Produced by Wigan Heritage Service Issue No. 59 December - March 2012

Writing Competition £1 Winners Revealed

YOUR HERITAGE HERItaGE SERVICE

Contents Letter from the 3 Heritage Service Editorial Team 4/5 South Bank – The History of a House With Christmas fast approaching, 6/7 Wigan's Lost why not attend one of our Christmas Jewish Heritage events to get you in the festive spirit? 8 Lowton Blacksmiths Leave the shopping centre crowds behind and bring 9 Archives News your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews 10 Heritage News to our Christmas Super Saturday event. The event will take place at the Museum of Wigan Life on 11 International Pool Saturday 17 December from 11am-2.30pm. There Remembered will be art and craft activities, christmas carols, objects 12/13 Local and to handle and something special thrown in. Family History News The Arts and Heritage Team have been busy planning our exhibitions and 14/15 My Christmas Past events for January – June 2012. Look out for a copy of the new exhibitions 16 and events guide or call the museum on 01942 828128 to have a copy A Medieval posted to your door. Religious Recluse 17 Finally, if you like the front cover photograph then make sure you come Collections Corner along to our What a Picture...What a Photograph! Exhibition. In the 18/19 Probing Pictures exhibition you will find many more stunning photographs by members of Wigan Photographic Society. The exhibition is on at the Museum of Wigan 20/21 The Fate of Two Life until 21 February 2012. Soldier Friends On behalf of everyone at Wigan Arts and Heritage Service we would 22/23 All Things Bright like to wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a and Beautiful prosperous and Happy New Year. 24/25 Sowing Success: A brief history of Harrison, McGregor • Articles must be received by the copy date if inclusion in the next 26/27 Beginnings of White Information for issue is desired Cross Movement in Leigh and District Contributors Submission Guidelines 28/30 The Wartime Diaries If you would like to submit an article • Electronic submissions are of Leigh Tommy and for Past FORWARD , please note that: preferred, although handwritten Thomas Cooke ones will be accepted • Publication is at discretion of 31 Your Letters Editorial Team • We prefer articles to have a maximum length of 1,000 words 32/33 Frank RIdyard Horrocks: • The Editorial Team may edit An Unremarkable your submission • Include photographs or images Pioneer where possible – these can be • Submissions will remain on file returned if requested 34 Goodbye the Palace until published • Include your name and address – we 35 Society News • Submissions may be held on file for will not pass on your details publication in a future edition to anyone unless you have given us FRONT COVER • Published and rejected submissions permission to do so Mesnes Park in the Snow will be disposed of, unless you We aim to acknowledge receipt of request for them to be returned by Lisa Naylor of Wigan all submissions. Photographic Society. CONTACT DETAILS: [email protected] or The Editor at Past FORWARD , Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan WN1 1NU. 2 HERItaGE SERVICE

Writing Competition Results FORWARD There were lots of excellent entries into the Past Past FORWARD Local History Writing Competition and it was very hard to choose a winner. We would like to thank the Subscription Form Wigan Borough Environment and Heritage Network who came up with the idea to run the competition and kindly provided the prizes. The prize winners were as follows: Past Forward Subscription Subscription is £5 for three First Prize (£100) issues. Payment by cheque Thomas McGrath South Bank - The History of a House (payable to Wigan Leisure & Second Prize (£75) Culture Trust), postal order or Richard Jackson Wigan’s Lost Jewish Heritage credit/debit card (telephone Third Prize (£50) 01942 828128). Susan Rigby Lowton Blacksmiths Please state which issue you wish your membership to begin You can read the prize winning articles on pages four to eight. The judging panel consisted of representatives K I am a registered blind person and of the Past Forward Editorial Team and the Wigan Borough would like the CD version Environment and Heritage Network. We Name hope you enjoy reading Address the prize winning entries as much as we did. Postcode We would like to thank Telephone No. everyone who took the Email time to enter the competition. All entries Signed Date have been kept on file K Please tick here if you would like to receive information and may be published regarding Wigan Leisure & Culture activities and events. in future editions. Finally, we hope to run Prize winners Susan Rigby, We do not pass your details to other organisations. the competition again Richard Jackson and Return to: The Museum of Wigan Life, Past Forward in 2012, so watch Thomas McGrath with Network Chairman John O'Neill. Subscription, Library Street, Wigan WN1 1NU this space! Heritage Service Christmas Opening Hours Copy

Museum of Leigh Archives Trencherfield Deadline Wigan Life Local History Mill for Sat 24 Dec 11am – 3pm Closed Closed Closed Sun 25 Dec Closed Closed Closed Closed Issue 60 Mon 26 Dec Closed Closed Closed Closed Tues 27 Dec Closed Closed Closed Closed Contributors please note the Wed 28 Dec Closed 9am – 5pm Via Leigh Local Hist Closed deadline for the Thurs 29 Dec 10am – 5pm 9am – 5pm Via Leigh Local Hist Closed receipt of Fri 30 Dec 10am – 5pm Closed Closed Closed material for publication is Sat 31 Dec 11am – 3pm Closed Closed Closed Friday 24 Sun 1 Jan Closed Closed Closed Closed February 2012. Mon 2 Jan Closed Closed Closed Closed

3 South Bank - By Thomas McGrath The history of a House

Nestled next to rows of terraced Jane, who was only 15 in 1891, was houses is South Bank, a large in employment as a teacher and her Victorian villa built in Atherton, younger sister followed her into this profession. This highlights the first 121 years ago, as impressive social change that South Bank now as when it was first built. witnessed over the years, as women The history of the house has at the turn of the century were many chapters, and each family becoming more independent, strong that lived there made their willed and joining the workforce. mark. More over the history of In 1892 scandal hit South Bank as South Bank reflects the history Mary O’Neill, the Peacock’s of Atherton itself. unmarried maid, gave birth to a son. It is not known who the father The Peacock Family was, but uncommonly for the time, the Peacock’s did not dismiss Mary, Around the mid-1880s construction Claude Herbert Blair, from the but kept her in employment, even began on South Bank, which at Leigh 1907 the time was land at the top of when they left South Bank in 1894 and moved to The Hollies, off Lee Street. It was completed by During the Blair family’s time South Bolton Old Road. late 1890. Bank saw its second social change. The house is characteristic of that It is unknown why the Peacock’s By the time of the 1901 census the late Victorian era, fortunately one left South Bank and by 1901 they landscape around SouthBank had of the few that is still exist intact left Atherton and moved to Derby. altered dramatically. Between 1896- today. The house features; a cellar, Mary O’Neill married William 1899 rows of terraced houses were two living rooms, a dining room, Seddon in 1895 and they set up built next to and facing South Bank, kitchen, larder, five bedrooms and their own home in Atherton, along creating Hamilton Street, but in typical Victorian fashion, a with the baby. spoiling the Blair’s views of the bathroom with separate WC farms and fields of Millers Lane. (thought to be more sanitary). The Blair Family Further construction of the Dan All the rooms are richly decorated Lane Mills took place at the back of In 1895 Claude Herbert Blair, his with high ceilings, cornicing, dado South Bank in the same period. It wife Annie Maria and their eight rails and panelled doors. was during this time that Atherton children; Annie Marie, William, was at an industrial boom, and the The first family to live in the house Claude, Ada, Florence, Herman, population rose from over 12,000 from 1890-1894 was the Peacock Harold and Dorothea moved into in 1881 to over 16,000 by 1901. family, originally from Renfrewshire South Bank from Poynton, Cheshire. in Scotland. The Head of the family, Under the Blair family, Claude was another mill manager, John Peacock was a mill manager; South Bank was a busy home, in however he was a keen athlete in his he lived in South Bank with his 1901 all eight children are still at youth and was also well travelled wife Mary, their children Mary Jane, home, and a daughter-in-law speaking French and German Harry, Jemima, John, Agnes and and granddaughter are new fluently. In 1907 he was elected as a Archibald. The family also family members. county Magistrate, and previously he employed a domestic maid, held a commission in one of As their children got older and Mary O’Neill from Cheshire. Manchester’s Territorial Battalions. married, the remaining Blair’s The Peacock family were quite He was involved in Atherton society moved to Sanderson House, also in prosperous, and this would have during his time at South Bank as a Atherton. Later they moved to been reflected in the decor and member of the Atherton Higher Southport where Annie Maria died furnishings of the house. Despite Education Society and Vice President in 1924 and Claude in 1925. this, their eldest daughter Mary of the Liberal Club.

4 South Bank is still owned by the Daley family today. Despite over 120 years of long and colourful history, from mill managers to FIRST doctors, South Bank still retains the charm of the period in which it was built, waiting for the next chapter PRIZE of its history to unfold.

The Brooks Family Around 1920 another family take over South Bank, Harold Brooks, his wife Martha and their three grown up daughters Ellen, Louie and Edith. Little is known about the Dr John Daniel Gallagher, photograph Brooks' time at South Bank, taken from his obituary in 1967 although some outbuildings built in the garden still exist today. The Gallagher family remained in South Bank in the early 1900s Ellen married in 1921 at the residence at South Bank until 1967 Chowbent Chapel, Louie married in when John Gallagher died, his wife 1929 at Manchester Cathedral and having passed away the year before. Edith married in 1937 at St John’s in Atherton. After their daughters The Daley Family were married Harold and Martha moved on. Around 1968-69, James Daley, his wife Constance and their five The Gallagher Family children moved into South Bank. In 1938 South Bank took on a The final changes were made to completely new role as two Irish South Bank by the Daley’s. doctors, John Daniel Gallagher and A garage was built on the side of his wife Mary Kate bought South the house and the garden was Bank. They moved in with their five developed and now a pair of children, having previously lived semi-detached houses stand there. and worked at West Bank House in South Bank today Hindsford. The ground floor of South Bank now became the Gallagher’s work space and upstairs was their living quarters. The dining room now became a waiting room, with chairs lining the walls. The two living rooms became consultation rooms and the kitchen remained as it was. This enters South Bank into another social change that was occurring at this time. After the war the upkeep of larger and older houses became more difficult, many were demolished and others set to different purposes. South Bank was not the only medical house in Atherton; Alder House was used as a clinic for many years and Dam House in Astley was turned into a sanitary hospital. Aerial view of South Bank

5 Wigan’s lost By Richard W Jackson Jewish Heritage

On Sunday 4 December 1898, emigration to Britain from Eastern Wigan’s Jewish community Europe and Russia. Until this time, gathered for a special meeting only three Jews had lived in of remembrance. Two weeks Wigan. One was Abraham Hartz: a previous, the founder of their Hebrew teacher who, in 1851, congregation, Mr Charles lived in the Smiths’ Buildings off SECOND Ableson, had died on Wigan Lane, close to where the 20 November. His death Tyldesley Monument stands today. PRIZE certificate reads: cause of By 1881, 12 Jews lived in Wigan. death from carbonic oxide gas This figure rose to 69 in 1891, from a fire in a bucket, taken before peaking at 82 in 1901. by him in his bedroom. Being A neglected history, little is known only 35 years of age, The about Wigan’s Jewish heritage. Jewish Chronicle noted the Manchester Jewish community and Alfred Niman ran a deep ‘sense of loss’ felt by archives only record that a single successful furniture shop from Wigan’s Jewish community, synagogue existed in Wigan. In 32 School Lane. Business rivalry, commending that Ableson fact, there were two. The first however, created a schism in the community. ‘had worked zealously hard for opened in late 1886, located at the welfare of his co- 26 Foy Street (once immediately Wigan’s first Rabbi, the reader at religionists’. His death even north of Darlington Street). Foy Street, was a gentleman featured in the local On 18 March 1887, the named Myer Berkowitz. Originally newspapers, with The Wigan President of the Manchester from Poland, he came to England Observer carrying the Hebrew Congregation, Mr L in 1887. After a short period in ignominious headline, ‘Strange Cobe, presented the Wigan Manchester, he moved to Wigan Death Of A Jew’. Congregation with a Sepher Torah with his wife and five children, (handwritten Torah scroll). The living at 19 Great George Street. Although Charles Abelson had second and known synagogue Described as a likeable man and a overseen the consecration of a opened years later at 22 Bold respected Hebrew scholar, Rev place of worship in 1886, Street (once behind Wigan Little Berkowitz was involved in an cementing a Jewish congregation Theatre). Whilst 26 Foy Street was incident that captured the in Wigan, the historical presence a residential home, the Bold Street attention of Britain’s entire of Jews began much earlier. property served solely as a Jewish population. After an Records suggest that medieval synagogue, to cope with auspicious start for Wigan’s Jews traded in Wigan, and are increasing congregation numbers. Jewish community, their first believed to have occupied an area A ‘Jewish Tabernacle’ appears here Rabbi was tragically killed. that came to be known as in the 1901 census. The Jews’ Yard. Once accessed It was Passover week, Monday between 70 and 72 Millgate, The A cluster of successful, business- 26 March 1888, and Myer Jews’ Yard existed in name until owning families formed the Berkowitz was out teaching. the twentieth century, poignantly backbone of Wigan’s Jewish Whilst walking up Wallgate, close to where Abelson resided community: the Kresner, Tarshish, passing the Victoria Hotel, a and died of accidental Niman, Ableson, Franks, Sytner, lime merchant’s horse dashed suffocation at 58 Millgate. and Schur families. Alfred out of the Lancashire and Kresner’s tailoring business, at Yorkshire Railway siding. Before Wigan’s nineteenth century Jewish 134 Standishgate, appeared in the Rabbi could move, the shaft population formed in the 1880s - the Commercial Directory of of the cart struck the side of his a result of increased Jewish British Jews, whilst Aaron Sytner head - he was dead in three

6 minutes. At the inquest, held commented on the need for Wigan’s Jewish community is at the Swan and Railway Hotel the congregation to maintain a 1935 Jewish Chronicle two days later, attended by unity, if they wished to build a article, which noted: ‘The members of Berkowitz’s larger synagogue, for the development of differences congregation, the jury returned community to survive. After apparently led to the final a verdict of ‘Accidentally killed’. testing Wigan’s Jewish children disruption of the community, A town in shock at the death at their Hebrew, afternoon tea whose members gradually left. of a likeable resident, the was held at the Niman family Now, there is only one Jew left Wigan Examiner commented: home on Hodges Street. in Wigan.’ ‘It was an extremely distressing case to have the leading The visit of the Chief Rabbi This is a condensed article, minister of the Jewish religion showed how far Wigan’s written from ongoing research in Wigan, in the prime of his Jewish community had into Wigan’s Jewish life, killed in such an abrupt developed in a mere 20 years. community. If anyone can manner in one of the principal However, petty rivalries offer any information about streets of the town.’ persisted and the synagogue the Jewish presence in Wigan, closed in 1908, with members or are interested to read and Following the synagogue’s of the congregation moving to learn more, please contact the move to Bold Street, a meeting surrounding cities. Sadly, the author via email: was held on 28 October 1900. last known record of [email protected] Here, it was decided that the dispute that plagued Wigan’s Jewry would end and ‘several Sources: declarations of peace were The Jewish read and passed’. From this Chronicle, date, Wigan Jews united under Census and one body: the Wigan Hebrew Enumerator Congregation. Later, a Jewish Returns 1951 to school even opened at 1901, The Wigan 6 Crompton Street. Known as Observer and the New Jerusalem Rooms, the Evening Chronicle Wigan Dorshei Zion Society The Wigan also held meetings here. Examiner. Regular lectures on Zionism were given, and the group, led by Solomon Schur of 157 Darlington Street, later joined the English Zionist Federation.

A firm Jewish identity grew in the town. In 1903, Wigan’s Jewry again appeared in the local news headlines – this Jew’s Yard can time for a positive reason. On be seen in the 14 May, the town was top right honoured by a visit from the corner of the Chief Rabbi, Dr Nathan Adler. map. The As part of a northern tour, he Library (today arrived in Wigan at noon from the Museum of Wigan Life) can Preston, met off the train by be seen in the Wigan’s Rabbi of this time, Rev bottom left W Hirshowitz, and other corner. Wigan community leaders. The Chief OS Street Map Rabbi spoke at the synagogue, XCIII.8.16, expressing his pleasure at Survey 1889, meeting ‘those who were publication members of the small Jewish 1890. community of Wigan’. He also

7 By Susan Lowton Rugby THIRD Blacksmiths PRIZE

In the 1900s no village was without a blacksmith, Lowton was and turned their hand to a variety no exception. The supply of work of work as the demands changed was so high that it was the home with time. to two well established practices, The blacksmith's was not only a just a stone-throw apart. One was place to have things repaired; it was situated on Newton Road and is also a focal point of the community. now the site of a bungalow (263 The hot bellows would attract many Newton Road). The other premises passersby on cold days. As a child I still stands on the corner of The blacksmith’s shop on the recall taking shelter in the Smithy on Kenyon Lane and is presently a corner of Kenyon Lane. It is now a my walk home from school. My classic car showroom. car showroom. father in his later years would happily find things to repair so he Work of a blacksmith did not only This affinity with boxing is much could call on Herbert Jordan to catch involve shoeing horses which were better identified in the other Lowton up on the local news. obviously more numerous before the blacksmiths. Owned and run by introduction of motor vehicles on Amos Henshaw in the 1900s and As times change and we head off to our roads. They carried out all types then by Chris Jordan after 1918. This the DIY superstores to buy new of machinery repairs, especially place was where Peter Kane started power tools or replacement parts, it plough, cultivator tine and rake work as an apprentice. is worth reflecting on the skills these repairs for the local farmers. They blacksmiths had. The blacksmith had Peter Kane was originally born in carried out welding and fitting iron the ability to mould iron into shape Heywood, Lancashire on 28 February rims for wheels, made and repaired by just using fire and a hammer. I 1918, but he moved with his family gates, forks and spades, made bolts wonder how much iron work still to Golborne before his first birthday. and completed many other iron remains in the Lowton community He made his professional boxing working tasks. that was a product of these two debut in December 1934, at the age great smithies. Jethro Higson was a competent of sixteen, when he fought and beat Lowton blacksmith in the 1900s, Joe Jacobs in Liverpool. He then who later transferred the business went on to record a string of forty- to his apprentice ‘Mat’ Howarth. one consecutive wins. Peter became Mat was a lively character who the World Flyweight Champion in married the barmaid at the Red Lion September 1938, a title he then held facing his smithy, a place he onto for five years. In his boxing regularly frequented. He kept a pair career he won over 88 fights. Peter of boxing gloves handy and cleared died on 23 July 1991. Throughout the smithy floor to host local lads most of his boxing career he worked boxing bouts. at the Lowton Smithy.

The number of horses dramatically declined after World War I and as a result blacksmith work decreased. One of the Lowton smithies closed in 1920 but the other remained in operation into the 1980s. Chris Jordan passed the business onto his son Herbert Jordan who worked there until he finally retired. The Jordans were Blacksmith Jethro Higson holding the competent friendly blacksmiths horse and Mat Howarth at work. Peter Kane.

8 aRCHIVEs NEWS

Your Archives Collections Corner: Court Records Dozens of new images from the collection have been added to the Wigan Images Online website. The On 13 November 1789, in a letter to his friend, Jean images are aerial views of the Wigan end of the Baptiste Le Roy, Benjamin Franklin famously wrote, borough, taken in the years after the Second World 'Our new Constitution is now established, and has an War as part of plans for redevelopment in the appearance that promises permanency; but in this borough and the provision of new housing. The world nothing can be said to be certain, except death images were donated by Wigan Council’s planning and taxes'. department and can be view at http://wiganimages.wlct.org/ Franklin was reflecting on the United States Constitution, adopted just over two years previously, Thanks to the hard work of Archive volunteers, several and his observation on the certainties of life is one new transcripts are available on the Archives website, that remains true to this day. including the individuals named in the Wigan Poor Law Union, Vaccination Register, 1899-1909, those Another near certainty is that where there are taxes, named on the 1791 Pennington Window Tax there will be records. Most local archives have records Assessment, and the diary of the Regency era of taxation in one form or another that reach back schoolboy, Raleigh Trevelyan. through the centuries. At the Wigan Archives Service there are several important series of records for anyone with an interest in the history of taxation, or Recent Acquisitions more likely, those searching for gaps in family histories.

New listings continue as usual thanks to the work of • Rating Records are vital sources for genealogy. Archive staff and volunteers. Collections accepted or Collected every year, often from the seventeenth listed in the last few months include: century onwards, they provide details of property ownership and residences of tenants. This annual • Boothstown Mine Rescue Station, papers of Colin recording makes these sources particularly useful Holland, 1980-1990 (Acc. 2011/102) for researchers, in contrast to census data • Tyldesley Swimming Club, 1976-2005, additional appearing only every ten years. Rates take a variety records (D/DS/16) of forms, including for the poor, water, gas, • Wigan Over 50s Forum, photographic collection electricity, and the general council rates that (Acc. 2011/108) continue to the present, in the form of Council Tax. • PEMBEC Pemberton Business and Enterprise • Window Tax, designed to College records (Acc. 2011/113) impose a tax relative to • Opening of the John McCurdy Hall, Wigan, by H.M. the wealth of the Queen Elizabeth II, individual, generated 1954, photographs records that give an (Acc. 2011/119) impression of the size of • Wigan Planning households, including Department, Planning whether servants were Control images (shop kept. • Finally, the Tithe records fronts, signs and from the 1830s, advertising), 1957-1982 generated as a result of (Acc. 2011/91) the Tithe Commutation • Leigh and Hindley Act, are an important Methodist Circuit, Queen Elizabeth II opening source for anyone Westleigh Trinity the John McCurdy Hall, studying early Victorian Methodist Church, Wigan, 1954 land usage and Pennington Window Tax Assessment, 1791 additional records ownership. Not only are (D/NML/8) all properties listed and ownership recorded in the tithe schedules, but each township was mapped Details of the collections listed above are available and properties cross referenced to the schedule to from the Archives Service, as is further information on allow the Tithe Commissions to accurately decide other recent acquisitions. upon rents due.

9 HERItaGE NEWS

help fund, develop and run events professionalism and staff attitude. and projects. If you are enthusiastic Achieving this standard shows the about the history of your local commitment and enthusiasm of community and would like to staff and volunteers across the become involved, why not come Libraries, Heritage and Arts section along to see what we are doing? You and is an exceptional achievement can make new friends, be part of an considering the difficult enthusiastic and committed team, circumstances of the last year. Hugh learn something new, enjoy our Keachie the assessor commented success and know that you will be that passion for the services came contributing to the history of your across during his surveillance visits at community for future generations. Wigan and Leigh venues and that to achieve the standard to full If you decide to become a Friend you compliance shows that customer will be asked to pay an annual excellence is embedded throughout subscription of £10. This brings with the service. it a range of benefits including free entry to talks, free training and development, free copies of our Holocaust Heritage magazine Past Forward, VIP Memorial Day 2012 views of exhibitions and sites and a 10 per cent discount on goods from Friday 27 January Our Heritage DVD the shop. Why not take advantage This year's theme is 'Speak Up Howe Bridge village, Chowbent of these incentives to join us, learn and have some fun? Speak Out'. Ceremonies of Chapel in Atherton, the Marsh Commemoration will take place at: Gymnasium in Leigh, St Wilfrid's Make a note in your diary for Church in Standish and the Abram Saturday 17 March 2012 at the 10.30am Council Chamber, Morris Dancers are just some of the Museum of Wigan Life. This will be a Town Hall, Wigan stories featured in 'Our Heritage', a ‘Super Saturday’ event run by the (Hewlett Street entrance) new DVD celebrating the history of Friends in conjunction with staff of 1.30pm Derby Room, Wigan Borough. the Arts and Heritage Services and Turnpike Centre, Leigh The film tells the untold story of will be celebrating all things Irish These events are free and all are many of the historical buildings and because it is St Patrick's Day. From welcome to attend. For information traditions of the Wigan area, and 11am until 2.30pm. Watch out for call 01942 828128 highlights the efforts of grassroots more details nearer the time. groups and individual volunteers to If you would like to join the Friends Discover Volunteering preserve heritage in their own local group please call the Reception Desk at Wigan Heritage and area. The DVD has been produced by at the Museum of Wigan Life the Wigan Borough Environment telephone 01942 828128 or email Arts Services and Heritage Network, who are an [email protected]. umbrella organisation for all the Where can you volunteer with us? local history and environmental Family History Gallery at the groups in the Borough, along with Customer Service Museum of Wigan Life Tradition Films, who specialise in Excellence Trencherfield Mill Steam Engine heritage videos. Outreach across the Borough The DVD is available to buy in the We did it ! Turnpike Gallery Leigh Library Museum of Wigan Life shop and What could you do? Leigh Library, or online at Libraries, Heritage and Arts have • Help people trace their www.traditionfilms.co.uk. The DVD retained the Government Standard family history is priced at £10. Customer Service • Meeting and greeting visitors at Excellence Trencherfield Mill standard with full Friends of Wigan Arts • Assisting visitors at the compliance across Turnpike Gallery and Heritage Services the criteria. The • Help the outreach team deliver This newly reconstituted group is standard is based events across the Borough looking for new members to help on five service support and actively work jointly criteria- delivery, For more information please contact with the Arts and Heritage staff of timeliness, Lynne Marsh on 01942 828128 Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust to information, or e-mail [email protected]

10 INTERNATIONAL POOL REMEMBERED

The new Wigan Life Centre Pool originally laid by Joseph Johnson, may be open but the old Mayor of Wigan 47 years ago. On International Pool has not been behalf of the family we would like forgotten. The International Pool to express our thanks to Jenny opened in 1966 and produced Broadbent at Museum of Wigan many top swimmers, including Life for heading up this project, Olympic medallist June Croft. thereby ensuring we continue to The International Pool closed in preserve the heritage of the town.' 2008 to make way for the new Life Centre Pool. The inscription reads: THIS FOUNDATION STONE WAS Following the closure, the Heritage LAID BY HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR Service was contacted by Joseph OF WIGAN JOSEPH JOHNSON J.P. Johnson whose Uncle, also called ON THE 29TH DAY OF APRIL 1964. Joseph Johnson, laid the foundation stone of the International Pool when he was Mayor of Wigan. Mr Johnson was keen to find out what had happened to the foundation stone The foundation stone is laid by Mayor Johnson in 1964 © John following the demolition of the Anthony Johnson. pool. The Heritage Service appropriately situated near the discovered that the foundation entrance to the old International stone was safely in the hands of Pool where Joseph Johnson the building contractors Morgan originally laid the foundation Sindall. The design team of stone.’ LCE/Astudio architects and Golders Associates landscape architects Joseph Johnson stated 'It is most were asked to explore options to appropriate that the foundation incorporate the stone into the stone from Wigan’s Olympic structure of the new Life Centre Swimming Pool has been re-laid building. Unfortunately damage to adjacent to the place it was the stone and the design of the The foundation stone today. building meant this was not possible. An alternative solution was discussed to incorporate the stone into the landscaping around the site and a site was chosen at the south end of the Life Centre.

Jenny Broadbent, Collections Officer at Wigan Heritage Service says ‘I am pleased we have been able to reach a solution and incorporate the foundation stone into the new site. It is The foundation stone after it was removed from Wigan International Pool.

11 LOCAL & FAMILY HIstORY NEWs

Reference Books added to the History of the county of of the reign of Elizabeth I was stock of the local studies library Wiltshire volume XVIII Cricklade this to be complied with. at the Museum of Wigan Life. and environs. Consequently many registers begin only from 1558, rather Donations First steps in Genealogy than 20 years earlier. Crockford’s Clerical Directory Prior to the start of civil The Act also asked for copies of for the years 1989-90 and registration on 1 July 1837, and the registers to be made and 1959-60. 283.025 continuing on to the present sent to the bishop’s office. Trade Union Congress date for many people, the These bishop’s transcripts, as Two centuries of trade Church has been an important they are called, are normally unionism. 331.8 focus and powerful institution kept in the nominated archive Fyrth, HJ. The foundry workers: throughout Britain. Its records offices of the ancient dioceses a trade union history. 331.88 are many and varied and are a such as Lichfield, Lincoln, and Ashton, T. Three big strikes in great source for our family York rather than the modern the coal industry. 331.8928 history research. Over the next dioceses of Chester or Liverpool Anglesea, Moses. My life as a few issues I will explore these etc. These transcripts can be pit boy from January 1923 to and show how they will help in useful when the original May 1925. 338.762 compiling your own family’s register has been lost or is Pitt, GJ. Iron foundry practice. history. In the main they are difficult to read. 671.2 cheaper to use than civil Standish bazaar 1911. LPV23 Early registers in the main records and can sometimes be have few details with used to bypass civil records General sometimes only the father altogether. Corley, T A B. Beechams being named and often without 1848-2000: from pills to Baptism registers a mother’s name. These are pharmaceuticals. 338.47615 usually in Latin. For example in Fielding, S. The hangman’s The system of the recording of the registers of All Saints Wigan record 1868-1964 in three baptisms, marriages and are the entries: volumes. 364.660941 burials by churches started in Margret Forde : f : James F de A very brief history of Crooke 1538. Only a minority of Scowles December 4 (1580) Village. 370.942736 parishes have registers going Oxford Archaeology North back that far however, and Adam Bancks : f : John Bancks Discovering Coccium: initially, the names of the March 7 (1585) The archaeology of Roman children may have been written Wigan. 936.273604 on loose sheets of papers. Over This improves over time to: time these have often been lost Beckman, M. Flying the red Anne daughter of Peter along with the names of our duster: a merchant seaman’s Thomason of Hindley ancestors! From 1597 special first voyage into the battle of 14 March (1601) the Atlantic. 940.54293 registers had to be kept and Atherton, D W. Kitt Green any surviving scraps of paper With occasional slips to: 1900-1939: Recollections of a were incorporated into these. A daughter of Thomas Shawe bygone age. 942.736 Each page was to be signed by of Hallgate April 5 (1620) Hughes, R D. Golborne. the vicar and churchwarden to 942.736 show it was a true record. Very The Civil War years add another History of the county of Oxford often however, this instruction dimension to church registers volume XVI Henley-on-Thames was interpreted as meaning with in fact many persons not and environs. that only from the beginning being baptised until the ending

12 of hostilities and the return of Jane (the) daughter of Prayer recommended Sunday a vicar who may have fled at John and Elizabeth Ellam. as the day baptism should be the start of the war. Between Born Nov 25 1778. performed or a holy day, unless 1653 and 1660 the registers the child was close to death. became the responsibility of a Baptisms, burials and marriages Over time and parish this local official known as the were, up until 1812, all changed but was rarely more Parish Register, who was recorded often within the same than a fortnight. A celebration elected by ratepayers and book. Following the Rose Act normally followed. Traditional approved by the magistrates. of 1812, separate printed gifts were apostle spoons, He recorded births not registers had to be used for porringers, bowls and mounted baptisms, marriages and each event. This resulted once coral teething rings for the deaths, not burials. Many of again in the loss of a lot of baby to cut its teeth on as well these new registers do not detail but ensured consistency as a protection against survive. The Parish Register in detail across all Church of witchcraft. This was disliked was very often the Parish Clerk, England churches. by the Puritans who changed it who often filled in the old for a Bible, a tradition parish register as well, though Catholic Churches of course continued up to the early some parishes have no details follow a different pattern, with nineteenth century. for this period. Latinised names, dates and places being the norm through It was the custom to sprinkle The detail given in baptism to the present date in many the back of the baby’s head not entries often varies from church churches. However, there are the forehead with water, while to church. At Hindley All Saints English entries in some of our the heels were dipped in the for instance mothers are local churches. Tracing Catholic font. After baptism a chrisom, a sometimes mentioned: ancestors can be difficult. white robe, was put on the Persecution usually meant child as a sign of their May 28 Margret d Wm Hilton & Catholics had to be more innocence and which would Elizabeth his wife, born May 17 secretive in practicing their become their shroud if the child (1689) religion and often their died within a month. During registers have not survived the seventeenth and eighteenth It is not until 1721 however prior to the 1700s, meaning centuries the infant would be that this becomes the rule: other sources have to be used carried to church covered in a to confirm family members. mantle known as a bearing- April 23 Ellen d William Mather These sources will be discussed cloth, later becoming known as Hindley fustian weaver and at a later date. a christening robe. It was also Abigail his wife. believed that a pregnant Customs woman who stood as a By the late 1770s some Baptism was administered as godmother would either cause churches had adopted a more soon as possible after the birth. the death of her own child or detailed approach to their In the Middle Ages, this was the godchild. However, meeting baptism entries. From 1779 up seen as essential to salvation. a poor person on the way to to 1812 the registers at All From Elizabethan times the church was thought to Saints Wigan have the children had to be brought to bring long life to the baby. following details: church and baptised within one month of their birth. Next issue: Jan 1 Joseph 3rd son Thos. Parents would be fined if they Marriage Thacker of Wigan founder and did not. The Book of Common

13 My Christmas Past By Edith Coombe

I vividly remember the Christmases of my sweets. We sat all together as a family and exclaimed over childhood as occasions of unalloyed joy everything that emerged from those stockings. We spent Christmas day together at home but then we and delight, as they ought to be for a would go to Nana’s for tea. There my brother and I would child. My parents were hard up, but always get another set of presents from Dad’s side of the family. managed to make Christmas special and We were the only children and grandchildren in that something to be happily anticipated. The family, so I suppose we were a bit spoiled! On Boxing Day wintery season was all part of the we went to Gran’s house. There was always a big gathering of family and friends, and we would receive Christmas celebration, as were the more presents from Mam’s side of the family. Here we had Christmas related activities at the school cousins and often other assorted children (friends of the and chapel. family) to play with. We often had parlour games such as pass the parcel with Gran providing the music on the We always had a lovely party at the Digmoor School at the piano. We had a lovely tea including Gran’s famous cakes end of term, and a carol service one evening just before and trifles, (served on Gran’s best china!) We always had the holiday. We practiced singing carols, and a few of the Christmas crackers and everybody wore the silly hats. In students were chosen to read the passages of scripture. the evening there would always be singing around the Just once I was chosen to read one of the lessons, Luke piano with Gran’s family and all the friends from the Chapter 1, verses 26 – 33. Of course I memorised it; chapel – we all could sing! Everybody joined in and really I didn’t actually need to read it on the night! We had enjoyed it. parties and concerts at the Digmoor Sunday school as well. We would practice our parts in those little plays for It sounds rather sumptuous, and so it seemed to us weeks beforehand. Then another occasion would be the children. But it was very simple then. All those gifts Christmas tree party at the chapel, where the parents paid were wonderful and happily received, but they were all a certain sum of money for a gift to be hung on the tree. small and quite inexpensive. A couple that I can Father Christmas would hand out the gifts. remember were some hand knitted mittens from Aunty Hilda, and one year she gave me a little doll for A cherished memory of my childhood was of travelling on which she had made the clothes herself. It had a a Ribble bus along Ormskirk Road from Tawd Bridge to yellow satin dress and a petticoat with real lace. Wigan, counting all the lighted Christmas trees displayed I thought it was wonderful and I still have it! We also in the front windows of the houses along the way. We used to get Mars selection boxes (chocolates), which always had a Christmas tree at home. It was a little old we loved. But it was nothing like the big ticket items artificial one that someone had given to my parents, and I that children are getting these days! These days I look loved it! It was so old that it even had candleholders fitted through the junk mail catalogues that arrive before on the end of the branches. Although we could have little Christmas and I absolutely cringe at the candles in the holders, we were never allowed to light commercialisation and avarice. I often wonder if the them, to my disappointment. But we did have a set of kids of today really want or appreciate the huge electric fairy lights! We used the same beloved decorations number of very expensive gifts they get, or if they every year. Nobody else had a Christmas tree as lovely as would be satisfied with something a bit more simple. ours. My parents, my brother Harold and I migrated to Dad always went to midnight communion at Upholland Australia in 1958. Our first Christmas in Australia was a church on Christmas Eve, but Mam stayed home and living nightmare for me (I must have been such a pain organised the food and our presents after we had gone to in the neck for my parents). Christmas had always bed. On Christmas morning we woke up with cries of been so important to me, and now in this country “He’s been!” and delighted in opening our presents. We nothing was the same and nothing was right. Firstly, always had a Christmas stocking. This would have been we didn’t follow all the same seasonal traditions at one of Mam’s old winter-weight worn out stockings, school or Sunday school. Secondly, the season itself possibly with holes through which you could spy the bits was wrong. It was summer! And as luck would have it, and pieces inside. There was always an orange or a it was one of the hottest summers on record in tangerine in the toe, and then lots of small toys and Victoria. It was so hot that the birds were falling dead

14 out of the trees, and babies and small children were My aunty Belle and family migrated to Australia a dying in alarming numbers. They put out an appeal on couple of years later so it was great to have more the radio for people to donate fans to their local family close by, and especially at Christmas. hospital to try to keep the sick children cool! We were living in temporary accommodation, a Eventually, we adapted and assimilated into our small one-bedroom bungalow built of fibro-cement new country and settled down very well. But for me, sheeting. It had large windows and no insulation and the spirit of Christmas still dwells in Tawd Bridge, it used to get so hot! Digmoor Chapel, and in the cherished memories of lighted Christmas trees in the front windows all along We didn’t bring our old Christmas tree and fairy lights Ormskirk Road. to Australia. I guess Mam and Dad had other priorities and limited space in the trunks. I wish they had brought it; it would have made a world of difference to me. I wanted a Christmas tree! It was so important; I just wanted some shred of normal Christmas when everything else had been stolen from me! Mam and Dad were very hard up, struggling to make ends meet. They couldn’t afford to go out and buy a new Christmas tree. Our landlord was very kind and helpful. He went out and cut a big branch off the bottom of a pine tree and stuck it in a tub. With a bit of imagination and sense of humour you could have accepted it as a Christmas tree. I couldn’t and wouldn’t! There were lots of tears that Christmas. I don’t think I was a spoiled brat, wanting the world. I was just homesick. I think that the memories of the Christmases of my childhood and the unfavourable comparison with the festive season in Australia were probably the main cause of my homesickness throughout the rest of my life. Our second Christmas in Australia was much better. We moved to Narre Warren, a very small village in the county. We had a Christmas concert and prize giving at our little school, a much more acceptable situation for me! We attended a different Sunday school, where we also had a ‘proper’ Christmas concert. By then we could also afford a Christmas tree with fairy lights. So although it was still the wrong season and way too hot for me, I felt more accepting and almost back to normal.

15 A Medieval Religious Recluse By Bob Blakeman

Alina was one of those built of stone, but usually of would have been at the heart of medieval religious recluses wood and thatch. Sometimes the local community, the parish known as anchorites. She was there was a window in the wall church, with people passing all recorded as living in Wigan in of the church, so that the the time. Anchorites gave 1322. We do not know what anchorite could observe the advice to the sinful and offered motivated her to become a services that took place within. prayers on their behalf. Often religious recluse. It may have The interior of the cell would the problem was not the lack of been a love of Christ or a fear have contained a small altar on human contact, but the need to of purgatory. Or the reason which were set religious objects keep away intrusive visitors. may have been more such as a crucifix and the image mundane, such as the need to of a saint. There would have One of the best ways of avoid a forced marriage or been a few devotional books. acquiring merit, for those who escape a brutal father. Either There may have also been a did not have the strength or way, she would not have been small loom, for some inclination to practise considered an eccentric loner. anchoresses spun yarn and austerities, was to support Anchorites were numerous in wove cloth which they gave to those who did. Every anchorite medieval society, and were poor people. had a patron who provided for part of a religious population his or her worldly needs. that included monks, nuns, Like virtually all people in the friars and priests. Anchorites Middle Ages, Alina would have Alina's patron was Sir Robert de and hermits were ‘solitaries’, believed that the way to heaven Holland, one of the most that is, they did not live with was to reject all worldly powerful men in south others of their kind as monks, comforts and concerns. To this Lancashire, and the founder of nuns, friars and some priests end she would have renounced Upholland Priory. He provided did. Hermits, however, were family and friends, eaten little 30 pence annually for her free to wander, whereas food, and that unpalatable, she sustenance. However, in 1322, anchorites were confined to a would have worn Sir Robert was involved in a small room or ‘cell’. uncomfortable clothes and failed rebellion against King foregone heating in winter. Edward II, and his lands were The life of an anchoress was so Much of her day would have confiscated by the Crown. But difficult that Alina would have been spent in prayer, religious the men in charge of the had to obtain permission from ritual, mortification and reading forfeited property, John Travers the Bishop of Lichfield before devotional works. and John de Lancaster, refused she was enclosed. At a special Alina her allowance, and she ceremony he would have sealed Although she was called a had to appeal to a higher the door of her cell with his recluse, it would be wrong to authority for restitution. Alina signet ring, and she would have imagine that she had no may have wished for material been confined for the rest of contact with other people. She security in order to devote her life. would have had a servant, a herself to the religious life, but young girl, who ran errands, the patronage system meant Anchorites' cells were usually acted as a messenger, brought that she could not avoid being situated in churchyards, and her food and water, and touched by the violent power- were often attached to a removed bodily waste through struggles of her age. church. They were sometimes a hatch in the cell wall. Her cell

16 COLLECTIONS CORNER

around the edge of the tin which contains the names of The Princess Mary gift box the United Kingdom’s allies Belgium, France, Russia, Japan, Serbia and Montenegro. The committee had decided that the box should contain one ounce of pipe tobacco, twenty cigarettes, a pipe, a tinder lighter, a Christmas card and photograph of the Princess. After some discussion the Committee agreed that there should be an alternative selection of presents in the box for non-smokers including a packet of acid tablets, a khaki writing case containing pencil, paper and envelopes. After problems with getting supplies of original items for the boxes, substitute gifts were brought in. These included tobacco pouches, shaving brushes, combs, pencil cases The Princess Mary Gift Box with packets of postcards, knives, scissors, cigarette cases, purses and bullet pencil cases. This set contains one of the This Princess Mary gift box contains a Christmas card, a bullet pencil cases which consists of a silver case bearing photograph of Princess Mary and a bullet shaped pencil. Princess Mary’s monogram and with a pencil inside. The gift box was the idea of Princess Mary who had wished The boxes were held in special regard as though plenty of to send a personal gift to every soldier and sailor who was tobacco and cigarettes were consumed and the pipes fighting for the country during the First World War. Her smoked, a great many men carefully repacked their original intention had been to pay for the gifts out of her presents and sent them home to their wives and families. private allowance. This was impractical so instead she lent her name to a public fund, which raised the money to With thanks to heritage service volunteer Fiona Calladine provide the gift. Buckingham Palace released a letter, for researching the gift box. signed by the Princess, explaining the purpose of the Fund: This item will form part of the ‘Christmas I want you now to help me to send a Christmas Treasures’ talk at the Museum of Wigan Life present from the whole of the nation to every sailor on Saturday 10 December at 11.30am. The bullet afloat and every soldier at the front. I am sure that Please call pencil case we should all be happier to feel that we had helped 01942 828128 to send our little token of love and sympathy on for further Christmas morning, something that would be useful information. and of permanent value, and the making of which may be the means of providing employment in trades adversely affected by the war. Could there be Princess Mary’s anything more likely to hearten them in their photograph was struggle than a present received straight from home one of the gifts on Christmas Day? Please will you help me?

In order to administer the fund, a Committee was established which included the Prime Minister. To begin with, for practical reasons, the committee limited the scheme to 500,000 soldiers and sailers serving under specific commanders. However due to the large amount of money raised, mostly from thousands of small gifts sent by ordinary people, the scheme was extended. Eventually every man 'wearing the King's uniform on Christmas Day 1914' received a gift from the Princess' Fund. The embossed brass gift boxes formed the principal feature of the gift and were designed by Messrs Adshead and Ramsay. The central image on the box of Princess Mary in profile with a laurel leaf border. To the left and right of the image is the monogram ‘M’ for Mary. Above the image is the text ‘IMPERIUM BRITANNICUM ‘ and below the image it The Christmas card says ‘CHRISTMAS 1914’. There is also a decorative border

17 PROBING PICTURES

Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley

This edition we’re putting forward a series of images from Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley for readers to interrogate. These five images are part of a larger collection of images of events and activities.

For many of these images we can take a reasonable guess about what they show, but exactly who and where, we’re not certain at all.

As always, if any readers can shed any light on the contents of these images, or recognise and friend or relative in the photographs, please let us know at the Archives Service. Call 01942 404430 or e-mail [email protected].

18 19 The Fate of Two Soldier Friends by Graham Parkinson Before the First World War Thomas Cunliffe had worked as a miner at Park Lane Colliery. Like many young men at that time he enlisted, together with his friend William Calderbank, as a private in the Grenadier Guards in order to ‘do his bit for King and country’. It was June 1914 when the two friends enlisted and then went on to be trained in the skills of warfare at Caterham. Quite what preparation this was for the horrors of the trenches over in France we will never know but the two nineteen year olds were probably, like all young men of that age, fearless and relatively ignorant of what their possible fate could be. Therefore it was in that state of mind that the two friends set off for France early in the new year of 1915. Private Thomas Cunliffe By all accounts the journey nine months after they had Calderbank”. Well I felt as if to France was uneventful landed in France, William I’d been hit. I went to see but this was soon to was killed. Thomas, who him, poor fellow. He had a change. The Grenadier was obviously very close to decent burial. The Catholic Guards were involved in his comrade wrote to priest was there and read some memorable and William’s relatives in Wigan, over his dead body. He had terrible confrontations with telling them of the sad only just put his head up the enemy and the two news that the had been over the trench and he got young soldiers were often killed. He wrote: hit by a sniper. Accept my fighting side by side whilst deepest sympathy. All his their comrades fell beside Dear Friends, I am sorry to chums hope you will accept them. Notable and well inform you that your son their deepest sympathy. documented engagements got killed on the 7th. Poor such as Hill 70 and the lad he got hit in the head William does not have a Battle of Loos happened and his death was known grave, but his name during their time together, instantaneous. He has been is recorded on the Battle of and they must have in my mind ever since his Loos Memorial. thought that their luck death. A fellow came up The pathetic feature of this would see them soon return the trenches and said, story is that the very next to their home town. “Your mate had gone day after Private Calderbank under”. I could hardly was killed, Thomas was Unfortunately this was not realise who it was at first wounded. A bomb to be and in October 1915, and then he said, “Bill exploded near Thomas

20 blowing off one of his legs Unfortunately the story did flowers there in spring and and damaging the other so not have a happy ending, summer. My assistant badly that it was later and on 23 October 1915 matron takes a great found necessary to have to Thomas died from his interest in it and sees that amputate it. He was moved wounds. The lady it is nicely kept in order. from the front line to a Base superintendent at the Hospital at Wimereux, hospital wrote to Mr and Many young men lost their where his wounds were Mrs Cunliffe telling them of lives in the trenches of tended. He once again their son’s death. She wrote: northern France during picked up his pen but this those dark days of World time to write to his parents Your poor soon got War I but few can have back in Wigan, Joseph and gradually weaker and such poignant stories Mary Cunliffe. He wrote: weaker in spite of all we attached to them as these tried to do for him, till last two young Wigan lads who Hoping this finds you quite night at ten minutes to had looked out for each well as I am still alive but eight he died very easily other for so long but who hardly kicking. It is the first and quietly. He was from the moment they left opportunity I have had of unconscious for hours England were never writing but I hope you have before the end and we are destined to return to their heard from the priests who quite sure he did not suffer beloved home town again. have been to see me. I will at all at the last. He will be tell you how it happened. buried in the cemetery Editor's Note: We attacked and the here in Wimereux. It is a Thomas Cunliffe was the Germans managed to throw pretty place on a hillside author's Great Uncle. a bomb which dropped at and there are many my feet. You may guess Thomas Cunliffe's next of kin memorial plaque what happened. I managed to crawl out somehow, I don’t know how, but anyway I am here with one leg on and half the other off. It’s the right one that is off. My left was a near touch too but they managed to doctor it up. I’m getting on alright and I must not grumble. I expect I shall be in hospital for at least a month. I hope to see dear old England; I have done my bit for my country. Poor old Bill Calderbank, he shook me up. Give my best regards and love to all at home. I hope I shall be able to have my Christmas dinner at home this year all being well. I hope Muriel and Harry and Veronica are good. Give them all a big kiss from me.

21 All Things Bright and Beautiful

BY BILL MELLING

Most archives are based on a geographical area such as a particular town or county. 16, Arlington Street, S.W.1 There is however an unwritten understanding between I am immensely deli archivists that if something in ghted at yr. praise of factory their collections might also be chimneys – I was born at my Grandfathers house of particular interest to called Haigh Hall - & lived there a great deal as a another area, then it is made c available to the appropriate hild. The view of Wigan and its factory chimneys archive. This is how the from there always pleased my eyes. Tall aspiring following letter came into the things, lovely I thought them a Wigan Archives. It came from t all hours of the day - the archivist in a nearby town sunset especially. Later on in Italy the many towers of where it is in the collection of San Gimignano reminded me of my young ideas of papers deposited by a family Wigan & o who owned a number of local ften I have painted chimneys in landscapes. newspapers. The recipient of Clusters of Towers like chimneys in little towns in the letter is not named but places in Italy always please me. I wond whoever they were they had er who the clearly written an article in writer of those paragraphs can be - who disagrees praise of chimneys that had with you ! Artistically their grey smoke & mist - & come in for some criticism. flames are beautiful – Nothing that is useful need be Dated the 28th June 1922 the ugly – certainly high soaring chimneys & little villages letter reads: below them are most picturesque in any landscape and their suggestion of Employment an immense added interest

For always sincerely Violet Rutland

One of the joys of working as a few ‘Googles’ soon volunteer at the Archives is revealed that the author of coming across letters such as this particular letter was this one and then researching Violet Manners the Duchess their authors and the context in of Rutland. which they were written. The advent of the internet has She was born in 1856, the greatly aided this process and a daughter of Charles Hugh The Duchess of Rutland.

22 Lindsay, the third son of the 24th Earl of Crawford,– hence the connection with Haigh Hall. She was born there, and as her father was a professional soldier, probably spent much of her childhood there.

She was educated privately at home and from an early age showed artistic talents. These were encouraged by her family who arranged a lengthy visit to Italy for her. She became a very proficient artist who throughout her life exhibited alongside professional artists at all the major British galleries. The towers of San Gimignano, photograph by Basilio Speziari. She grew up to be a much admired beauty and in 1882 estates and like Violet's own married Henry Manners, heir to family, much of their income the dukedom of Rutland. They came from the coal beneath were an ill matched couple, he their lands. engaged in the usual upper class pursuits of hunting, The scenic effects she so much shooting and fishing whilst admired from the lofty she belonged to a group eminence of Haigh Hall were of aristocrats known as produced by the coal dug by 'The Souls', famous for their the thousands of miners who, avant-garde artistic tastes and as the letter says, were cultural sophistication. After provided with employment by she had provided her husband her grandfather, the Earl of with a daughter and two sons Crawford. The whole tone of they drifted apart and Violet set the letter reflects the mind-set up her own London of the Victorian aristocracy and establishment at 16 Arlington when I first read the letter my Street, SW1. Here she had her mind jumped back over studio, entertained her friends seventy years to morning in the artistic and theatrical assembly at my primary school circles of the day and pursued where we used to sing the heir and a spare, went on to her own independent hymn ‘All Things Bright and pursue her artistic talents in the intellectual interests. Beautiful’ which contains the bohemian circles of her choice. verse now often omitted as not For the last 22 years of her life, She had two further daughters politically correct: having outlived her husband, who, although they were she was the Dowager Duchess rumoured to have been The rich man in his castle, of Rutland. She died in 1937, fathered by men other than her The poor man at his gate, aged 81, leaving an estate husband, were accepted by God made them, high or lowly, valued for probate at £14,752 him, and when he succeeded And ordered their estate over £500,000 today’s money. his father as Duke of Rutland in1906 they were accorded all In the case of Violet, her estate If you would like to learn more the titles due to the children of was very well ordered. She was about Violet and her colourful a Duke. The family seat was at privately educated, made a life colourful life go to Belvoir Castle in Leicestershire good marriage and having http://www.oxforddnb.com/vie where they had extensive done her duty and produced an w/printable/49527

23 Sowing Success: A brief history of Harrison, McGregor By Amy Calderbank

If you were to look into the modernisation and development history of farming one major that allowed the company to player would crop up time and triumph in its field. With this in time again in charting the mind, I thought it would be manufacturing and distribution interesting to write about the of innovative farming machinery. history of such a successful If you have not already guessed, company and the steps that they I am talking about the Leigh took to upkeep their reputation Farmers had traditionally relied on based company, Harrison, and popularity. horses to pull farming implements McGregor and Co Ltd. A but in the 1930s tractors became reputation for high quality and The Harrison, McGregor Company more widely used. Designs had longevity in the performance of was founded by Alexander become standardised and the farming equipment McGregor and Henry Harrison in machines were faster, hence their produced set this company apart 1872 under the name Harrison, popularity. To keep up with from any other throughout its McGregor and Co. They set up advancements in farming trading history. From being business at the Albion Street technology the company launched owned by Harrison and Foundry to produce mowers but a range of power-driven mowers McGregor right through to went on to reach unexpected and binders which were to prove becoming a part of the Case heights. By 1891 the company had successful for the company during Company, the machinery made been incorporated as Harrison, the Second World War when in Leigh was famous in the world McGregor and Co Ltd, and under Harrison, McGregor and Co Ltd of farming and still much used the Albion patent, manufactured was the only company producing worldwide. machines such as barn food agricultural binders in Britain. preparing machinery, plate mills, Wartime production was As an undergraduate History oat crushers and reapers and concentrated exclusively on these Student, I jumped at the chance to binders – a far cry from the original machines and the output of complete a work placement study plan of mowers! It was also at this binders rose to 3,800 per year. at Wigan Archives, and as a part of time that Harrison, McGregor and this study I had the pleasure of Co Ltd began to forge links with Once the war had finished working on the Harrison, overseas traders in Europe, Harrison, McGregor and Co Ltd McGregor collection. The collection Southern Africa and South America wanted to resume with normal includes catalogues, pamphlets as they expanded in foreign production and planned to re- and leaflets (some showcasing markets. However, their success establish their other well known wonderful artwork of machinery) was threatened when machinery machines. To do this money would dating from the 1870s through to exports declined after the First have to be injected into the the 1970s, as well as account World War and depression hit; the business and a new director was books documenting the rise in introduction of concentrated cattle appointed to this end – Oscar capital right from day one. The feed also loomed over trade in Guest. From this point onwards the many testing reports, design barn machinery. To combat this company became known as sketches and photographs Harrison, McGregor and Co Ltd Harrison, McGregor and Guest illustrate the steps that were taken extended the range of farming Limited. They continued to to improve the machinery and equipment to include horse rakes, produce farming machinery under suggest the desire for swath turners and corn drills. the Albion patent until 1955 when

24 it was bought by David Brown Tractors Ltd of Meltham, Huddersfield.

At the time of the take-over the company was well established, owning thirteen and a half acres of land in the centre of Leigh with 426,000 square feet of covered manufacturing space. There were around 514 employees and 27 overseas dealers. Since its formation 83 years earlier the company had earned more than 500 gold, silver and bronze awards at agricultural shows. The purchase of the company by David Brown Tractors Ltd secured further success for the enterprise.

Under new ownership, Harrison, Harrison and McGregor Foundry, circa 1905. McGregor and Guest Ltd took over increase in demand for David in 1967. An adjacent mill, named the manufacture of the David Brown tractors led to an urgent Rose Mill, became available and its Brown range of tillage equipment. need for increased tractor purchase provided 49,875 square New production techniques were production; the Leigh factory feet of extra floor space. An put into place to fit in with more became responsible for this task £11,000 apprentice training school modern methods of production and as a result the factory was was also set-up to ensure that a and manufacturing; castings were fitted with new, more modern highly skilled workforce was replaced with steel fabrication and machine tools. Production at the maintained. wooden guards with new glass factory boomed and it was not fibre. It became evident that such long before workers were able to Under David Brown the company new innovations were popular as produce completely finished parts became the third largest tractor the amount of exports had for assembly meaning that output manufacturer in Britain and the increased by fifteen times in 1957 greatly increased. As the volume of first company to win a Design and as a result the number of production began to grow, older Council Award for a farm tractor employees rose to over 600. buildings were modernised and design in 1976, in recognition of new production shops were built. the Hydra-Shift semi-automatic In 1961 the company entered a However, space for expansion transmission. The company also new phase in its history. The rapid became limited until luck changed won several Queens’ Awards to Industry as well as holding the Royal Warrant. Despite these achievements David Brown Tractors was sold to an American company in 1979. Bought by Tenneco Inc of Houston, Texas, the original Harrison, McGregor and Co Ltd was to become known as Case.

Case, at first, seemed to be doing well and at its peak had 1255 employees. Yet in its last eight years of production this number began to drop and Case was forced to close its doors and cease business in February 1988. The site has since been demolished for new development. A Harrion and McGregor mowing machine on Langly Platt, Atherton, no date.

25 Beginnings of the White Cross Movement in Leigh and District By Tony Ashcroft

Background She also formed the Ladies' 3. To maintain the law of purity as Association for the Care of equally binding upon men and During the mid to late Friendless Girls and was involved women. nineteenth century, campaigns with the National Union of Women 4. To endeavour to spread these for moral and social reform were Workers. She regarded prostitution principles among my distinctive features of public life. as a moral outrage, favoured an companions and to try and help Movements were varied and increase in state legislation for its my younger brothers. encompassed such issues of regulation and canvassed support 5. To use every possible means to temperance, child prostitution, for the Criminal Law Amendment fulfil the commandment 'Keep education and social purity. Act (1885) which raised the age of thyself pure,' The late Victorian social purity sexual consent from thirteen years movement was responsible for to sixteen. 1884, Beginnings of the heralding a new phase of moral White Cross Movement in the regulation, generating Hopkins' interest in the movement Leigh Area substantial levels of support for was influenced by the sexual the ideal of male chastity and double standard of the day. She On 31 March 1884 a conference the elimination of sexual double pleaded with the Church of was held in the National Schools, standards. England to take more interest in Leigh, to find the best means of preventing of the degredation of promoting social purity, and was One branch of the purity women and condemned the extensively reported in the Leigh movement was the White Cross church's indifference to the plight Chronicle. Rev J H Stanning (Vicar Army. The values of the Movement of fallen women, challenging men of Leigh) presided and was joined were characteristically militaristic. to take responsibility for their own by members of the local clergy and Members were addressed as moral conduct. She was aware local dignatories, including Ralph soldiers. In the battle against that the subject of sexual chastity Fletcher, Jnr JP, Mr A Burrows, Dr society’s impurities, the values would have only a limited appeal Jones and F Le Mare. needed to counteract the enemy for men, so she portrayed the were self discipline, duty and White Cross Army as a modern Rev Clayton advocated that a comradeship. The Movement was order of knighthood governed by branch of the White Cross Army be one to which males only were faith, chivalry and military heroism. formed. invited to attend. The brief statement of principles drawn up by Hopkins, Lightfoot The Chairman agreed, adding that: The Movement was inaugurated and Rev Armitage Robinson in England on 14 February 1883 (Lightfoot's chaplain and later “the sin of impurity was quite as by the Bishop of Durham, Dean of Westminster) was as much a national sin and disgrace Dr Lightfoot, where 300 Durham follows: as drunkenness” pit-men gave their pledge to live to a higher moral standard. Also 1. To treat all women with respect, Ralph Fletcher gave a lengthy taking part in proceedings was and endeavour to protect them speech and referred to the work Ellice Hopkins. Dr Lightfoot's action from wrong and degredation. done by Ellice Hopkins. He was influenced by Hopkins’ study 2. To endeavour to put down all intimated that the social purity of the moral conditions of the indecent language and coarse question was of a major concern northern counties of England. jests. to him:

26 “As a magistrate and a Poor law bringing disgrace on the name they pure minded women to be Guardian I have seen and heard so much prized -Englishmen.” abhorred. more, perhaps, than many in this 6. Those attending social room have done. We have here not Rev Karfoot moved the second gatherings or meetings should many actual professional motion which stated that, “the not be hurtful to others. prostitutes, I am thankful to say, efforts of the White Cross Army to but the records of the Leigh Police cope with the evil deplored in the The final address, given by W Court show that we are not previous resolution calls for and Norbury, included the following: without these social pests deserves the support of all who had altogether…We are, moreover, at heart the welfare of their fellow “We admire the hardy warrior, or within such easy distance of men, inasmuch as they tend to the chivalrous knight, but everyone Manchester, that many of our form a higher public opinion on the despises an effeminate man-a young men fall into the snare of matter of social purity.” He carpet knight, a man of tea and this class of women when implored all to join the movement muffins, a molycot who does a frequenting the town at nights.” and, “stand bravely up for the woman's work.... The boy affects honour of women”. masculine sports and disdains the He ended his speech by suggesting doll rags and gew-gaws which are 15 ways in which they could On 18 December a further public so proper for his sisters, who are improve matters if acted upon, meeting was held at Leigh in St designed for domestic duties. including: checking all bad and Peter's Schoolroom, Westleigh. obscene language; training all Ralph Fletcher, in the chair, argued “Look around you at young lads children in the habits of cleanliness the the work of the White Cross and lasses that got married before and decency and that fathers, elder Army must be attempted gradually. maturity. For the most part they are brothers and teachers of young He wanted to persuade men and sickly, puny, poverty stricken, men should urge on them the women how important it was to exhibitions of misery, a girl scarcely necessity of respecting the keep themselves in temperance, out of her teens dragging wearily womanhood of all the women and soberness and chastity. along the way one child hold of her girls with whom they have to slatternly dress, another in her arms associate and explain to them the “It was a shame that respectable and she herself about to become abominable selfishness of tempting people could not walk the streets the mother of a third.” poor girls to ruin and loss of both without having their ears disgraced self respect and character. by the language they frequently heard.... and if they wished to be Bibliography Other speakers agreed and it was respectable and useful members of resolved to form a branch of the society they would keep themselves Morgan, Sue, “'Knights of God': White Cross Army consisting of chaste.” Ellice Hopkins and the White ministers of all denominations Cross Army, 1883-95” , in Gender together with a few laymen. This was followed by a speech from and Christian Religion : Papers read Rev Fogg, suggesting six ways to at the 1996 Summer Meeting and At the inaugural meeting of the live a more pure way of life: 1997 Wintere Meeting of the Leigh Branch in the Assembly Ecclesiastical History Society, R N Rooms in October 1884 the 1. To think and look at every Swanson (ed.), Boydell Press, 1998, chairman gave the first address to woman as if she was his mother pp. 431-445. the crowded meeting made up of or sister. mostly young men. 2. To persuade young men that Morgan, Sue, “'Wild Oats or God's law in this matter was the Acorns?' Social Purity, Sexual Rev Stanning suggested that the wisest counsel. Politics and the Response of the Englishman had a character to 3. Think of the results of impurity late Victorian Church” , in Journal maintain. He then suggested that on individual lives. of Religious History, Volume 31, public opinion be galvanised so that 4. They should attempt to cultivate Number 2, June 2007, pp. 151-168 they could heap disgrace: the idea of purity in their own homes. “on those who were traitors to 5. Mill life. Cracking of coarse jokes theirG ceosusn wtriyt,h a tnhde who were and coarse fun by coarse men at Farington Bell

27 THE DIARY OF A LEIGH TOMMY 1915-1916 Thomas Cooke 1884-1957 By J Taylor and by kind permission of the Cooke family

Ten years ago I was fortunate enough to acquire a 29 November, Tom awakes to copy of Thomas Cooke’s diary from his family, in rain, a thaw and a surprising aeroplane attack. Later in the which he recorded his experiences of the First World day, just behind the trenches, War in France, 1916. Born March 1884 in Leigh, he meets a RG Rice from Thomas Cook was one of three children. He began Surrey Athletics Club and has work as a general clerk at the Co-op Friendly Society an interesting chat about on Leigh road. At age 26 he married Emily Harvey at athletics. On 30 November, St Peters Church, West Leigh. In 1909 Tom was Tom makes his first visit to the trenches carrying rations and elected Honorary Secretary of the newly formed is clearly alarmed at the Leigh Harriers and Athletic Club. Five years later, in conditions as he records ‘we November 1914, he enlisted into the 20th Battalion have to go into this at 3pm of the Manchester Pals Regiment as Private 1052, this afternoon’. He then goes and was promptly sent to Heaton Park, Manchester on to say ‘In the trenches for his basic training. writing this bit in a dug out. Don’t know how the lads have Tom’s diary begins 9 November journey’. The troops were then stuck it they are in a terrible 191 5, He left staff quarters at marched ten miles to the next condition knee deep in mud Heaton Park and was taken by billet camp. ‘Slept from 5am and water, I am in an awful train with the 7th Division to to 8am rotten not the word condition, cannot describe it’. Folkstone to board the SS for it, fed up. Tom remained in the trenches Princess Victoria bound for in heavy rain for 48 hours he Boulogne, France. ‘Arrived at The journey to the front noted ‘an awful experience’ 4pm, a lovely morning but it continues for thirteen days, but happily received his first from village to village, by commenced to rain in the letter since being in France marching and truck, sleeping afternoon. The channel from his sister in Leigh. both in barns and under crossing was terrible, awfully Although Tom has not written canvas despite heavy rain, rough sea, nearly everyone his exact location at this time, snowfalls and mud. On was sick, when arrived spent we can establish that he was in 23 November after another the area of the River Somme. the night under canvas just ten mile march Tom is finally outside Boulogne. Rained in earshot of the guns. Up to 5 December, Tom is subjected continuously but spent a this point the entries in the to a six mile march from the comfortable night under the diary are dominated by the trenches ‘most trying I have circumstances.’ poor conditions namely food, had, because I am caked in rain, cold, mud, excessive clay and wet through, Wednesday 10 November, Tom marches and menial tasks terrible’. He spent the wakes to sunshine and a such as washing carts. In following night under canvas, march around town, before particular an entry regarding ‘awoke to a breakfast of two being packed ‘like a herring lack of sleep ‘16 in tent, no biscuits a little bacon and jam, into a cattle truck, awful boards, keen frost’. rotten! What would they think

28 Thomas Cooke 1909, standing far left, as Hon. Secretary of Leigh Harriers. of that at home after weeks of with the 20th Manchesters The diary continues with few hard work and only three but in the Cycling Corps. Tom entries, but those he writes nights sleep, will try to clean and his pals are permitted to are largely about his boredom, up today, to move tomorrow. spend Christmas Eve in a cold, rain, poor food, hunger 1st letter from Misses, read French cafe, he bought two and joy of receiving food last night’ bottles of champagne and parcels from home. On together with food parcels 18 January 1916 there was a There are few entries up to they had a ‘nice spread for tea ‘divisional cross country race Christmas, more marches and on Christmas Day’. there were nearly 1,000 increasingly difficult cold 31 December Friday New competitors, a splendid conditions. He has a surprise Year's Eve, ‘Had hard days sight’. During the week of visit from Sammy Green of work - Field Operations’. 7 February, Tom is supposed Leigh Harriers, who was also to be resting, however he makes three difficult marches to and from to the trenches, where he is employed digging. Tom’s diary entries become shorter and less detailed.

21 February, ‘Stood to for one hour, Hun attack on left, Lieutenant Braithwaite killed’.

6 March, ‘My Birthday, parcel from wife, Verdun Citadel’

29 March, ‘Burt Shieham had a narrow escape from shell when on W.C. very funny’. Continued on page 30 Lce-Cpl Thomas Cooke Regt No 17052, sitting far right middle row. 20th Battalion Manchester ‘Pals’ Regiment. 7th Division, A Company, 2nd Platoon.

29 30 March, ‘Inspected 14 May, ‘11am sailing for Blighty. It’s a grand day, by Lord Kitchener’ 8pm arrived in Southampton after a splendid voyage. This is two months The last entry was on 1 August Tom wrote ‘Pay from before Lord Kitchener paymaster from Preston Hospital, initial payment drowned when the of £1 then regular weekly payments of 10s 6d’. HMS Hampshire Tom was officially discharged from the army stuck a mine sailing 25 November 1916. to Russia on 5 June 1916. We know from a newspaper report in The Leigh Chronicle dated 9 June 1916 that ‘Tom Cooke has As weather has been transferred from Stockport Hospital and is now improved Thomas an inmate of the Leigh Infirmary, he is doing very well entries become and will soon return to civil life’. The 30 June The Leigh less frequent Chronicle reports that Lance Corporal Tom Cooke was and although Thomas Cooke, pictured right in an interested spectator at Leigh Harriers sports with conditions appear 1939 as Worshipful Master of other Leigh wounded heroes. In 1918 he was Makerfield Masonic Lodge 2115. less harsh, the appointed the Leigh Corporation’s Pensions Officer, fighting has and ended his career as Clerk at the County Court. increased, Tom spends an increasing amount of time in the trenches. He makes several comments about He resumed his Hon. Secretary position with Leigh heavy bombardments of shells, and ‘lucky escapes’ Harrier’s in 1917 until 1922 when he became On the 8 May Tom was injured and wrote, ‘My involved with the Leigh Branch of the British unlucky day, 8th May, just after 4pm I was training Legion committee as Hon. War Pensions Secretary with Chas Sharpe and William Slow, when a shell Officer, he was also Branch Chairman of the came over catching us quite unawares. Up to now I British Limbless Ex-Servicemen Association. He have not heard whether they were killed but from remained in these voluntary roles up to his death what I saw they must have died. My left arm was in 1957 age 73. His funeral service took place at terribly smashed, and after field dressing was moved St Thomas’s Church, Bedford, Leigh followed by to C Hospital where operation was performed and I cremation at Overdale, Bolton. am now a one armed man, but never mind the worst is now over I think, and I thank God for preserving my life’. Chas Sharpe, of Stockport, was clearly a good friend of Tom’s as he had his home address in the back of his dairy, Chas is buried at Fricourt, Somme, France. Tom has written my ‘unlucky day’, not realising that he may ultimately have been fortunate, in only six weeks time he certainly would have been involved in the Battle of the Somme, which was one of the largest battles of the First World War. The 1 July 1916 saw the British Army suffer the worst one-day combat losses in its history, with nearly 60,000 casualties. 10 May, ‘Another small operation early this morning, very painful, they did not give me enough gas. Left C Hospital at 2pm for Le Havre. Very trying journey I am doing very well though’. 12 May, ‘I never thought I could be so uneasy on a nice soft bed after being anywhere for months. I am able to sit up now; I am a little deaf perhaps it’s with the shock. I have also a small wound behind my left ear, but these are only minor aliments’. 13 May, ‘On board Hospital Ship HM Asturius very nicely fitted up it is too, as good as the hospital in every way’.

30 YOUR LETTERS - CAN YOU HELP

Dear Editor Dear Editor Dear Editor

It saddens me to see what is Again, another great read in the We have your magazine every time happening to the Leigh Rugby last edition of Past Forward. it comes out and we find in it League Club. I am 81 years of age many interesting letters. Perhaps it now but I was one of the first In Issue Number 58, August- is because we are getting older. volunteers who built up the banks November 20011, the article surrounding the pitch with loads of entitled, ‘Sunday at 32 Kendal Regarding Mrs Stewart and Mr pit dirt. The pitch was separated by Street’, Les says that he is not sure and Mrs Stanley in Issue Number a wooden fence and lots of people what happened to Ronnie Grice 57, I lived in Number 62 Prescott joined in to make the transfer from who was a Japanese POW. Street and the Stanley family lived the old ground a fast one. about three doors down. They had There is a website which gives no children but made me very The team was fantastic to see on details of the Commonwealth welcome in their house and shop. the field. What the full team was casualties in the First and Second Mrs Stanley taught me to bake on the first match I can’t remember World Wars at and Mr Stanley took me to their but some names were Tommy Sale, http://www.cwgc.org/ shop on Saturdays and I used to Alan Ackers and a front row man serve and learned how to tie the size of a gorilla. He was too big From this I can see there is a death sausages into links. My parents to run but just pushed his way for a Ronald William Grice who kept two pubs in the area, the last forward. We had players any club died in the Second World War. The one in Great George Street. today would be proud of. My entry is as below: favourites were Jimmy Ledgard, Thank you for a great read. Trevor Allan, Ted Kerwick, Alan Ronald William Grice Harris, Joe Egan, Mick Murphy and Nationality U.K. Yours sincerely, I could name lots more. Rank Aircraftman 2nd Class Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve Mrs M Newman (née Linkman), The point I am trying to make is Age 24 Orrell that the club meant something to Date of Death: 30/03/1945 the people of the town so what Service No: 994444 went wrong? We had full houses Additional Information: Son of Dear Editor when we played Wigan, St Helens, James John and Ada Alice Grice, Warrington, Leeds, Lancashire of Wigan, Lancashire. My friend’s late mother had in her County matches and national Casualty Type: Commonwealth possession a letter from Thomas teams. Other clubs have progressed War Dead Grundy, dated 29 April 1917, sent so why not Leigh? Is it the fans not Grave/Memorial Ref. Column 456 from the trenches in France. doing enough or is no one Memorial: SINGAPORE MEMORIAL Grundy was serving in D battery, interested anymore? What a pity to 170th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. let the club die a sad death; still, Best wishes, I have a lot of good memories. It is my friend’s desire to return Jean Jones, this letter to a direct descendant All the best, Ashton-in-Makerfield of Thomas Grundy. Grundy was born 29 December 1894, in Wigan. Jimmy Heaton He enlisted in Wigan in 1915 there and died in Wigan in May 1985, at Dear Editor the age of 90. I would be most grateful to any I am trying to identify this readers of Past Forward who can photograph. If any readers help in fulfilling my friend’s wish. have information about it then please contact me by e-mail Yours sincerely, [email protected].

Many thanks, Don Kennett, British Columbia, Canada Maureen Parkinson [email protected]

31 Frank By Yvonne Eckersley (1912-2003) Ridyard Horrocks An Unremarkable Pioneer?

Frank Horrocks was ostensibly a The stage was set; the association typical working man of his acquired a camera and developed generation insofar as he left the confidence to write newspaper school aged 14 and worked as a articles themselves. Unfortunately paver for Leigh Council all his the outbreak of war necessitated working life, however, archived its suspension. The four young material reveal a much more men were conscripted. Frank complex individual. Horrocks served in the Royal Artillery, Tom Walle (Durkin) was Frank’s story shows that his quiet killed in Italy, Tom Edmondson, diffident exterior masked an inner who later developed into a strength of character which gave valuable communicator of data him the tenacity to pursue his then gathered by Frank, and Wilf obscure hobby out of its obscurity. Cartledge left Leigh. Fascinated by the natural environment he joined other After the war the work of our innovative naturalists across Britain Leigh naturalists was given a boost in developing the appreciation and from the formation by Reg Kenney respect for wildlife we take for formed the Firs Lea Naturalist of the short-lived (1948-1950) granted today. Association, meeting at Frank’s Leigh Field Naturalist and Town home. This group of young men Improvement Society. Frank was a Writing in 1986 Frank approached their hobby in a committee member of the acknowledged the isolation and professional manner from the naturalist section which did much loneliness of his position, ‘to be outset: electing officers; devising to publicise Leigh’s wildlife. unalterably different wasn’t easy’, aims; drafting a precise format and of his hobby ‘nobody wanted to protocols for recording and During the 1950s and 60s, Frank know’ and his search for like reporting back and buying the continued his daily round, visiting minds led him to associate with necessary stationary. They reached local flashes and mosses, amassing ‘rat catchers, bird catchers, out and affiliated with similar enormous amounts of data. It was pigeon-fanciers and shooting bodies including the Lancashire catalogued in a precise and miners’. For years, alone, armed and Cheshire Flora and Fauna accessible form, then disseminated with a small pair of opera glasses Association and the British Empire for publication to other (his first pair of binoculars he got Naturalist Association. Frank also enthusiasts, where it formed a vital from a German during the war in formed close links a number of part of the topography of South exchange for a few cigarettes) a newspaper nature columnists. The Lancashire’s wildlife. second-hand guidebook and his Bolton Evening News’ F A Lowe field diaries, he cycled to the then and Frank’s relationship became In 1960 he helped form the Leigh inhospitable local flashes, railway mutually supporting. Frank Bird Ringing Group, which linked embankments and moss-lands supplied information receiving up with the Merseyside Bird watching and recording the local support and publicity in return. Ringing Group in 1964. Their flora and fauna. Similarly the Daily Dispatch and continual ringing and logging of the Manchester Guardian ran visiting birds added to the Eventually he did meet like minds. regular columns with Frank international understanding of bird In 1939 he and three friends supplying the data. migratory patterns. Frank was the

32 Leigh link, filing monthly reports to the government backed British Trust for Ornithology based at the British Museum, whilst simultaneously monitoring migratory waders for the University of East Anglia. Closer to home his work was published in the Leigh Ringing Reports and the Lancashire Bird Ringing Reports.

National interest in protecting and conserving birds had a direct impact on Frank. After the Protection of Birds Act of 1954, Frank and Tom Edmondson, like Sir Frank Horrocks (front row, second from right) with members of the Leigh Peter Scott founder of the WWT, Ornithological Society renounced the sport of approached in the mid 1950s by He was associated with the LOS wildfowling. They became the RSPB. They were in the process until his death in 2003. vociferously opposed to the of assessing Chat and Bedford arguments in support of shooting Mosses as possible nature reserves. It was during his involvement with birds. Shooting birds was common Their rejection of the Mosses was a LOS that Frank experienced his around Pennington Flash until it great disappointment to him. fifteen minutes of fame. In the came under local council control. 1970s the forerunner of Granada October, November and December, Frank’s fame grew when in the Reports presented a weekly nature was the shooting season at Astley 1950s he discovered breeding feature from various local venues. Moss. Frank’s bird watching permit Reed Warblers in the area. This Bedford Moss was one such venue for the Moss, issued by created quite a stir among the bird and Frank, accompanied by Peter Manchester Collieries, excluded spotting fraternity as previously Eckersley, was filmed. these months. Reed Warblers had only been Unfortunately I have not been able recorded singing in South to ascertain the precise date of its As Frank became recognised as an Lancashire. Then Frank discovered transmission. If anyone has any expert in birds, their breeding a breeding pair in Leigh! Articles information on the programme, or patterns and habitats, he was were written, F W Boyd of the indeed has a copy of it, please get British Birds magazine, in touch with Alex Miller at the among others, sent Wigan Archives Service at Leigh congratulatory letters Town Hall. and the event was broadcast on BBC Testimonials to Frank’s influence radio. can be found in the bundles of letters, newspaper cuttings, Frank wrote in Early writings, photographs and Days that by 1966 he specialist magazines archived at was joined at Leigh. A rather more public Pennington Flash by a memorial is the Frank Horrocks group of enthusiastic Hide at Pennington Flash. This hide young men who went overlooks the spit where the on to form the railway to Wigan used to run and influential Leigh was one of Frank’s favourite Ornithological Society places. in 1971. The LOS, with Frank as a committee Information from the Frank member, was Horrocks Archive D/DX/162 at instrumental in the Wigan Archive Services at Leigh development of Town Hall. Pennington Flash, first as a nature reserve later as a country park.

The Frank Horrocks Hide at Pennington Flash.

33 Goodbye the Palace By Ted Dakin Do you remember the For many years, the Palace was a ‘silver’ screen. How many times Palace Cinema at the place of wonderment, a place to had I (and thousands more) sat be entertained, right through from entranced in front of that magical bottom of King Street? boyhood to manhood. Once again, screen? Where stars and stories as in other areas of everyday living, came to life, to create an exciting, As a young lad, the Palace to me, technology was instrumental in entirely different world to the one was like a second (affordable) the decline of make-belief and we knew; a world of cowboys and home, and the most preferable of simple, innocent pastimes. Slow Indians, gangsters and slapstick all the Wigan picture houses. Aye, strangulation by television had comedy, The Lone Ranger and the Palace always seemed to show begun. The communal get- Tonto and, of course that the most western films, and boy, togethers came to a sad end and magnificent white horse Silver. A did I like westerns. What snotty- like many more the Palace cinema Fiery Horse with The Speed Light nosed Wigan lad did not? closed its doors forever. and a hearty ‘Hi ho, Silver and away’ fantastic! As time passed, During the 1930s, 40s and 50s, In the severe winter of 1962, I was we went onwards and upwards, to the Palace was littered with spent in the employ of The Makerfield better films and better actors. bullets and empty cartridges, Water Board as a wastewater What memories! which had to be swept up after inspector. One freezing cold every picture. Two of my favourite morning at approximately 2am, However, there was still work to be cowboy actors were Buck Jones I was called out to a suspect burst done, and making my way to the and William ‘Hopalong Cassidy’ at the bottom of King Street, toilets, I discovered a frost-severed Boyd who appeared there so many which proved to be somewhere pipe and decided to shut down times it was rumoured that they, inside the now defunct and the outside master stop cock, and and a few pesky Indians, stabled decaying Palace cinema. Armed as a reward for my services, I their horses at the rear and with a torch, hammer and chisel found a small hammer (a fitting booked themselves in at the (used for the emergency flattening memento of my visit) left behind nearby Shakespeare Hotel. Ken of burst lead pipes) I climbed over by a forgetful caretaker or Maynard was another favourite, he the iron gate, and splashed down handyman. So with one final look rode a horse called ‘Tarzan, The onto the sloping walkway that led around, I took my leave and left Wonder Horse’ and who, to the pit and the stalls. Once behind those cinematic ghosts of according to some, was a better inside the auditorium, the beam yesteryear, who once came to life from my flashlight traversed the and entertained us all in a place actor than Maynard. now dust-caked and rotting seats never to be forgotten. Goodbye and, unbelievably, highlighted the the Palace. Because of its popularity, you still intact, but now yellowing could always expect long queues for the Palace. If I remember right, if you were heading for the cheap seats, the pit and the stalls, you queued back to the Hippodrome. If it was the more salubrious circle seats ‘the gods’, you queued back to Chapel Lane. I remember one particular Saturday night when me and a couple of mates were queuing (as usual) for the cheapest seats. Tough-like we decided to have a much-needed cigarette. I took my first drag, inhaled deep, turned and almost blew smoke in my dad’s stern-set face. I did a quick about turn, dropped the cigarette and thought ‘That’s it. I’ll get the kilt when I get home’. I did not enjoy that picture one bit, but I needn’t have bothered, good old Dad never said a word. Palace Cinema, King Street, Wigan, King Street, circa 1930.

34 SOCIETY NEWS

Aspull and Haigh 18 December 2011 Wigan Civic Trust Historical Society Where Does Time Go? Peter Watson If you have an interest in the Aspull and Haigh Historical Society standard of planning and Meetings are held on the second 17 January 2012 architecture, and the conservation of Thursday of the month at Our Lady’s AGM followed by Look at Leigh’s buildings and structures in our RC Church Hall, Haigh Road, Aspull Locals: Leigh Cemetery historic town, come along and meet at 7.30pm. All are welcome, contact Hannah Turner us. Meetings are held on the second Barbara Rhodes for further details Monday of the month at 7.30pm. on 01942 222769. 21 February 2012 The venue is Drumcroon, 2 Parsons The Edward Hall Diary Collection Walk, Wigan. Contact Mr A Atherton Alex Miller Grimshaw on 01942 245777 for Heritage Society further information. 20 March 2012 The Country Asylum – Rainhill Wigan Family Meetings held on the second Laura Rafferty History Society Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm in St Richard’s Community Centre, A weekly Help Desk is run by Mayfield Street, Atherton. Members Meetings are held at the Bowling members of the Society each £1.00, non members £2.00. Contact Green, 108 Wigan Lane, Wigan on Monday from 1.30pm to 3.30pm Margaret Hodge for further the third Monday of each month in the Local History Section of information on 01942 884893 (7.30 for 8.00pm). No meetings are Leigh Library. held in July and August. Please note For more information contact Mrs M 10 January 2012 we do have a small charge for each Harrop (Chairman) 01942 743428, The History of Leyland Motors meeting of £2.00 for both members Mrs G McClellan (Secretary) 01942 Malcolm Tranter and visitors. For further information 729559 or email: call (01942) 727875 or visit [email protected] 14 February 2012 www.wiganworld.co.uk/familyhistory A V Roe. The History of Aviation in Local History Wigan Archaeological Manchester Federation Lancashire David George Society The Federation holds several 13 March 2012 We meet on the first Wednesday of meetings each year, with a the month, at 7.30pm, at the Upper The History of Postcards varied and interesting programme. Mr D Palmer Morris Street Working Men's Club in For details visit Wigan, for lectures and discussions Billinge History Society www.lancashirehistory.org or call on topics of historical or 01204-707885. archaeological interest. Admission is Billinge History Society Skelmersdale & Upholland £2 for members and £3 for guests. Meetings are held on the first Family History Society For more information call Bill Tuesday of the month at Billinge Aldridge on 01257 402342. You can Chapel End Labour Club at 7.30pm. also visit the website Meetings held at 7.30pm on the For further details visit www.wiganarchsoc.co.uk www.billinge-history.com fourth Tuesday each month at Hall Green Community Centre, Leigh & District Family UpHolland. There are no meetings in History Society July or August. For more information contact Sue Hesketh (Secretary) 01942 212940 or Monthly meetings held in the Derby [email protected] or Room, Leigh Library at 7.30pm on visit www.liverpool- the third Tuesday of each month, genealogy.org.uk/SkemGrp/Skem except June and July.

35 How to Find Us

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E ST D Museum of Wigan Life N M 9 R E A THE 4 A T P H R A C A C GALLERIES R H E K G O R N M FROG LA A E H P O L T BUS T S O L I N D S P G STA. S D T Library Street, O T GRAND A N R T S A E T ARCADE P C N Y H S O I A N SAT O L G ONLY W S Wigan WN1 1NU L E T A L E O RE M H T R C S L I P S K I L E B L I V N R G I G W Telephone 01942 828128 A A R S R T TE T Y E GA A WALLGATE R W S P LL . R GR STA. S T I E K M I A N T IN [email protected] GE G G O S T RG T O E N NORTH S T L WESTERN STA. 9 A 4

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U A C SHOP WIGAN LIFE A E L E DA R R O N L LINGT A L E O 5 I S P N ST N T P 7 E A 3 H ST C P

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S HE NRIET E TA ST G SUPER Leigh Local History WALME A T S S LE R MARKET Y RD A T E C S T I P S V O K T C LELEIGHIGH H L S U H D R I T CH S L S S N Leigh Library, Turnpike Centre, LIBRLIBRAARYRY T ST O M S ARYS O WY B T E N S L R R T N E S A T P V CIVIC O Civic Square, Leigh WN7 1EB L S I H A SQUARE N C G T BO P E U RA EN ND S P I P D K T LW B OR AY LF R Telephone 01942 404559 R SA A D . K B M LO RD S T T S

N S TR AARCHIVESRCH IVES [email protected] O IN G S ER S LELEIGHIGH N T P I B RADS K TOTOWNWN HALL HAW Y T GA L O TE S U I D T S E T S T W R S E K BO M UG O G S HE E Y N G S O BUS L AS S T I L T Archives C K STATION E

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Leigh Town Hall, Leigh WN7 1DY SPINN ING JENNY WAY T

D S R Y S R Telephone 01942 404430 N O SUPER E G E L MARKET R E G SUPER H MARKET T [email protected] S

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H STATION A FROG LANE L L P G M T A A E D T R E E O K R R T E S N T I N S T G R E S E T T T T O SC RE P

CLAYTO E N S WALLGATE T TR S A Trencherfield Mill Engine E STATION G E L T L A W

M P Wigan Pier Quarter, Heritage Way, NORTH IR Y L WESTERN AN STATION E S Wigan WN3 4EF Q E U G A T E L L E P W A N C S A T R R Telephone 01942 828128 WAL TRTRENCHERFIELDENC HERFIELD O E LGATE L ET IN MIMILLLL EENGINENGINE E

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