Trencherfield Mill Archives Service // Arts & Heritage Events & Exhibitions Guide Top Floor, , Civic Square, Steam Engine // Leigh, WN7 2DY Wigan Pier Quarter, Heritage Way, // July - December 2011 Wigan, WN3 4EF Opening times: Opening Times: Monday Closed Sunday 11:00am & 1:00pm Tuesday 10:00am - 4:30pm

Wednesday 10:00am - 4:30pm ARCHIVES Open throughout the week Thursday 10:00am - 4:30pm by arrangement. Friday Closed

Contact: 01942 828128 Saturday & Thursday evening, access to studies within Leigh Library. Access: Parking, lift, hearing loop, courtesy wheelchairs. Contact: 01942 404430 DISPLAYS EXHIBITIONS Museum of Wigan Life // Turnpike Gallery // (Formerly The History Shop) Civic Square, Leigh, WN7 1EB Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU Opening times: FUN FAMILY Opening times: Monday 10:00am - 6:00pm Monday 10:00am - 5:00pm Tuesday 10:00am - 6:00pm THEATRE COMPANY Tuesday 10:00am - 5:00pm Wednesday 10:00am - 6:00pm Wednesday Closed Thursday 10:00am - 6:00pm

Thursday 10:00am - 8:00pm Friday 10:00am - 6:00pm ENGINE Friday 10:00am - 5:00pm Saturday 9:30am - 3:30pm TALKS & WALKS

Saturday 11:00am - 3:00pm LOCAL & FAMILY HISTORY Sunday Closed Closed Sundays, Bank Holidays and during exhibition installations. Contact: 01942 828128 Contact: 01942 404469 Fully Accessible. HISTORIES DISCOVER Fully Accessible. COMMUNITY Wigan & Leigh Local Studies // Leigh Library, Turnpike Centre, PAST FORWARD Multi Award Civic Square, Leigh, WN7 1EB Winning DRAMA Museum Opening times: Monday 9:00am - 5:00pm (alternate) COURSES Tuesday 10:00am - 5:00pm In this Guide... Wednesday 9:00am - 5:00pm you will also find Thursday 9:00am - 7:00pm your comprehensive Friday 9:00am - 3:00pm guide to all Arts Events across various Saturday 9:30am - 4:00pm (1st & 3rd) locations on Page 18. Contact: 01942 404559

Access: Ramp, automatic doors, ground floor, accessible toilet, lift, translation service. If you are not sure where to get started, our Local Studies Officer is on hand to help and Leigh Family History Society are also available between 1:30pm - 3:30pm every Monday.

www.wlct.org/heritage www.wlct.org/heritage 03 Events & Exhibitions Guide

Trencherfield Mill Engine // Museum of Wigan Life // Wigan & Leigh Local Studies // Wigan Archives Service // Turnpike Gallery //

Contents Welcome to our July - December 2011 events, activities and exhibitions 04 // Special Events programme… a year of discovery and 06 // Events for Children & Families enjoyment for every age and interest. 10 // Exhibitions 11 // Regular Events What do you want to do? Would you like to create your 18 // Arts Events own displays, research your family tree, visit an art gallery, chat about past times, read our Past Forward magazine, 20 // Venues join a dance club, become a volunteer, listen to an expert, watch a drama or dance performance, entertain the Event Key children with arts and crafts, hear stories, stretch your legs on one of our walks or see an original LS Lowry painting? Charge Applies Inclusive Activity Discover all that Arts & Heritage has to offer... Booking Advisable Free of Charge We advise to book in advance For all Arts & Heritage Exhibitions to avoid disappointment. and Event enquiries please contact: 01942 828128 Family Friendly Activity www.wlct.org/heritage Teachers... access our full Heritage Learning programme for schools at www.wlct.org/ heritagelearning Follow me for a fun-filled family adventure! www.wlct.org/hal

Did you know... Wigan Pier Theatre Company ran over 240 events last All copy correct at time of print year with several thousand local people joining in drama Large print version activities or enjoying them as audience members! available on request

Arts & Heritage Events & Exhibitions Guide // July - December 2011 Special Events 05 Thursday 8th - Sunday 11th September We will be celebrating Heritage Open Days in Wigan and Leigh this year, following the previous successes of Leigh for All and The Roman March. Look out for banners and leaflets in your local area advertising events and activities marking Heritage Open Days. Information will also be available Special Events in the local press and on our website wlct.org/heritage. Family History For Beginners This is just a taster of the Special Events we will Leigh Local Studies, Turnpike Centre, Leigh Friday 30th September, 10:00am - 11:30am be running in 2011 so check our website and the Friday 25th November, 10:00am - 11:30am local press for more events throughout the year. Start your family tree with one of these introductory courses. £3. Our Special Events are suitable for all ages. Family Treasures Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Museum of Wigan Life Monday 10th October, 10:30am - 12:00pm Do you have treasured family documents, photographs or artefacts? , Canal & Cream Cake Do you want to know how to preserve and care for them? Trencherfield Mill, Wigan Pier Join the Heritage Service Archivist and Collections Officer to find out how. Wednesday 6th July, 2:00pm - 4:00pm £3. Wednesday 3rd August, 2:00pm - 4:00pm Wednesday 27th July, 2:00pm - 4:00pm Turnpike at 40 See the mighty engine in steam then relax and enjoy the scenery on our The Turnpike: a look at the role of Libraries canal boat cruise, finishing off the afternoon with a delicious cream tea. Heritage and the Arts in Leigh £6 per person or £10 per couple. Derby Room, Turnpike Centre, Leigh Monday 31st October, 2:00pm The Big Plant Discover Leigh’s cultural past through Mesnes Park, Wigan local history and archive collections. Tuesday 26th July, 11:00am - 3:00pm Plant and play at Mesnes Park while you discover the history of Wigan’s Behind the Scenes at the Archives famous Victorian park. You can stay all day, so why not bring a picnic! Wigan Archives Service, Leigh Suitable for children aged 4-11years. Friday 11th November, 11:00am - 12:30pm Friday 9th December, 2:30pm - 4:00pm Pride, Place & Identity: Dancers V Poets Introduction to the work of the Archives Museum of Wigan Life Service, preserving records, photographs, Saturday 6th August, 12:00pm - 2:00pm maps and much more of the borough’s heritage. A community performance of poetry and dance inspired by Includes a chance to handle original records Wigan’s rich history of dance, music and fashion. and a behind the scenes tour of the Archive For more information or to take part in the project email stores. Can accommodate groups. Louise - The Talent Factory at [email protected] £2.

Heritage Open Days

Did you know... End to end, there are over 17 miles of records in the Archives; that’s 3 times the height of Everest and more than distance between Leigh and .

Arts & Heritage Events & Exhibitions Guide // July - December 2011 Events for Children & Families 07 Junk Modelling Museum of Wigan Life 2nd // 9th // 16th // 23rd August, 1:00pm - 2:30pm Can you build a bridge from kitchen rolls? Can you create a piece of art from sweet wrappers? Thinking about our environment and the Events for Children & Families importance of recycling, join us at the Museum to complete a different junk model challenge each week. Suitable for children aged 4-11 years.

We are family friendly, and our events for Astley Explorers Astley Green Colliery Museum, Children & Families are suitable for a wide age- Higher Green Lane, Astley Green, Tyldesley, range (please check recommended ages against 4th // 11th // 18th // 25th August, 10:00am - 2:00pm individual events). Stalk the wildlife in the ‘jungle’ at Astley Green Colliery, what will you find! Follow the trail, look for clues and solve the colliery riddle. Take part in a craft activity and make something to take . Suitable for The Museum is accessible for buggies and baby changing children aged 4-11 years. Bring a picnic. facilities are available on the ground floor. Please do not £5 per child, £3 per adult. hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Seeds of Change, until 30th August Super Saturdays! Discover how the Borough’s environment has changed over time. Make Museum of Wigan Life a fossil rubbing, play our eco-explorer game and learn about recycling. Monthly, 11:00am - 2:30pm A fun, interactive exhibition for all the family. Discover all the fun of the Museum! Join us for a Saturday out at the Museum Look out for the Seeds of Change symbol through this leaflet to find related where you will find art and craft activities, quizzes, trails, objects to see and events and activities. Why not join in our Junk Modelling or Big Plant? touch and always something special thrown in. Free. Drop-in (some activities may be bookable on the day). Suitable for all ages.

July 23rd: Medieval Mania October 29th: Spooky Saturday November 12th: Wigan at War December 17th: Super Christmas!

We Love to Boogie! Museum of Wigan Life Wednesdays, 11:00am - 12:00pm, 6th // 13th // 20th July Under 5s Dance Class - Mums, dads and carers of all ages - bop along to your favourite tunes and help the little ones have fun in this friendly dance session. £2 per child.

The Big Plant Mesnes Park, Wigan Tuesday 26th July, 11:00am - 3:00pm Plant and play at Mesnes Park while you discover the history of Wigan’s famous Victorian park. You can stay all day, so why not bring a picnic! Did you know... Suitable for children aged 4-11years. According to the Leigh journal, Charlie Chaplin visited Golborne to learn clog dancing!

Arts & Heritage Events & Exhibitions Guide // July - December 2011 09 Design Your Own T-Shirt The Wigan Archives, Leigh Town Hall 5th // 12th // 19th // 26th August, 10:30am - 12:00pm Are you a budding fashion designer? Get some inspiration at Leigh Town Hall then design and print your own t-shirt to take home and wear all summer! Suitable for children aged 4-11 years. Come and join in! £2.50 per child. Acting August Bank Holiday Family Fun Day Drama games The Museum of Wigan Life Imagination Monday 29th August 11:00am - 3:00pm Scripts Please contact us for more information. Improvisation Voice Uncover your Tree Movement Leigh Local Studies, Turnpike Centre, Leigh Storytelling Monday 24th October, 1:00pm - 2:30pm Uncover your family tree. Suitable for children aged 8 upwards. Regular term-time drama workshops with professional actors at the following venues: What A Picture! Museum of Wigan Life Tuesdays 25th // 27th October, 1:00pm - 2:30pm Hawkley Hall High School, Carr Lane, Wigan WN3 5NY Say cheese… Dress up and have your photograph taken just like Ages 8 to 11 6:30pm - 7:30pm a Victorian. Then make a mount for your photograph so you can Ages 12 to 15 7:30pm - 9:00pm hang it on the wall at home. Suitable for children aged 4-11 years. £2.50 per child. Wednesdays Standish Community High School, Kenyon Road, Standish WN6 0NX Regular Activities Ages 12 to 15 7:30pm - 9:00pm Fridays Homework Help Hindley Sports Centre, Borsdane Avenue, Hindley WN2 4LG Museum of Wigan Life Ages 8 to 11 4:30pm - 5:30pm Thursday evenings, Saturdays & school holidays (check opening times) Ages 12 to 15 5:30pm - 7:00pm We recommend phoning ahead so that we can prepare the resources for your Homework Help visit. Saturdays Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan WN1 1NU For age groups and times, please check with Martin. For a registration form or further information, please contact: Martin Green, Development Officer Telephone: 01942 828226 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.wlct.org/wptc

Did you know... The proud residents of Higher Folds designed and made their own mosaic shield to welcome residents and visitors to their community!

Arts & Heritage Events & Exhibitions Guide // July - December 2011 Exhibitions 11

Outreach Exhibitions

Wigan Heritage Service wants to work with you! Do you have an idea for an exhibition or display where you live? Do you have an event or venue Exhibitions at the Museum of Wigan Life where it could take place? Get in touch for details of current outreach exhibitions across the borough.

Permanent Exhibition Museum Tours

‘Our Borough’ Museum of Wigan Life Museum of Wigan Life We are delighted to offer a range of different tours to ensure Come and discover ‘Our Wigan’, the permanent exhibition at the Museum of you get the most out of your visit to us… Wigan Life. Find out about the Borough’s heritage including food, sport, customs, the war and the achievements of people from the Borough. Come along and tell Museum Highlights Tour us what your Wigan is! Thursday 8 September 11:30am // Saturday 19th November 11:30am // Thursday 15th December 6:30pm Temporary Exhibitions Find out more about your museum and the precious objects on display. All tours last half an hour. Museum of Wigan Life Highlights Tour for People with Visual Impairments Seeds of Change, until 30th August Date and time TBC Discover how the Borough’s environment has changed over time. Make A themed, accessible Museum tour which includes object handling. a fossil rubbing, play our eco-explorer game and learn about recycling. Call 01942 827594 for more information. A fun, interactive exhibition for all the family. Look out for the Seeds of Change symbol through this leaflet to find related BSL Tours events and activities. Why not join in our Junk Modelling or Big Plant? Tours in British Sign Language can be arranged on request. Call 01942 827594 for more information. What a Picture! 16 September 2011 - January 2012 Why use 100 words when one picture will do? Come and see the borough in pictures. In association with the Wigan Photographic Society and YOU!

Look out for the Camera symbol through this leaflet to find related events Did you know... and activities. Drop-in to one of Wigan Photographic Society’s Camera Clinics The Museum collection contains instruments called ‘serpents’. When played they are said to sound like or come along to our Shooting the Past walk. the ‘mooing of an Essex Calf’!

Presenting… Museum of Wigan Life. There will be changing displays throughout the year in the Local Studies area. This will include the ‘Something New’ display showcasing objects recently donated to the museum.

Arts & Heritage Events & Exhibitions Guide // July - December 2011 Regular Events 13 History Chat

Chat and make friends… Our drop-in History Chat sessions give people the opportunity to informally get together and talk about past times in Regular Heritage Events a friendly environment. Wigan History Chat Museum of Wigan Life Our Regular Events are suitable for Thursdays, 6:30pm - 7:30pm all ages. Please do not hesitate to Leigh History Chat Wigan & Leigh Local Studies contact us if you have any questions. Leigh Library / The Archives, Leigh Town Hall Last Wednesday of the month, 1:00pm - 3:00pm Wigan’s Mighty Steam Engine July 27th: The Archives. Medieval Mania. Trencherfield Mill Steam Engine, Wigan Pier Quarter August: NO MEETING. Weekdays by arrangement & Sundays, 11:00am & 1:00pm September: See press/website as we’ll be out and about See one of the finest working examples of its kind in for Heritage Open Days. action, meet the engineers and find out more through October 26th: The Archives. Photography. an audio-visual presentation. November 2nd: Leigh Local Studies. The Turnpike at 40. A look back at 40 years of the Turnpike Centre. Family History Workshops December 21st: The Archives. Festive Chat. Who do you think you are? Museum of Wigan Life Palaeography Practice: Medieval to Modern Handwriting for the experts Run by experienced volunteers, Family History Workshops help you to get Museum of Wigan Life started on researching your family tree. Sessions are aimed at beginners First Monday of the month, 2:00am - 4:30pm with family connections to the local area. Informal drop-in sessions for those with a basic understanding of palaeography styles over the ages, transcribing original documents Daily, 10:00am - 3:30pm from the archives in a group; perfect for anyone who has done the Daily drop-in sessions. Subject to volunteer availability. Introductory Course, or just fancies a bit of practice reading old documents. No need to book. £3. Wednesdays, 1:30pm & 3:00pm £3 (resource pack £2). Booking recommended. Saturday and Thursday evenings by arrangement

Leigh Family History Society Helpdesk Wigan & Leigh Local Studies, Leigh Library Mondays, 1:30pm - 3:30pm Leigh Family History Society are available to assist with any enquiries and requests concerning your ancestry. This includes how to go about tracing your family line back through the ages. No need to book.

Did you know... Queen Victoria once travelled through Tyldesley at 3 o’clock in the morning!

Arts & Heritage Events & Exhibitions Guide // July - December 2011 15 Object Focus 27th October Wigan Photographic Society Museum of Wigan Life ‘Digital Photo Restoration’. Find out about the history of the Society and the Discover the stories behind some of our favourite Museum objects. wide range of photographic techniques that have been used in the past and Talks last for 20 minutes, no need to book. today. The Society will answer questions and advise you about the restoration of your old family photographs. Tuesday 19th July, 2:30pm Roman Samian Ware 24th November Samian Ware was the ‘best china’ of the Romans. During the Festival Local author Gordon Medlicott of British Archaeology find out more about this fascinating pottery. ‘The Last Lighthouse Keeper’ - The story of a way of life that has become part of our maritime heritage. A rare insight into the 32-year working life Tuesday 6th September, 2:30pm of a lighthouse keeper. Something New Find out about objects recently donated to the museum by local people. 15th December Clog dancing specialist Alex Fisher Saturday 10th December, 11:30am An illustrated talk on the history of clog dance. Christmas Treasures Audiences are invited to bring along any items of interest. Get into the Christmas spirit and discover museum objects with a Christmas theme. Wigan Photographic Society Clinics

Museum of Wigan Life An Evening With… Saturdays on the dates below, 11:00am - 1:00pm Drop-in. Museum of Wigan Life Last Thursday of the Month, 6:30pm - 7:45pm September 17th: Meet Wigan Photographic Society £2.50. Price includes light refreshments. September 24th: Camera Clinic 28th July October 8th: Macro Photography Gerry Mawdsley, President of the George Formby Society October 15th: Photoshop - Basic Editing ‘The George Formby Story’ - A multimedia show telling the story of Wigan’s October 22nd: Make your own photographic calendar most famous son…watch and listen as this remarkable story unfolds. October 29th: Bird photography Back by popular demand! November 12th: Using your flash 25th August November 19th: Choosing the right camera (for Christmas) John Winnard, Joint Managing Director, William Santus & Co November 26th: Taking better pictures of your family Uncle Joe’s Mint Balls and Wigan go hand-in-hand. John will ‘keep us all December 10th: Printing your own images aglow’ with the story of Wigan’s famous and much loved sweets which starts December 17th: Audio Visual presentations in the 1930s and is still glowing strong today! January 14th: Understanding the camera you got for Christmas 29th September January 21st: Photographic opportunities around Wigan John Wogan - Local family history enthusiast January 28th: Improving your images ‘Starting from Scratch - Your Family History’. John will show you how to start your family tree, the do’s and don’ts of tracing your long lost relatives and will share some amusing stories about some of the more unusual cases he has uncovered in his family history quests.

Arts & Heritage Events & Exhibitions Guide // July - December 2011 17 Walks & Tours Shooting the Past Discover your local area on foot with one of our local historians and delve into 26 October, 1:00pm - 2.30pm buildings, landscapes, people and stories that the towns in our borough were Bring your camera and help us capture tomorrow’s history founded on. We strongly recommend you book and leave your contact details today during this local history walk! with us so we can get in touch if anything changes (like the great British weather!). Atherton Cemetery Walk 5 November, 12:00pm Carved In Stone Walks Meet at the entrance.

Lower Ince Cemetery Second Tuesday of the month, 11:00am - 12:00pm 12th July // 9th August // 13th September // 11th October // 8th November The Wonderful World Of The Archives: Outreach Talks By arrangement Ince UDC Cemetery, Warrington Road Archive staff are available to visit your local group or society, bringing Second Friday of the month, 11:00am - 12:00pm along a sample of original records from the collection and explaining 8th July // 12th August // 9th September // 14th October // 11th November the work of the Archives Service. Contact the Archives Service for more details or to make a booking. Combined Cemetery Walk Tuesdays, 6:00pm - 7:30pm, June - August 2011 Volunteering at Wigan Heritage Services 14th June // 12th July // 9th August Pass on your expertise, share your enthusiasm or work alongside our friendly and professional team. We welcome your support! Meet at Ince UDC cemetery gates, Warrington Road. Outdoor wear advisable. For any enquiries about volunteering please contact 01942 828128. £3. Tel: 01942 828128.

Wigan History Walk

First Sunday of the month, 1:00pm - 2:30pm 3rd July // 7th August // 4th September // 2nd October // 6th November Meet outside the Museum of Wigan Life on Library Street. Outdoor wear advisable. £2. Tel: 01942 828128.

Leigh History & Fun Walks

All sessions £1.00 Book Wigan & Leigh Local Studies. Tel: 01942 404559.

Canal Walk 2nd July, 12:00pm Walk along the canal and see how Leigh has changed throughout the centuries. Meet outside the Waterside Inn.

Tyldesley Cemetery Walk Did you know... 1st October, 12.00pm The oldest document in the Archives is a treatise on Latin pronunciation Meet at the entrance. written by Hubert the Monk in 1185. It will be 827 years old in 2012!

Arts & Heritage Events & Exhibitions Guide // July - December 2011 Arts Events 19 Special Arts Events

DIS:PATCHES Thursday 1 December, 6:00pm - 9:00pm Arts Events Fred Longworth High School, Tyldesley A celebration of disability art projects from across Wigan Borough

PUT A PLUG IN IT... Tuesday 1st November, 6:00pm Arts & Heritage have joined forces so watch this Fred Longworth High School, Tyldesley space for fun and excitement. Our Arts Events are An intergenerational dance and multi - media performance. Local groups will explore the role of technology and communication in our lives using suitable for all ages. Please do not hesitate to dance and film. contact us if you have any questions. For further information about PUT A PLUG IN IT and how to get involved Events at the Turnpike Gallery with the project please visit the project website www.putapluginit.webs.com STRIDE Stride is the educational project that Company Chameleon has developed Exhibitions in partnership with Dance Initiative and Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust to encourage, nurture and train young men in dance, to develop Art Factory: Fun Fair confidence, skills, and trust. 18 July - 27 August Our annual Art Factory always aims to be family-friendly and interactive. Young men from across Wigan Borough will perform alongside professional Fun Fair draws on the traditions of the travelling fair, the circus and the village dance artists Anthony Missen and Kevin Turner - ‘Company Chameleon’ fête. Elements from each of these events will be combined to create a unique www.companychameleon.com, at the iconic Victoria Bath’s, Manchester. and innovative exhibition that brings together historic and popular culture. Complementing an archive display and ‘museum of curiosities’, will be Friday 29 July specially commissioned stalls and drop-in activities. For further information about the performance please contact: Vicky Fletcher, Arts Development Officer, Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust. Tel: 01942 828219 The World We Live In 10 September - 5 November Multi - Cultural Summer Dance Workshops This display of post-war and contemporary paintings, sculptures, photography Family based dance workshops at venues across the borough. and video features some of the best known names in British art. Many of the artists in the exhibition have been shown at the gallery before, such as L.S. Dance Scene... Coming Soon.... Lowry, and this selection from the Arts Council Collection is a key part of our Dance Conference for Wigan Borough September 2011. A chance to Turnpike at 40 celebrations this year. review, reflect and move forward current dance provision within the borough.

For further information about any of these events Look out for… please telephone Vicky Fletcher, Arts Development A Terrible Affray Officer on 01942 828219. Written by Julie McKiernan and performed by Wigan Pier Community Theatre Company. Based on actual events that happened in Wigan in 1895 about the trial of local colliers from Kay’s Houses who were involved in the death of a police detective. Did you know... Wigan & Leigh Disability Arts Network won a major prize in the North West for addressing Equality & Diversity through the Perceptions Art Project!

Arts & Heritage Events & Exhibitions Guide // July - December 2011