensely. made, but the ride down into Mary on Wigan Station to wouldn’t accept. I pointed out In the July of 1938 we had Penmaenmawr was a catch a train to Warrington as that I was responsible for made coach and accom- nightmare - much too steep we were making a late start. safety in the workshop and modation reservations again and winding for a tandem, We changed into riding gear in was not having boys handling for a holiday in Old Colwyn, which is faster and more the guard’s van and packed the razor-sharp tools in a ‘fridge’ but on the Tuesday before we difficult to control round panniers when we suddenly - and I won that one, and many were due to leave I purchased bends than a solo machine. realised that we were stopped more as they cropped up a tandem bicycle (snap Luckily for us we met nothing at Warrington and needed to during the course of normal decision) and after one trial run on the road down - we needed exit quickly (with the tandem) school practice. When the we decided to go down to Old all of it, not just our own half, or be taken on to Crewe. The others learned of the ‘war’ I Colwyn on it and abandon the and were travelling much too risky exit won the vote, and was fighting they gave me a coach booking - a ‘mad fast for comfort when we with the help of a porter who week before the ‘chop’, decision’ apparently (her passed through a little hamlet saw what was happening we pointing out that he’d sacked guardians certainly thought so at the bottom, again without got away with it - jumping a my predecessor; but I assured and did their best to dissuade mishap as the road was clear, moving train, with a tandem in them that there was no danger us, to no avail!). We had a and we arrived back at our tow, wasn’t easy but at least of the same fate befalling me wonderful holiday, after taking digs in one piece. Our host Mary wouldn’t have been as I was a certificated teacher, all day to get there, stopping at there was a ‘four-in-hand’ injured - she was out first! not a journeyman in the direct every place of interest (thought driver in his younger days, The venture gave us a good employ of the Head, and that I would never get her past and took a lot of convincing long weekend, and as usual he couldn’t sack me, and that Chester at one stage) and many that we really had ‘ridden the we enjoyed every minute of it. I would never give him the wayside tea-and-cake roadside pass’. He believed it to be She loved that bike (except chance of reporting me to the cottages. We ran into rain impossible and told us that when it was windy) and the higher authorities for beyond Chester and got soaked coaches often went off the freedom it gave us - we had misdemeanour or defaulting - we were riding in shorts and road at the worst bends and been tied down for too long! 12 This is the story of an unassuming, talented man who produced a manuscript - a magi- cal manuscript - which wasted away at the back of a wardrobe for over half a century. Henry Josiah Atty’s Wonderful Book THE story started near Wigan, then moved to nearby by Jen Darling Warrington. Henry Josiah Atty was born on 17 November, 1874 in Crow Lane, Newton- le-Willows, the eldest son of George (a printer’s compositor) and Elizabeth (nee Malbrow). George Atty had several brothers, one of whom was Richard Hughes Atty, inventor of Atty’s Mint Balls - precursor of the world famous Wigan manufactured Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls. Henry had a younger brother, Lawrence, but after their mother died, George married Alice and they had a son, Colin. There is a mystery here as the first time Colin knew of his half-brothers was when Henry turned up at their father’s funeral. Colin’s son, Michael, who still lives in Wigan, provided this information and has a painting by Henry Atty of Wigan Parish Church and Cenotaph. We wonder whether Henry did not get on with his step- mother, for the next we hear he is in Warrington, penniless. Befriended by Jack Leech (Pop), he worked opposite him as a compositor at the printing works of the Co-op Wholesale Society (CWS), in Barbauld Street, Warrington. Eventually, however, Henry started his own business at 28 White Street, Warrington, trading as a ‘General and Cover and jacket of Edwardian Rambles and Commercial Printer and Henry Josiah Atty in Preface page showing the author’s skilful artistry and Stationer’. He produced business the 1940’s. cards, posters and scrolls for calligraphy. special occasions, always exquisitely designed with Painting was Henry Atty’s So make me ever worthy Jeanette can remember getting beautiful lettering. relaxation. As far as we know he Lord, of them! it out to look at the pictures. On 7 November 1900 Henry never sold his work but gave his You too can enjoy this married Margaret Eccleston pictures away as presents and From M. & H. Atty, 64 Legh craftsman’s superb work with (Maggie) at St. Paul’s Church, local paintings as wedding Street, Warrington paintbrush and pencil, his Marston, near Northwich, and by presents. knowledgeable asides about the 1908 Henry and Margaret were Henry also used to paint and In his later years Henry was historical and literary connections living at 64 Legh Street, inscribe individual Christmas known affectionately as ‘Old of the area, his visual and written Warrington, where they remained cards for his friends. One of the Atty’. He died at home on 12 April descriptions of the flora and for the rest of their lives. ancient Barley Mow pub in 1961, at the ripe old age of 86. fauna, churches, public houses, The Booth family, their next- Warrington has come to light, and so much more along the way. door neighbours for over 40 years, which bears the words: Each page is designed, remember them as a kindly * * * * * * individually illustrated and couple. They describe Henry as a A healthy and happy handwritten by Henry Atty, who quietly spoken gentleman, who Christmas and New Year I first heard about Henry Atty would almost certainly be wore a long overcoat, scarf and Friends when a friend told me about this astonished and, we hope trilby in winter and, on spring and For these this prayer of wonderful book with copper- delighted, to see his work summer weekends, would go out, thankfulness I raise, plate handwriting and water available now for all to enjoy. often on his bicycle, with For Friends whose presence colours of local scenes, owned sketchpad and pencils in a roll. cheers the passing days; by a neighbour. Edwardian • Edwardian Rambles is Of an evening he would pull out Whose kindness helps me on Rambles had lain at the back available from all bookshops at his easel from a corner of the my Pilgrim way; of Jeanette Morgan’s wardrobe £14.95. Otherwise contact Jen living room in order to paint, Whose courage strengthens, since the 1950’s. Henry Atty had Darling of Alfresco Books at 7 sometimes by gaslight. The couple more than words can say. given the manuscript to her Pineways, Appleton, Warrington, were so poor that he often used I cannot pay this debt in grand-father, Jack Leech, as a WA4 5EJ (Tel/Fax 01925 cardboard boxes as a canvas. gold or gem, present and, as a little girl, 267503). 13 HISTORY SHOP NEWS HISTOR EXHIBITIONS IN THE NORTH WEST HISTORY SHOP SOUND ARCHIVE by some stunning early brass instruments Preserving the Past for the Future THE TAYLOR GALLERY SOUND recordings often compliment the from our own collection. Donated in the printed word, written word and other traditional 14 December - 27 February - The 1920’s by eminent local bandsman William sources of information but there are still many People’s Music Rimmer the five instruments on show gaps in the written testimony that can be filled illustrated a bygone age of banding. The with the use of oral history. The introduction of 8 March - 10 April - The Parish Map serpent, hand horn, comopean and slide reel-to-reel tape recorders meant that, for the trumpet are all strange to us now. Even the first time, there was an easy and practical way keyed bugle on display looked old-fashioned to record memories and reminiscences. The 19 April - 22 May - The North West Sound arrival of the cassette recorder in the early when compared to the modern instruments Archive 1970’s made recording even easier leading to set out in the adjoining bay. These were many organisations and individuals building up kindly loaned to us for the exhibition by the collections of oral history material. THE WICKHAM GALLERY Wigan Instrument Teaching Provision, based In the late 1970’s the North West Sound at the Park Centre Hindley, and were set out Archive was established to ‘record, collect • Charter ‘96 - A Celebration of 750 Years on chairs as if left during a break in rehearsals and preserve sound recordings the life, of Local Government in Wigan. or a concert. Other fascinating objects and character, history and traditions of the north • Reverend William Wickham - A photographs were lent to us by local people west of England’. Victorian Photographer Although the tape-recording of oral history with a passion for banding and many tales is still a principal objective, it soon became to tell. A special thanks to four bands; Leigh, evident that there were many other sound THE ROOM, LEIGH Trinity Girls, Pemberton Old Wigan and recordings worthy of permanent retention Tyldesley for their help in providing including dialect, music, local radio programmes 8 March - 16 April - The People’s Music information. and the sounds of the region ( machinery, The new exhibition in the Taylor Gallery railway engines etc.). Preserved, amongst others, are the 17 May - 25 June - Old Halls is The Parish Map. An exhibition organized in conjunction with the Wigan Soroptomists, memories of workers, engineers, canal workers, railway workers, colliers, even The People’s Music, our very own the display will showcase the exciting Parish conversations with prisoners at Strangeways. exhibition on brass bands, tracing the Map Project. Finished pieces from around Important collections include the Survey of development of the music, the instruments, the borough will be the main focal point, but English Dialects, Folk Music, Jodrell Bank Radio the personalities and the local bands went these will be supplemented by an overall Astronomy Collection, Manchester Jewish very well. Visually the exhibition was set off look at the project and what the map will Museum Oral History Collection, Children’s look like. Information panels, unfinished Playsongs, Manchester Ship Canal Memories, pieces, materials and possibly even a projects Bolton Oral History Survey, Birdsong and an extensive collection of 78rpm shellac The History Shop has a table will be on display to explain about this gramophone records. Meeting Room, with a exciting celebration of the Millennium. Most of the recordings are available to capacity for 36. This is In April the gallery will show a small the public either for research purposes or travelling exhibition from the North West general interest and can be listened to at available for hire by local Sound Archive based at Castle. the Archive [by appointment] or on a loan groups and societies at a Hopefully this show will be added to with basis. CAN YOU HELP? very reasonable cost: some interesting themes from our own collection, either on oral history recording The Sound Archive is currently looking to record people who worked in the health industry or an altogether older form of recording the prior to the formation of the National Health £6.20 past, the written word. (See panel this page). PER MORNING OR Service in 1948. Following the success of showing one We are always interested to hear about any AFTERNOON SESSION of our exhibitions (A Good Send Off) over person who you may feel would make a suitable at the Derby Rooms in Leigh last year, we interviewee for the Archive - whatever walk of £9.30 are hoping to repeat the exercise. In fact we life - including farming, politics, World War 2 PER EVENING SESSION have three slots booked for our exhibitions (especially the Home Front) etc. We are always looking for additions to our database of COMMERCIAL RATE this year, so those of you living on that side children’s playsongs and playground chants - if £12.40 of the Borough will not miss out. Firstly in you can remember any that you used to sing/ March and April the panels from The chant please let us know. We are also REFRESHMENTS ARE ALSO People’s Music will be on display - although continually adding to our collection of dialect/ AVAILABLE the venue unfortunately does not at present technical terms. If you do know of any such allow us to put any of the objects on show. words common to your locality, once again If you are interested, contact Then in the summer, the exhibition on Old please contact us. Halls project will be on show. Look out in North West Sound Archive, Philip Butler Old Steward’s Office, Clitheroe Castle, the next Past Forward for an announcement Clitheroe, Lancs. BB7 1AZ (01942) 827594 about another exhibition in the autumn. Telephone/Fax: 01200 427897

14 RY SHOP NEWS HISTORY SHOP PUBLIC LECTURES IN THE FRIENDS HISTORY SHOP OF THE HERITAGE SERVICE 14 April THE Friends officially came into being at the start of the year and already the idea Cavalier of Contrasts - A Portrait of has proved a great success. Over 100 of you have already expressed an interest, Prince Rupert many having signed up and paid your subs. To add to this great start we are planning Irene Jones to have an official launch to the initiative and our first full meeting of Friends during May. 12 May Remember, by becoming a Friend you are entitled to a copy of Past Forward A Civil War Soldier sent to your home three times a year and invitations to attend Friends meetings, Neil Howlett activities, private viewings at the History Shop and other events on a priority basis. All for just £5 per year. Please fill in the registration form below and send it along 9 June with a cheque made payable to Wigan MBC Heritage Service at The History Shop, The Bayeux Tapestry and the Invasion Library Street, Wigan. WN1 1NU. of England If you do not live near enough to attend any meetings in person we would still Fred Holcroft like to welcome you as a Friend. With a regular issue of Past Forward, Friends updates and possibly a website for information exchange, we are sure it will be All lectures begin at 7.30 pm popular, if nothing else we do want to recognize our Friends no matter how far away Admission £1 (numbers limited) they live, and we want them to feel close to the area they love. Back at The History Shop we are busily going through the process of setting up a new Friends database and mailing list. This is unfortunately taking longer than RECENT expected with the added complication of transferring people off the old mailing list. ADDITIONS TO THE So that there is no confusion about this the old mailing list will remain in operation throughout 1999. So those of you who have given us your name and address and LOCAL STUDIES made a donation towards costs will continue to receive Past Forward up until the COLLECTION AT Autumn 1999 edition. After that all names will be converted to the Friends mailing THE HISTORY SHOP list, subs being due on the first of January each year. 942.76 Crosby, Alan, A , Chichester: Phillimore & Co. Ltd. 1998. 144pp. STOP PRESS ISBN 1 86077 070 3 [A concise history which replaces J.J. Bagley’s classic work of the same Wigan Heritage Service’s Guide to Genealogical Sources has been an title]. invaluable aid to our many users who are tracing their family tree. A 942.736 Blakeman, Bob. Around Hindley and new and enlarged edition is now available from the History Shop and Abram. Stroud: Tempus Publishing Ltd. 1998. 128pp. ISBN 0 7524 11950. [A collection of old other Heritage Service outlets @ only £2.50, plus 50p postage and packing. photographs with informative captions. Written A must for all genealogists. by members of the Wigan Heritage Services staff]. 942.736. Winstanley, Ray. Winstanley and Highfield: further history. . The Author. 1998. 206pp [A collection of articles and extracts from earlier works about these two FRIENDS OF WIGAN HERITAGE SERVICE communities]. 796.3520942763 Winstanley, Jack. The Wigan Register of Interest Century. Standish. The Author. 1998. 186pp. [A comprehensive history of Wigan Golf Club]. 942.736 Miller, Dr. Allan. Upholland in Old Name ...... Title ...... Picture Postcards. Zaltbommel, The Netherlands. Address ...... European Library. Vol.1. 1996 78pp ISBN 90 28862269; Vol.2. 1998 79pp ISBN 90 288 0954 ...... Tel ...... 6 [Two collections of old photographs with informative captions]. Interests ...... 929.1 Grenham, John. Tracing your Irish ancestors. Dublin. Gill and MacMillan. 1992 ...... 281pp ISBN 0 7171 1898 3 [A comprehensive reference work covering most aspects of this ...... difficult subject]. 929.1 Cole, Jean, and John Titford. Tracing your Area of Specialist Knowledge ...... family Tree. 2nd edn. Rev. Newbury. Countryside Books. 1998 256pp. ISBN 1 85306 448 3 [written ...... by two regular contributors to Family Tree ...... Magazine, this is both a guide for beginners, and a reference work for experienced researchers]. 15 RECORD BREAKING CHAPEL IF you asked churchgoers well James (with quite a in Wigan how many bricks by Pam Thomas & Christine Berry pleasant smile on his face and were needed to build their without a doubt on his heart rented a room from March several other members were church or chapel, I don’t also) we will give the land for 1849. The National Religious added either by baptism or by the chapel and for a school also think many could give you Census of Sunday March 30 transferring from other Baptist as much is required and £30 an answer. At Jireh Baptist 1851 has an entry for Churches. with it.” Immediately they Chapel, Chapel Street, Pemberton, “Ebenezer School went to measure and look at Orrell, we know exactly Praying about the Room, Particular Baptist. matter two other chapels. “We how many were used, Total seats 120. Morning determined to proceed with it By 1862 it was felt that the because the original attendance 40, afternoon 60, at once, got the ground staked hired room was no longer receipts for the materials evening 30.” This appears to out, ordered brick and got suitable as numbers had used in the building of the be the earliest record of the a brick setter, William increased and because, as the chapel in 1864 have church which later became Derbyshire of New Town near church minutes record, the Wigan, joiner Aaron survived. These receipts Jireh Baptist Church. It is room was “small, close and Winstanley of Wigan, plumber provide an interesting interesting to note that right badly ventilated, under which and glazier Joseph Dean, window into trade in from the earliest days the there were a brew house and a Wigan in the mid 19th church had decided where it stable, pigs asses, horses, bad Pemberton, committee of century. stood theologically. smells, noises and beside we management Henry Farri- mond, William Marsden, By 1851 five of those were at the mercy of a publican Although the chapel was William Derbyshire, James attending wanted to be every three months.” The idea built in 1864, the church has Hartley and James Howarth. baptised as believers and Mr. of building a chapel had been its origins over 10 years We went to work like men of Vaughn of Liverpool, a well thought of before but it was not previously, when we read in until a church meeting on 6 business determined to finish known minister, baptised them the original church book, July 1864 that the church ...... in about 9 weeks after on 31 March 1851, but it is not “Several persons who decided to approach Jane staking out the ground the known where. These 5 people attended the Church of Farrimond, the sister of Henry, chapel was opened, Trust Deed formed the first and only England became dissatified one of the members, to see if signed every mite of the Baptist Church in Orrell on (sic) with the preaching they she would give some land for money promised paid and we Sunday 6 April 1851. The 5 were accustomed (sic) to hear the chapel. The minutes record found when we came to original members were: James and for truths sake alone we that Henry Farrimond after balance up at the last that the Winward, Samuel Grimshaw, hope they felt constrained to praying about the matter went total cost of the chapel was George Clough, Henry come out from that Body of with his brother George to see £302. 11s. 9d. furniture incl- Pennington and Margaret professing Christians”. At first James Howarth, another uded”. A small debt of Pennington. Over the years member. “He (Henry) says they met in a house and then £68. 19s. 5d. remained. Project was impressive The speed of the project was impressive. On 12 August they went to the solicitor Thomas T. Taylor to start drawing up the Title Deeds; the legal work cost £24. 8s. 0d. On 16 August the first load of sand arrived from Thomas Gaskell of Billinge. He delivered regular loads up to 9 September at a total cost of £1. 17s. 6d. Thomas seems to have been illiterate as his bill has his X mark on it. He also gave a donation to the chapel, as did several other suppliers. The next day, 17 August, the first load of lime arrived from Wigan Lime Works, John Stephen and Son. On the bill of £5-15s.-6d, discount was Jireh Baptist Chapel c.1940. ➯ 16 allowed. On 22 August stone The chapel was opened on new chapel on 13 December the 13th Mr. Freeman, then of arrived from Old Hey Delph, a Sunday 23 October by Mr. 1865. The church book states: Liverpool baptised him in the quarry in the Upholland area. John Forster of Witham, “On Lord’s Day 10 December presence of a good The manager, John Harrison, Essex. The time taken from the Henry Farrimond stated to the congregation. [This was the is listed in the 1869 trade first visit to the solicitors to the church that his Brother George first time that ever the directory as Quarry Master. opening day was ten weeks wished to join the church and ordinance of Believer’s The exact whereabouts of this and two days, no mean feat! As at close of the afternoon Baptism was administered in quarry is not known and it may the chapel was being used by a service he came before the this village.] On Lord’s Day 7 have been short lived. Other denomination other than the church and gave in his January 1866 he was received local firms supplied timber, it had to be experience to their satisfaction into the church by Mr. T. nails, drain pipes, sewerage registered for worship. This when it was agreed that he Clough, then of Leeds, giving pipes, tiles, furniture etc. As was done nearly a year later on should be received in among the right hand of fellowship on shown on the table below: 1 September 1865, and the us: and on Wednesday evening behalf of the church.” Relatively well off Firm Address Supplies Present Site Leyland & Roper 62 Market Place Air Bricks Halifax Bank It has been possible to find George Rick & Co. Window Sills out some further details of the Joseph Dean Lamberhead Green Painted & glazed Farrimond family but there are Painter & Glazier still gaps which readers may John Fairclough 121 Wallgate Timber Part of Office World Timber Merchant be able to fill. The Farrimonds Matthew Barton 4 Millgate Guttering, down spouts, tiles Old Salvation Army Citadel seem to have been relatively Iron Monger well off and appear in the 1841 James Topping Bricks Census as farming land near to Samuel Liptrot Roof Tiles the bottom of the present City Patrick Denn(?) 132 Wallgate All plastering work M & S Ford(?) Plasterer Road, at Baiting Houses, Kitt Wigan Gas Co. Chapel Lane Installed gas lights Green. This is now the site of A & H Barlow 58/59 Wallgate Chair, carpet, table Entrance to Station car park the Heinz Factory. In 1851 Cabinet Makers they were farming 20 acres on & Upholsterers the same site. The head of the A.A. Winstanley Wallgate Chimney pot, sewerage pipes, Joiner Builder joinery work family in 1841 was Ellen a Wm. Heaton Upholland Timber, pine, spruce screws, widow of about 55 years of Woodmerchant bolts, hinges age. There were two daughters John Lea & Son Chapel Lane & 2 barrels of cement listed, Jane aged 30 and Alice Rodney Street S.G. Bucknell 2 Standishgate Cards & posters for opening of National Westminster Bank 25, also two sons, Henry and Stationer, Printer Wigan Subscription chapel Continued on page 18 Library The bricks were invoiced for 1 October and there were 41,000 at 21s. per thousand. The total bill was: 41,000 bricks @ 21s. £43-1-0 received on account £20-0-0 subscription to chapel £ 2-1-0 £21-0-0

Spittoon! original document still exists. Amongst the necessities for a It was signed by Henry chapel in the mid 19th century Farrimond who described were two ornamental umbrella himself as a Trustee and his stands, two door scrapers, a set occupation as a tanner. of fire irons for the stove and a The Farrimond family was spittoon! The chapel was lit by intimately involved in the the latest gas lighting and even chapel for about a century. The had toilets. The pulpit was land the chapel is built on was brought from by provided free by Jane the Lancashire and Yorkshire Farrimond and it is because of Railway, which is now the this it is called Jireh which and Manchester line means Provider. Henry through Wallgate Station. The Farrimond became a member building would have been very on 4 October 1852 by baptism plain inside, and the seating and later a deacon and pastor was 9 forms 9ft. 6 ins. long and of the church, although still 11 forms 6ft. 6 ins. long. There working at a secular job. Their was also one form at 4ft. 3 ins. brother George was the first long. person to be baptised in the Some of the present members of the chapel. 17 RECORD BREAKING CHAPEL ––––– Continued from page 17

George only 15 and 10 years of age respectively and two manservants were employed for the farm work, Thomas Rothwell 25 years and Thomas Rigby 15 years. Henry and George went into business together as tanners and are listed in the trade directories, 1858-1876, in Upholland and then Tontine. In the 1871 Census, Ellen, aged 86, Henry aged 45 and George aged 40 were living on Clap Lane, Tontine near Sefton Farm, with a servant Betty Hanton 62 years. This road is now Tontine Road. It would appear that they had moved nearer the business. Henry married Elizabeth Williams about 1879. She had joined the Church in 1878 and been baptised by Henry on the first Sunday in October 1878 along with a Margaret Hartley. They seem to have had three children, Ellen, George and Jane. Elizabeth Farrimond lived to the grand old age of 81 and died on 9 March 1927 and was buried in Upholland churchyard. In the 1881 Trade Directory their business is no longer listed and the Census for that year has the family still living in Clap Lane and consisting of Henry, listed as a farmer of 8 acres and a preacher, Elizabeth, his wife aged 35, Ellen his daughter aged one year and George his brother aged 50 years. The servant Betty Hanton, now 75 years old was still with them. By 1884 Henry was living in Fleet Street, Pemberton where he died on 10 March 1884 of cancer of the lower jaw. George later moved to 30 City Road and died in 1921 aged 81 years. Very big influence Henry had a very big influence on the first 30 years of the chapel. He joined in 1852, ➯ Just three of the many purchase receipts from local tradesmen for the building of Jireh Chapel. 18 This contribution by Ernie Taberner describes the difficulties of life, and especially for ex-Servicemen, in the years soon after . I remember when . . . IN the early part of this the local schoolchildren to Dear Alastair, helping me maintain my century now approaching school yards where trestle With the approach of the links with “Ye Ancient and the Millennium, most Millennium I thought it fitting Loyal Borough.” tables had been set up and adult males were ex- local ladies were slicing up to recall the earlier part of Best wishes to all Servicemen. Grandads the century, prior to the Sincerely loaves of bread, donated by (having fought in the Boer 1939-45 war which is well Ernie Taberner local bakers, whilst others War) constantly regaled documented elsewhere. 62 Westwood Road were spreading jam, donated us with tales of how they I would like to take this Earlsdon, by Deakins of Princess Street opportunity to thank “Past (with the help of their CV5 6GE to make jam butties for the Forward”, yourself and all Phone: 01203 678142 mates of course) had your capable assistants for children. Then on returning relieved sieges of home to collect jugs and cans Ladysmith or Mafeking. we would join the queue at Older brothers, fathers when he was advised that wore thin, when they improvised soup-kitchens and uncles relived past a British contingent was returned to a coal strike in for allocations of pea soup. experiences of the latest being sent to Belgium to the local coalfields. All Ours was part of Jack war against Germany help her to stem the school-children knew of the Lowe’s Temperance Bar in 1914/18 when names like German invasion). 1926 General Strike in which Chapel Lane, and after our Ypres, Mons and It was 1921 when mass all organised workers in lunch of jam butties and pea Passchendale became demobilisation took place transport, engineering, and soup we children would curl quite familiar in daily and most ex-Servicemen had railways participated and up on the warm pavements conversation. The early a gratuity of a few hundred was well documented, but and sleep it off. Thus became volunteers never failed to pound with which to resume surprisingly the 1921 coal the daily pattern until the end remind others of their normal life. As most Wigan strike was less well known, of the strike when the membership of “The Old ex-servicemen were former except locally. horrible truth had to be faced Contemptibles”. (That miners, the initial euphoria Jam butties that there were more ex- “contemptible little army” of being reunited with miners in the local coalfields was so christened by the families after long weary One of my earliest than there were jobs for them. Kaiser Wilhelm himself, years of uncertainty soon recollections was going with Continued on page 20 became a deacon in 1860. After are really acceptable.” This his ministry, which was about the time was Nahum 1 v.7: “The the opening of the chapel he would appear to be the 14 years, it pleased the Lord to Lord is good, a stronghold in the formally welcomed into beginning of his pastorate, make his labours very useful in day of trouble: and He knoweth membership the first two new although there is no mention of gathering in many to His them that trust in Him.” members. Jane Darbyshire and a special service or any other Christ. He was a humble, plain It must have been a sore trial Mary Ellen Eastham on 16 official recognition of his man, of very retiring habits and for a preacher to have cancer of November 1864, they had duties. In 1873 the church tried his life was in accordance with the jaw and not be able to speak previously been baptised to give him a gift of 15 his profession. He seldom left properly. Henry was obviously elsewhere. He continued to sovereigns for his labours, but his people. He was an much loved and greatly missed. welcome most new members, he declined. In 1874 he experimental preacher: and his The story of the founding of gifts having become known, he until his death. By 10 April 1870 baptised Alice Mather and from Jireh Baptist Church cannot be was invited to London; but this he was preaching and the church then on regularly baptised all told without acknowledging his he refused preferring to remain minutes record “the church new members. contribution of time, effort, with his own people and warmly sanctions Henry enthusiasm and financial Seldom left his amongst the little circle of Farrimond’s way and manner of support. I am sure he would be people friends at Pemberton. His heart speaking from the word of God pleased to know that the church was much with the people at desiring that he would enter the On his death the church book he played such a large part in Southport and so desirous was pulpit.” Another entry in records “Henry Farrimond died and in which he worked so hard February 1872 states “It was having preached the gospel he to serve them that he to serve the Lord he loved, is agreed by the church to ask faithfully in this place for 16 preached there his last sermon still going strong over a Brother Henry Farrimond to go years.” His memory is also on the first Lord’s Day in July hundred years after his death. into the pulpit to speak there recorded in the Gospel Standard last year, although at the time instead of standing before the Magazine in Memories of he was suffering much and his table believing that his services Ministers. “During the time of speech was affected. His text at 19 We fought the German, being truthful when they In an earlier Past I remember the Austrian, and the related their tales of hardship. Forward contribution I when . . . Turk wrote of one man who was Doorstep callers one of the homesteaders in ––––– That’s why we’re all walking’round and out of my feature - Mr. Simmonds Continued from page 19 However to many it work who farmed at Springfield became a blessing in But what is it for? behind the old running track. This economic fact of life disguise, since the decision We won the war! (See issue 10) I knew Mr. caused many of them to to get out of the pits and Simmonds but I didn’t know consider how best to use create a job for themselves his background until a Past * * * * * * their capital to “buy “on top”, especially since Forward reader advised me themselves out of the pits for they now for the first time in that as a teenager he had It was becoming popular all time”. Many of them took their lives had capital, was walked from Cornwall to in the Twenties to produce as the gamble of becoming made for them. So former Yorkshire then to Crawford entertainment anything anti- businessmen by opening miners, now ex-Servicemen, Village on his way to Wigan German and another ditty I shops, buying ex-service became businessmen in a to work as first a miner then a can recall was:- vehicles and becoming variety of ways. Milkmen, farmsteader. (For this hauliers, buying ponies and On the day those butchers, grocery vendors, information I am grateful to cars for light hauling, Germans pay hardware dealers, odd job an ex-Wiganer from becoming greengrocers or On the day those men, became regular Springfield Mr. Frank Brown coal dealers, buying, Germans pay doorstep callers whilst others now of Droitwich, Worcs. bagging and selling coal in 1 would rent premises to sell Hair will grow on Another one of us!) cwt. bags. The more their skills in many diverse wooden legs adventurous, having had ways. Elephants will be laying The customer was experience of driving trucks Disabled ex-Servicemen eggs and buses in war time, aided by the British Legion always right became pioneers of long And your children’s became boot and shoe I include this story for distance passenger transport, children’s children repairers and cloggers. There present Past Forward eg. James Smith of Will be all old and grey were travelling coopers who readers to illustrate the Standishgate, and Webster And the Shakespeare would make a steel hoop and lengths their grandfathers Bros. of Darlington Street Hotel will be packed like fit it on the dolly tubs. The were prepared to encounter readily come to mind among h— owner of the small grocery to get their hands on a few the bigger ones, whilst Wilf On the day those shop would call and take the shillings, and to illustrate Garvin of Frog Lane and German’s pay! housewife’s order during the why, when they did set up in Harold Fairhurst of Jolly morning, and deliver it the Here I would apologise business themselves, “the Mill were two of the smaller same afternoon. for the digression but whilst customer was always right”. ones. If a plumber was needed many old Hippodrome To conclude this feature customers would easily it only needed a knock on his Time of doom and door and he would be around and since I have mentioned recall Florrie Ford or George Springfield I was an old gloom Formby (old) and young in the hour or as soon as he had finished the job he was Wigan Borough supporter The early ‘20’s, although George (of ‘Leaning on a already doing. So it was the (sorry you rugby supporters, causing a trade revival, was Lamp’ fame) I suspect very beginning of a service era although I did know of Jim for many Wiganers a time of few will remember the ditties where the customer was Sullivan and Bert Jenkins doom and gloom, and many produced here. always right and the customer and Morley on the wing), sought an outlet by a visit to (The Shakespeare Hotel was the beneficiary. Unlike and the Boro team in my day the old Hippodrome in King was next door to the old nowadays when a tradesman were Preedy, Moran and Street. Here the variety Hippodrome and was will keep a housewife waiting Dennis Humpish Wilson and produced was for the most popular with the artists all day indoors then still not Robb, Welsby, Welch, Smith, part uplifting although I appearing there). turn up nor even apologise for Harris and Hughes. I also remember (even though only a missed appointment! vividly remember seeing the a boy) one artist with his own * * * * * * Money was a very rare incident when Frank Barson version of the aftermath of I commenced this resume commodity indeed in the was sent off for a foul and war presenting his own of the early part of this early part of the century. So never played again as his creation of “hitting back” by century to remind older no-one would miss out from case was adjourned “sine his own song which went as readers of Past Forward of choice on making a shilling die” by the adjudicators. Ah follows:- their trials and tribulations of or two (5p or 10p) if the well, perhaps I should now We won the war, we won the period, and to reassure opportunity presented itself, say the war younger readers also that and would work all day and I REMEMBER WELL! You can ask Lloyd their parents and into the night if necessary to George or Bonar Law grandparents were in fact give customer satisfaction! © E. Taberner, 1999 20 SECOND WORLD WAR MEMORIALS IN METROPOLITAN WIGAN by Dr. Eric McPherson MOST of the population of the In this area there have the one at Anchor Works is still homes for disabled veterans, clearly been losses. Several in place. peals of bells and memorial wishes to see our war dead memorials have not survived In spite of particular gardens were just some of the honoured and their names the demolition of the buildings sorrows, the situation is very proposals, but eventually lack cherished for all time. The in which they were installed, satisfactory. In the course of of drive (or more probably reinstatement of the national and at least three now only research into deaths in the lack of funds) resulted in civic silence on Armistice Day and exist in the form of Second World War, I have memorials taking the familiar the increased interest in the photographs. One had eroded managed to locate 71 form. condition of our war so badly that it was not memorials within the area The range is from simple memorials are therefore both transferred to the new church, which makes up Metropolitan framed lists, books of to be welcomed. The Imperial and the Ashton-in-Makerfield Wigan. There are considerable remembrance and lecterns War Museum is conducting a Grammar School plaque and variations in both form and through to elaborate national survey, and the memorial book have been content. In that reflective enamelled brass or cast bronze urgency of the matter is ‘lost’. With the changing period just after the war, there panels mounted on impressive indicated by the recent industrial scene some sited in were many plans and monuments. Some are painted establishment of Friends of closed works, offices and suggestions as to how the on wood, while others are War Memorials which reports collieries will have gone sacrifice of local servicemen carved in stone, oak or that memorials from forever, but happily the Lord and women should be marble. Many have been redundant buildings have & Sharman Ltd. Memorial is recognised by grateful added to existing First World been scrapped, sold as curios now in St. Matthew’s communities. New casualty War commemorations or and even exported. Churchyard, Highfield, and departments, swimming baths, Continued on page 22

Wigan War Memorial: Unveiling Ceremony and Dedication, 17 October 1925. 21 from a single name in Orrell’s serving in the British services Why, for example have S. SECOND to are listed. Both were Belgians Anderton and A. Johnson WORLD WAR 480 on the Wigan Cenotaph. and both are on memorials in been omitted from Golborne’s In all some 1800 men and Leigh. One was a Royal Air Legh Street memorial - the MEMORIALS IN women have been identified Force pilot who came here as only difference between the METROPOLITAN as having close ties with the a refugee in 1940 and was content of that and the one in area and thus qualify for killed in action in 1944. He St. Thomas’s Church? All the WIGAN commemoration, but this was obviously well integrated names in St. Thomas’s Church, ––––– number generally does not into Leigh for he is Upholland are replicated on Continued from page 21 include those who were born commemorated on no fewer the civic memorial except for in the area but moved away than three memorials. The James Fyles. Why? Why is only before the war. On the 71 other, a merchant seaman, one of two brothers matched sympathetically to memorials there are, however, died as a result of injuries and commemorated? Some earlier ones. Although a over 2300 names, the was a member of the small relatives have been successful number are to be found in difference being accounted for Belgian community which had in getting names added which churchyards or gardens, most by the fact that some people existed in the town since the were omitted at the time - are to be found inside church are named on more than one First World War. In addition although in one case this has buildings with 39 out of the local memorial - in many cases there are several servicemen been added to the wrong total of 71 in Church of on four and in one case five. commemorated who had memorial. England premises, with Sadly, over 300 are not to be emigrated from England Inevitably other mistakes another 14 in churches and found on even one, and if before the War and were have occurred. Misspelling of chapels of other de- these individually were to killed while serving with names and incorrect initials nominations. Civic memorials have been shown on their Commonwealth or U.K. forces are not uncommon. Family exist in eleven townships, but local memorials the number of and who still had relatives in first names may vary from even some of these are located names commemorated would this area. official ones (e.g. Frank for on or near churches. have approached 3000. There is considerable Francis and Harry for Henry) Some names appear on One memorial (Hindsford confusion as to how the and, because of the confusion several memorials, but the St. Anne’s) gives rank, name, names were gathered. There of wartime and the needs of majority of those who fell in regiment and place of death - was no central register or (as the armed services, men were the Second World War but this is extremely unusual, one regimental archivist insists moved from one regiment to belonging to Abram, Platt and in the main they comprise on believing) no lists provided another at short notice. This Bridge, Billinge, Haigh, simply initials and name, with to local authorities by the War has resulted in men being Bickershaw, Hindley, Hindley a few giving rank and/or Department either during or shown as having died as a Green, Orrell, Poolstock and branch of the services. Some after the War. The names were member of the ‘wrong’ Pemberton are com- include Home Guard, NFS and obtained from relatives, regiment, and in at least one memorated in the locality ARP personnel, and at least friends, congregations and case a soldier is shown twice solely in the Parish Church. one (Platt Bridge St. associations, as well as from on one cenotaph in two One from a closed Royal Nathaniel’s) is known to the general public by means different regiments at the time British Legion building is now commemorate a civilian who of advertisements placed in he was killed. Some who were housed in Bamfurlong was killed. local newspapers. But prisoners of war have Methodist Church, and in Two foreign nationals intriguing questions arise. appeared as deaths and some addition there are memorials names have been amended in works, sports clubs and subsequently by relatives to local authority premises along Sir, Johnson; Joseph McDowell; accommodate later family with a number of works and I am researching the J.J. O’Hagan; Arthur Smith; changes. civic ones (especially Platt Servicemen and women W.J. Ward; F.A. Whittle; John It is a sad fact that over 300 Bridge and Hindley) without from this area who died in Wilman. Wigan area: John men who fulfilled every names. the Second World War. I Cassidy; John Close; Arthur qualification and reason to be As part of its have completed the work on Cunliffe; Richard F. commemorated are not to be responsibilities, the Common- over 1700 individuals, but Davidson; Sydney found on any local memorial. wealth War Graves It is intriguing to speculate have been unable to make Davidson; John Dean; Jerry Commission (CWGC) keeps why. In some cases this may positive identification of registers of graves and Haddock; K. Harrison; be by the choice of relatives, memorials of the armed around 50 more - some of Robert Hughes; B. Johnson; but many, of course, had no services war dead if death of whom I have listed below in Richard Johnson; Edward living relatives or they had the individual occurred before two broad geographical James; James Kelly; moved away during the War. 31 December 1947. Some local groupings. I would be Gordon Lawrence; Eric Lee; Some who died had married memorials contain the names grateful for any information T.J. Logh; John Massey; during the War to people of men who died of war- on these. Any fact (rank, Walter Meadows; Harry living in other parts of the related illness or injuries but service, place of death etc.) Rigby; Harold Roberts; John country and some therefore were no longer in the services, would be welcomed, as it is T. Roberts; Harold Singleton; will be on memorials in distant or men who had been often just one such detail John Speak; Richard Sutton; towns and cities. Tragically it discharged shortly before their which provided the Harold Twiss. is likely that most are missing death. These circumstances confirmatory evidence because at the time of the can lead to confusion because needed. collection of details of deaths Dr. Eric McPherson these men are not rated as Leigh area: William P. there was no-one living locally 99 Walton Road ‘official’ war dead even if Baxter; Eric Boardman; able to provide the relatives and communities Sale Peter Dempsey; Joseph information. Just one more rightly regard them as Cheshire M33 4DW Dunn; W. Fazackerley; J.R. visible effect of the turmoil to casualties of war. Tel: 0161 962 3039 which families are subjected Hardle; A. Johnson; Harry The number of names by war. commemorated locally varies 22 Harold Knowles concludes his memories of ASHTON-IN-MAKERFIELD DURING THE 1930’s would collect your empties and reaching back over his The Market and Street Traders leave your regular order of, shoulders, would pull a sack perhaps, three or four bottles. forward onto his back on which During my childhood many different hawkers Fishmongers had horse-drawn he wore a large piece of thick came round the streets peddling their wares or carts and small motor lorries or stiff leather reinforced with offering services. Some vendors came on a regular vans; the fish was kept fresh on metal studs to protect his back basis calling on customers who would have placed blocks of ice or on heaps of against the jagged edges of the crushed ice. In the days before coal. a standing order for goods or services. These would general ownership of domestic One unique trader who came include the milkman, the paper boy, the postman, refrigerators the fishmonger round the area in the mid to late the baker with bread, cakes and pies, the butcher, could be relied on to sell a fresh evening was the mobile fish and the coal man, the window cleaner, the grocer’s boy, product for lunch or tea on the chip cart, known to everyone as day he came round. ‘Chip Billy’. The cart, or van, the paraffin man and the ‘pop’ man. Coal men, for the most part, was horse drawn on four used motor lorries with flat wooden, iron-shod wheels. Others, though coming lighting in the house was by bodies on which one or two Inside was a solid fuel fire which round on a regular basis, paraffin lamp or candles. layers of 1 cwt. sacks of coal heated the fat boiler for frying offered optional goods or The ‘pop’ man were stacked upright with a the fish and chips. In fact, the services. There were ice pronounced forward lean so that inside of the van was virtually a cream vendors, rag and bone The ‘pop’ man came round in the forward motion of the lorry scaled-down fish and chip shop. men, fruit and vegetable a motor lorry with large glass didn’t cause them to fall off. The Billy would arrive in our street at vendors, fishmongers, salt bottles of lemonade, Tizer, sacks of coal were open at the top about 9 p.m. - not every night - vendors with their large American Cream Soda, and the coal man would stand and announce his presence by Dandelion and Burdock etc. He blocks of white salt from with his back to the lorry and, ringing a large hand bell. He would serve you from a counter which they would cut, with a built into the side of the van and saw, the amount required. Dear Mr. Gillies, I find myself also indebted to I write to say how greatly obliged I Nicholas Webb for his article on the he would normally stay in our Lamp lighters with their long am to your colleague, Nicholas Webb, closure of Stubshaw Cross St. Lukes street for about 10 minutes, or poles came round to turn the for the information he has given about C. Of E. School. I was a pupil at St. longer if demand so warranted. I gas lamps on when darkness Ashton Baths in Issue No. 20 of Past Lukes in, roughly, 1931/32 although don’t suppose Chip Billy would fell, dustmen came weekly to Forward, Mr. Webb has filled in many my recollections of my time there are even get a licence to trade these empty the bins - a dirty, dusty gaps in my knowledge of the very vague. I am very glad to say that, day. He would probably business in the days of almost circumstances relating to the “rise and in 1997, I took the opportunity to call at contravene every regulation in fall” of the Baths. the school and the Head Teacher was the book! universal coal fires and open A few months ago, William kind enough to allow me to look at the dustcarts. Although a Robinson from Abram was kind register. I was able to find my name in “Knives to grind” declining service because of enough to write to me with some the register but, unfortunately, the cheap alarm clocks, information, which had been passed to punishment book for 1931/2 was not At much less frequent knockers-up still plied their him about his Uncle Frank. His Uncle available so I wasn’t able to see if I was intervals, though still on a Frank had been swimming in the Baths in it. I expect I was. I did, however, find regular basis, we had the visits of trade in some areas. during the First World War, probably the names of two of my uncles in the The paraffin man who came shortly before the closure. Mr. 1901-1908 punishment book - their the knife and scissor grinders. round where I lived had a motor Robinson also knew of the Baths Hall names appeared with rather They had a type of bicycle or lorry with a large tank of paraffin being used during the 1926 General depressing frequency, mainly for hand cart which was equipped on the back. Mr Billingham, as Strike for the provision of dinners carelessness and laziness. with a large grindstone operated he was called, had an (presumably free) for local As I mentioned when I last spoke to by a treadle arrangement. They ironmongers shop in Bryn Street, schoolchildren. My own recollection is you the Past Forward 17 magazine is would make their presence Ashton and, from his lorry, in the Baths Hall also being used, during achieving great popularity in the area of known by shouting in the middle addition to the paraffin, he sold a the 1930’s, for the provision of free the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside of the street, very loudly, such selection of hardware goods dinners for the children of men who where I live, at least among my circle of appropriate calls as ‘knives to were unemployed. friends and acquaintances. I have lent such as brushes, soaps, polishes, grind!’ or ‘scissors to grind!’ Whilst it was, undoubtedly, a very my copy to a number of people, all of Word would quickly pass around mops and buckets etc. People great loss to Ashton that there was no whom have said how much they are would bring out their containers, place where local people could swim in looking forward to reading future the streets that the knife grinder usually a metal drum, which Mr. safety, the Council did their very best to issues, and the final instalment of my was here and people would bring Billingham, using a large funnel maximise the Public Hall use of the article, as, indeed, am I. out their kitchen knives and would fill from a brass tap on the building, and weekly dances to the Harold Knowles scissors to be sharpened for a side of the paraffin tank. The sale music of Ronnie Hall and his Band, and 30 Drayfields copper or two. The knife of paraffin was a most essential Bert Webb and his Hawaiian Serenaders Droylsden grinder’s visits were very service in the days when some (yes, really!) were very popular, Manchester popular with us kids because he M43 7ET houses didn’t even have gas laid particularly during the war years. used to put on a bit of a show for on let alone electricity, and all us by sending up showers of 23 old gold and silver’ merchants dismantled the same day. There jolly the crowd along and keep ASHTON-IN- who then doled out a few would be the usual type of them in a good mood. The shillings to bemused old ladies market goods ranging from atmosphere with the crowd, the MAKERFIELD for quite valuable family clothes, food of all types, fruit auctioneer slapping the lino and DURING THE heirlooms. Posh looking chaps in and vegetables, second-hand cracking his jokes, the tension 1930’s a smart suit and collar and tie goods, floor coverings, toys and and the naptha lamps, combined ––––– would sell you spectacles novelty goods to books, to create a picture which even so whether or not you needed them. magazines and newspapers. One long afterwards, I can see clearly Continued from page 23 Enough patent medicine was stall was devoted entirely to the as I write. sold by door to door salesmen to sale of tripe of all kinds. There sparks from the grindstone. It float the QE II - much of it was was black and white tripe plus Knick knacks was good business practice too sugar and water with a bit of cow heels, pig’s trotters, brawn galore because we would pester our colouring and flavouring but or ‘pigs head’, elder, savoury mums to bring out knives and they swore it would cure ‘ducks’ and black puddings. Just The same was true of the scissors to be sharpened so that everything from pneumonia to before the market closed, kids and crockery merchants. we could see more sparks. arthritis! would go to the tripe stall for a They worked from large stalls In the early 1930’s full Another irregular ‘regular’ ‘haporth’ of tripe bits. These where they would set up a employment was a dream rather was the pot-man. As with the were the off-cut pieces which display of the goods they were than a reality and many men knife sharpener his mode of had been cut from tripe as it was selling. They had tea sets and were unable to find work. This transport would be hand cart or being weighed during the day dinner services, both china and social problem was reflected on tricycle. He was another of the and for a halfpenny you could earthenware, fruit sets of glass the streets in the number of vendors who solicited trade by get quite a lot of tripe bits and china, tea pots fancy and shouting in the middle of the beggars, street singers and wrapped in greaseproof paper. plain, ornaments and knick- street, in his case, ‘Pots to mend!’ buskers to be found in most With lashings of vinegar and salt knacks galore together with as loudly as he could. We kids towns. Men would stand on and pepper they were very tasty. packing cases packed to the brim didn’t bother much about the street corners, literally cap in with mundane items of crockery hand, singing popular ballads of In the winter when it went pot-man - he didn’t strike sparks! such as pudding basins and plain the day. The most popular were dark the stalls of the traders The ice cream vendors came white earthenware cups, saucers the hugely sentimental favourites would be illuminated by naptha with a variety of forms of and plates. The china sellers such as ‘Danny Boy’, ‘My Ain lamps which gave a strange and transport. The most basic was a operated on the same basis as the Folk’ and other music hall songs. evocative, almost surreal, glow. type of two-wheeled hand cart, linoleum chaps i.e. by ‘Dutch Mouth organs were very common The evening was in some ways the wheels being wooden with Auction’ but they had more iron ‘tyres’ about two feet in but those with any pretence to the busiest time on the market scope for entertaining the crowds diameter. This hand cart would musical skill went a step further and large crowds would gather because of the more diverse be pushed around the streets, with the trumpet, concertina, and, around the china and crockery range of their goods. They would trade being drummed up by very popular, the piano stalls and the linoleum sellers. hold a full tea set in their hands means of a hand bell. The ice accordion. Solo singers were The latter used to operate from and half juggle with it, throwing cream was in a container which more likely to be found in the the back of a large van and they sat on a bed of dry ice and was of residential streets where they would sell rolls of linoleum by it up in the air and catching it the soft variety. I spent a few might be given food instead of, or the ‘Dutch Auction’ method. again with no breakages. For us days of one summer holiday as well as, money. Sometimes, on This is where the price is called kids it was great entertainment helping an older lad I knew to market days and in the town by the auctioneer and is although the show was push his hand cart around but the centre where large numbers of progressively reduced until sometimes so fascinating we novelty soon faded. There were people might be found, a group of someone in the crowd shouts out didn’t leave and would catch it in also tricycle ice cream carts, very buskers would put on a bit of a to pay the last price called. The the neck for getting home late. similar to the hand carts but with show with music, singing, and linoleum sellers would stand in Finally three wheels and pedals. The perhaps a display of clog dancing the open tailboard of their van top of the range was the which was always very popular. and, holding one end of a roll of I have just proof-read my motorised van but we didn’t see The 1930’s was, in many linoleum, they would throw the article and I’m astonished at how many of those. ways, a great time to be a young rolled end off the tailboard much I’ve remembered. I’m boy. In those days children of letting it unroll in front of the even more astonished at how Gimcrack shoddy seven or eight years old could crowd. With each price reduction much I’ve left out! But I think goods roam and play in the streets the auctioneer would give the I’ve included the important stuff without a great deal of danger. flat linoleum a loud slap and, hopefully, managed to There was always something to There were also the door to purposely to heighten the tension capture the essence of growing up see, some entertainment to watch door salesmen. Some of these so that someone in the crowd in a Lancashire town in the 1930’s. or listen to and, as kids, we were regular and, indeed, often might bid at a higher price so as When I began this article I weren’t expected to pay - it was welcome having been calling for not to lose the lino to another intended it to be an account of all free. years. Mostly they sold brushes, bidder. It was of course, the first my years at Ashton Grammar cotton, needles etc. from The Market bidder (or person who shouted School but it grew into more, suitcases which they carried acceptance of the latest price), much more. It is fitting that I from door to door. There were The open market in Ashton who got the lino. The trick was to acknowledge here the debt I other callers who were rather was held every Saturday; in the try to hold ones nerve until the owe to the school. I have less welcome, selling gimcrack 1930’s it consisted of a number price came down really low, enjoyed a successful career as a shoddy goods by means of a glib of permanent enclosed stalls taking a chance that no one else Chartered Civil Engineer. The tongue and slick patter. There which could be locked during the would jump in first, and of first steps towards that career were the con-men - the ‘We’ll week, the remainder being open course the auctioneer had a were taken at Ashton give you a good price for your stalls which were erected and repertoire of jokes and patter to Grammar School. 24 Aspull & Haigh Historical Society For further details contact the Secretary. Mrs. Meetings are held in the Village Centre, Bolton Norma Ackers (01942 865488). Road, Aspull, on the second Thursday of the SOCIETY NEWS month at 8.00 p.m. Further details from the Tyldesley & District Historical Secretary, Mrs. Rosalie Naylor, 3 Pennington July Society Close, Aspull, Wigan (01942 256145) No Meeting, HOLIDAYS. Meetings are held at Tyldesley Pensioners Club. 10 August Milk Street, Tyldesley, on the third Thursday of Death of Mr. J. Sherriff and ‘Rivington’ by Mr. D. Smith the month at 7.30 p.m. Entrance is FREE. Further Mrs. D. Dootson One of our favourite local walking places. Mr. details from the Secretary (01942 514271). I have had a letter from Mrs. Rosalie Naylor, Smith will tell us all we need to know of its long 15 April history and brings along his book on the subject. ‘The Good Old Days?’ by Tony Rydings. Secretary of the Aspull & Haigh Historical Society, stating that two of their founder Part 2 of a talk given last year will take the history members had died - both on the same day Golborne & Lowton Local History of medicine from the Renaissance to the 19th century. in early January. Society Mrs. Dorothy Dootson was founder Secretary Founded in 1984 the society now has an 20 May of the Society. She held the office until she average monthly attendance of over 20. Annual visit. To be arranged. resigned three years ago due to ill-health. Meetings are held at Golborne Library on the Mrs. Naylor writes that she was a “staunch second Tuesday of the month at 7.00 p.m. Non- Wigan Archaeological Society supporter of Past Forward, and she delighted members welcome. Further details from Ron The Society meets in the History Shop on the in distributing it around Aspull and Haigh.” Marsh, P.R. Officer (01942 726027). first Wednesday of the month at 7.30 p.m. New Mr. Joe Sherriff was founder Chairman of the 13 April Tuesday members are always welcome. Society. He was well known in Aspull, both A.G.M. for his work on behalf of the Society, and of Wigan Civic Trust the Catholic church there. He was a very Leigh & District Family History The Trust meets at 7.30 p.m. on the second good friend of Wigan Heritage Service. Ed. Society Monday of the month at Drumcroon Arts Centre, Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of every Parsons Walk, Wigan. For further information Atherton Heritage Society month in the Derby Room of Leigh Library. For contact Anthony Grimshaw, Secretary (01942 Monthly meetings with talks on local history held further details contact the Secretary, Mrs. O. 245777). New members are always welcome. at St. Richard’s Jubilee Hall, Crabtree Lane, Hughes (01942 741594). 12 April Atherton, on Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m. Non- 20 April ‘The History of Standish Well’ by Cllr. John members £1.50, including refreshments. ‘Wills for the Family Historians’ by David O’Neill. Everyone welcome. Visits throughout the year Lambert. 10 to places of historical interest. Information from 18 May May Hon. Sec. (01204 651478). ‘Publishing your Family History’ by Dan Muir. Visit to Rawtenstall Civic Trust. 13 April 15 June 14 June ‘Women in the Mines’ by M. Stirrup Visit to Wigan Record Office, Leigh. ‘A History of Haigh Hall’ by Mrs. Carole Banks. Atherton was known for its Pit Brow lassies, but 20 July our speaker will tell the whole story of women Wigan Family History Society Visit to Leigh Library. in the coal industry. Meetings are now held on the first and third 11 May 17 August Tuesday of the month, at the Springfield Hotel, ‘Literary Lakeland’ by Miss M. Curry Getting started and Question time. Springfield Road, Wigan, at 7.30 p.m. For further Margaret’s talks have become an annual event information contact Mrs. Lynne Kearns, 28 - they are so good. Tonight she will tell us all Leigh Literary Society Wareing Street, Tyldesley, Manchester, M29 about the connections between the Meetings are held in The Derby Room, Leigh 8HS (01942 878549). and writers. Library on Mondays at 7.30 p.m. Subscription 20 April 8 June £10. Visitors £1. Secretary: Mrs. H. Gaskell Manchester Record Office - Sources Available ‘The History of The Co-op’ by Mr. N. Hindley (01942 801743). to the Family and Local Historian. The idea of having a share in a company 18 May appealed to hard-working Lancashire folk and Leigh Local History Society ‘Deportation of a Relative’ by Russell Young checks were carefully collected to be cashed Meetings are held in The Derby Room, Leigh 15 June on divi-day. The success story is told tonight. Library, on the last Wednesday of the month. ‘Postcards: An Edwardian Story’ by Ron Severs.

his first copy of Past Forward. I think by anyone who could loan me a mirrored my own family’s travels. way of life has completely he must mean me. My recollections photograph of the area for the Jimmy Cain married Mary Elizabeth disappeared from our midst, times are that we first made contact purposes of copying it. Stone who was born in Lower Ince change”. How many of us are regarding the former Wigan, Reading the articles and letters in 1884, the first child to be born in descended from ancestors that had England and Great Britain rugby in the current issue it struck me how Ince to Richard and Ann Stone. Her a common furrow? league player Johnnie Lawrenson. you can trace similarities in the lives elder brothers and sisters were born Later this year I hope to My late father Jack Cain grew up with of families and I cite two examples. in and father start on a project analysing the Johnnie in the streets below the old The article by Mr. James Davies Richard was born in Ironbridge, 1891 Census for Ince. Kirkless Iron and Steel Works at the related how his father took on a Shropshire in 1854 to parent from Breaking down the population Anyone top end of Belle Green Lane, Ince. grocery business as mining declined. .... Shrewsbury. Richard was a by county of origin. Should My grandfather, Jimmy Cain, kept the My aforementioned grandfather ‘puddler’ and came to work in the anyone wish me to keep a remember cake shop at 10 Belle Green Lane, Jimmy Cain, took on the iron industry in Ince, from the fact lookout for their forebears near Manchester Road, in the 1930’s confectionery business as the that Mary was born in Lower Ince I they are welcome to contact Jimmy Cain’s and 40’s. Would any readers Kirkless site shut down. conjecture that it was at the Moss me. remember him, or the shop, later That must have been quite Side Ironworks. Richard lost his wife Please accept my best wishes cake shop? kept by Edna Ashurst, now common where families had ‘put in 1898 at the age of 42 having given for the continued health of Past Dear Mr. Gillies, demolished and replaced by the new something by’ and could try their birth to 13 children! They now lie in Forward - it brings many people a Past Forward issue 19 arrived building near Smithy Green, Ince, hand at something different. My Ince Cemetery. Richard, a reputedly lot of pleasure. today, always a source of pleasure which I believe is a clinic? I would second example may spur hard man like James Davies’ father, be overjoyed to hear from anyone correspondence to your office from later lived in Belle Green Lane at the Neil Cain to receive each issue, but two letters 26 Sheridan Terrace in the latest publication have spurred who might remember my family in people descended from ancestors King Street junction, then near to Ince. As an aside, I have been that came to Wigan in the last century Jackson Street or Manchester Road Whitton Avenue West me into writing, in the hope you can Northolt find space to print what is ultimately searching unsuccessfully for a from Shropshire and Staffordshire. where he would let the pigs loose to photograph of the area at the top of Yvonne Morris’s letter run amok on the highway forcing his Middlesex a plea for help. UB5 4JS The letter from J. Harold Smith Belle Green Lane, specifically Francis concerning her Perkins ancestor’s daughters Sarah and Mary to round in Sutton Coalfield mentions “a chap Street, where the new houses now arrival in Wigan, or rather Ince, in them up in the dark. As the Reverend residing in Leicester’ who sent him stand. I would pay the costs incurred the 1880’s from Shrewsbury Hibbert’s letter in issue 19 says “A 25 teenagers. It was something policeman. of a pleasant learning The walls of the Latics Ashcroft, Grady and experience trying to identify club were covered in old some of the elegant matrons photographs. Was that really Taylor families as those young ladies for T—S— and J— H—— in I am trying to locate the daughter of Martin, whom I may have had satin breeches on Coronation relatives of my father, who worked as a gas romantic yearnings in the Day? It was a great night and Francis Joseph Ashcroft, stoker and died in 1902, past. Or some of the one that everyone enjoyed who was born on 6 January and Ann (Carroll/Hinchley) respectable mature gentle- very much. What a pity for 1911, at 66 Darlington O’Grady, Irish immigrants An men as the hooligans and rip those who couldn’t or didn’t Street East, the son of who came to Wigan from snorters with whom I ran manage to get there. They Joseph and Margaret (nee County Clare in about inspirational amok. It would be nice to list were remembered with Grady) Ashcroft. 1876. Margaret’s brother wonderful the people included in over affection in many Dad’s father Joseph Michael, who was born in 200 people who attended. conversations. was the son of Joseph and Ireland, married Hannah evening Some still young and mere Again, I would like Esther (nee Taylor) Taylor in 1903. When, in slips of things, others through your pages, to thank Ashcroft, and was born on 1911, my grandparents Dear Sir, octogenarians. There were those who had the inspiration 6 January 1889. Joseph emigrated to the United On Friday 2 October also one or two crafty to do it and to make it such a and Esther had several State, it appears that all of 1998 I was privileged to sneaker-ins from Woodhouse successful evening. In other children, including the surviving Grady family, attend a wonderful reunion Lane and Holt Street. Some particular Jean and Frank and Jane, who was born about with the exception of organised by Mrs. Jean were hardly changed and the ladies who ensured that 1890; Robert about 1893, Michael, also left for McNamara (nee Haddock) easily recognisable, others despite all the reminiscing we and another son, whose America. and her brother Frank. It was with some difficulty. still had something to eat name may have been I would very much like a reunion of people who lived There were discussions during the evening. William. to hear from anyone in any in Ingram Street and about the air raids, Johnny When Esther (Taylor) of these families, and who Moorfield Street before the Wood’s coal wagon ripping H. Haddock, B.A. QFSM Ashcroft died in 1905 her might have information. It old terraced houses were down washing by accident on FiFireE husband Joseph remarried would be wonderful to add demolished in 1963. the Monday wash day. 8 Repton Court in 1911, to Margaret living relatives to our I have been away from Adventures on the taggy near The Arbours Ferguson, who died in family tree! Wigan for some 34 years and King’s Wood, at Walthew Northampton 1916. Esther had two it is over 40 years since I had House Lane, interspersed NN3 3RQ sisters; Elizabeth Ann Mary Ann Ashcroft met some of my old friends with details of the latest hip Tel: 01604 404338 married James Moore in 1229 Vista del Lago and neighbours. Despite or knee replacement. The E-mail:- 1909. Jane Moore was still San Luis Obispo, common sense dictating bookies runner being allowed [email protected]. living in the 1920’s. California 93405 otherwise my picture was one access into houses to avoid Dad’s mother Margaret U.S.A. of 16 to 20 year old Bobby Blinker the cycling was born in 1879 in Wigan, Father recognised ‘Marriage at Atherton’ Dear Sir, Regarding the photograph on Page 10 of issue 20 of Past Thank you article stirred memories Forward Autumn/Winter. Dear Sir, from the engine works at The person on the second row 3rd from right is my father Mr. Joseph Latham who worked in the Menswear Department at I was particularly Patricroft and up to two years the Co-op in Standishgate. He died in 1985. Blakeman interested in the article in Past ago she was still alive and The team played on Wednesdays because that was a half Forward 19 ‘Interesting living in Worsley. It was day off for most shops in those days. Dear Mr. Blakeman Marriage at Atherton’. The strange I should marry Rev. W. Nuttall who officiated someone with even a distant Mrs Mollie Ryding Thank you for 16 Cartmel Avenue was father of my late connection with the Edwards/ showing us around Danesway husband’s uncle by marriage. Nuttall family as my first job the History Shop on Wigan Cyril B. Nuttall was, I think, was in the Partington Lane WN1 2HD Tuesday 2 February the eldest son of the Rev. W. Swinton Depot office of 1999 telling us about Nuttall and he was married to L.U.T. I moved to live in Wigan and its retired for two years and was my husband’s Aunt Elizabeth Astley/Tyldesley in 1986, and surrounding villages. Richard the Company’s foreman boat Irlam at Flixton Parish when the Depot at Atherton builder; he was living in It was very interesting Church,. They are both buried closed and the Leigh Journal Forshaw, Cygnet Street. It also and we enjoyed in Flixton Churchyard. When asked for any memories of mentions amongst the floral looking around and the Atherton Church was working for L.U.T., a friend bellringers tributes, one from the learning about Wigan vandalised a few years ago, an persuaded me to send in my Bellringers, St. James of old. We liked article in, I think, the Leigh memory. and Church, Poolstock. looking at slides and Journal [I have a copy Thanks for Past Forward I would like to know if the old maps and somewhere] told about the which eventually goes to an boatyards anyone has any connection to pictures of Standish three vicars who had held the 83 year old Leigh born and Dear Sir, Richard and his family and if and Upholland. living at Atherton; the Rev. bred friend who now lives I have a copy of an article anyone knows if there are any Nuttall was the one who had near his family in Sussex, and records held which refer to We hope to visit for the funeral of my great held it the longest. sometimes on to his brother grandfather Richard Forshaw. the St. James’ Church them soon. A daughter of Mr. Nuttall on the Moray Firth. It was published in the Wigan Bellringers. Also the local married a Mr. Edwards, Keep up the good work. Examiner 17 July 1926. In the boat yards both at Class 11 Managing Director of Thanks again. article it says that he worked and Wigan. Montrose School Lancashire United Transport,; for the Leeds & Liverpool Margaret Hegan Montrose Avenue Canal Co. for 51 years (he 61 Chester Lane Pemberton later she died quite young and Mrs May Platt was 83 when he died) and he Stevenage Wigan another daughter Lucy kept 12 Brindlehurst Drive served his apprenticeship in Herts. WN5 9XN house for her brother-in-law Astley the Parbold Boat Yard. It SG1 4JY and family. Nora Edwards Tyldesley seems he had only been Tel: 01438 233687 married one of the Gardner’s M29 7NG 26 Thomas’s Church and Day the Leigh Manufacturing Regt.) in which he served at , Coventry School. In my young days Co. Unfortunately their for five years. where he worked for 34 Bedford Cinema was very two mills closed down at The war years were years and eventually popular in the same street the beginning of the slump long but we were able to became a supervisor. I have where I lived. We also used in the cotton trade, and I find entertainment in the been a pianist for the to enjoy the church dances moved to Stanley Mill in cinemas of Leigh: ‘The Coventry Keep Fit in Leigh. The most popular Duke Street where I Regal’ in Association for over 30 Saturday evening dances worked only for three Street, ‘The Empire’ in years, and still play the were those of Leigh Parish weeks, following which I Bradshawgate, ‘The piano for a local ladies Memories Church Institute and in St. went to Welch Hill Factory Palace’ and ‘Sems’ in choir, for elderly people’s Joseph’s Dance Hall. I met in Twist Lane. After two Railway Road. I still homes and clubs, and for of war my late husband, Robert happy years there, my remember the first talking Salvation Army Senior Scotson, at a St. Peter’s father, Wilfred Collinge, pictures at a cinema on citizens. My daughter also years in Church dance. As a boy he suggested I go to Leigh Road, and across the teaches the piano in lived in Byrom Hall, Courtaulds Brook Mill as a way was Leigh Coventry to school children. Leigh Lowton. (He also had a weaver, an Hippodrome with the live My son, Allan, works brother, Abraham, who was improvement from my shows. The ‘Theatre Royal’ as a Free Evangelical Dear Sir, a well-known local figure previous work. A new in Lord Street had all kinds Church minister in Finland I enclose a letter of as the shop manager at shed was opened of variety - I wonder what and he introduced me to memories of Leigh. I Leigh Meadow Dairy, and at Bedford Square where this building is now? I also Past Forward during my enjoyed reading your Past after the War as the owner we weavers were each belonged to an amateur recent visit in his home. Forward magazine while of a grocer’s shop on the given 10 to 14 looms to dramatic group at St. Now having read the past on holiday in Finland. Wigan Road. He was operate on shift work, and Thomas’s Church in five editions I wanted to I wish you success in president of the Leigh & five years I was employed Bedford. Harry Heap was express my appreciation this magazine. District Grocers weaving parachute the producer of Gilbert & for many happy memories Association, 1961-2). material during wartime. Sullivan operettas. they gave me. I thank God ELLEN SCOTSON My occupation on My husband and I were In 1946 we came to for all these. (Nellie Collinge) leaving school at 14 years separated by the War after live in Coventry. My Ellen Scotson b. 6 Feb. 1916 old, was at Ogden’s Sweet one month of marriage - husband had worked in 235 Middlemarch Road I lived in Brideoake Factory in West Leigh. I Robert Scotson enlisted for Stanley Mill, Leigh but Radford, Coventry Street, Bedford, Leigh. As left this work a year later to the Army Airborne due to the slump there, he Warwickshire a girl I attended St. learn a trade in weaving at Division (later Parachute found work in silk spinning CV6 3GJ

tinted windows. mentioned Mr. Marsden, about three years old at the all now spoiled. Most of us H.A.G.S. - My form did not do known as Moses. He was time, but the place were the first in our cookery but for the first the Divinity teacher and captured my imagination families to have such a 1946 two years we had the also did third form and my ambition from that splendid opportunity, with intake benefit of Miss Moody’s Geography. An absolutely day was to go to the all doors open to the able needlework classes. The darling man, he was a ‘granny’ school. From a and willing. Sadly the recollections first term we made a Congregational minister present-day standpoint it is school as such, like many traycloth, but next came a who apparently had served difficult to envisage all similar schools, is no Dear Sir, more ambitious project - a for many years in the those kids, mostly from more. One wonders what I have recently had the pair of wincyette pyjamas China mission. If you poor households, being we have thrown away in loan of several copies of each. Miss Moody could get him talking privileged to attend such a the name of progress. Past Forward, primarily so informed us that the about his time in China superb school with that I could read the letters Headmaster would there was no formal lesson excellent teachers and Edna Booth (nee and articles on Hindley & certainly wish to see us that day. He was also facilities. Many of the Pennington) Abram Grammar School. I model the finished reputed to have a ‘plastic teachers were admittedly a 12 Chapel Walk was at H.A.G.S., in the garments. They took so ear’ to replace one which little eccentric in some Lowton St. Mary’s 1946 intake, and you may long to make that we’d had been cut off by ways but so much the Warrington, Cheshire be interested in several grown out of them before unspecified ‘natives’. better for it. The gym was WA3 1EE recollections which no-one they were finished, but Then there was state-of-the-art, the hall else seems to have thankfully Mr. Britten ‘Stinks’ Beaumont. He and library were a dream - mentioned. showed no interest. taught Chemistry and was The first is Miss A friend suggested we also the Scout Master. He Published by Wigan Heritage Service, Leisure Services Nicholas’s car. Very few should volunteer to make had magic reflective Department, Market Suite, Market Hall, The Galleries, Wigan WN1 1PX. people had cars in 1946, the cricket tea for the glasses which enabled him but Nick had one - a large, Saturday afternoon match. to see what was going on The views expressed in this issue are not necessarily supported by Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council, or by its much pre-war model, of It was supposed to be good behind his back when he Recreation and Amenities Committee. Nothing printed may be the square box on wire fun but we only did it once. was writing on the board. construed as policy or an official announcement unless so wheels variety which, In a back room in the He wore a hefty leather stated. shortly before nine pavilion was an enormous belt with a large buckle Neither Wigan Council, nor the Editor, accept liability for any o’clock each morning, mound of sliced bread, a bearing the Scout motto matter in this publication. made its stately progress small tin of salmon, half a ‘Be Prepared’. As he was Contributions are welcome but no responsibility can be taken into the school yard and pound or so of butter and a also wearing braces this for loss or damage to contributors’ material. disgorged Miss Nicholas, big old tea urn. We were was a source of great Miss Craig, Miss Moody supposed to feed two amusement to the coarser and Miss Unsworth. As I cricket teams! Mind you, I ones amongst us. remember, it, this machine I first saw the school think food was rationed at © Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council was dark blue with black the time. when I was taken out for a March 1999 trim and curious yellow- No-one seems to have walk by my grandad. I was 27 Who? Where?

There was a good response to last issue’s Who? Where? particularly with regard to the middle two photographs. Osbourne House is still standing, on Billinge Road, Highfield, Wigan. One suggestion for the photograph of the bridge and houses was Platt Bridge, but there was an overwhelming identification as Union Bridge, Newtown, Wigan. Mr Frederick Sim, writing from Wyoming, USA, provided such detail that extracts from his letter are reproduced below: Gentlemen, I have just received the Past Forward, issue 20. As usual your magazine is excellent, interesting and a great reviver of wonderful memories. The photos on the last page (photo No. 4) is of Union Bridge, Newtown, Pemberton and was used to carry coal from Norley Pit. The shop with the awning down was a toffee shop and was owned or operated by a family by the name of Sedwick (I hope I have spelt the name correct). Looking through the bridge opening there are (left side) several light standards; about the second one would be where Mr. Ashurst had his photographic studio. However, the studio where he actually took pictures was a little further up towards Spring Bank. Also not shown in the picture are Mitchell and Manor Streets and Dr. Benson’s dental office. As a youngster we boys used to joke about the sign in front of his office - “Painless Dentistry”, we used to say, sure doesn’t hurt the dentist. Another point about the picture - at the end of the row, going towards Wigan, was McLeod’s bakery. Thanks for your fine publication, as a great many of your articles are things-and-times I can look back on, and Ernie Taberner’s articles are as always right on the dot, very accurate.

Frederick Sims

Referring back to issue no 19, details of the mystery funeral have been found in the Leigh Chronicle. The deceased was Ernest Henry Holding, a Sergeant in the Boer War who became a driver with South Lancashire Tramways. This, of course, accounts for the flag draped over the coffin and the tramcars in the procession. Ernest Holding died in May 1912 of double pneumonia, aged only 32.

This time, the photographs for identification, apart from one of a mystery house, all have a religious theme. One is of the interior of a church c. 1906; the other two are more recent, and feature Archbishops Downey and Heenan of Liverpool. Any suggestions? If so please contact Len Hudson in Leigh Town Hall (01942 404432)