Issue No. 38 November 2004 – March 2005

Produced1 by Wigan Heritage Service FREE

From the Editor Goodbye and Good Luck! Firstly, a very big thank you to so In October Claire took up her many of you who have played your WHEN our popular Community new post of Local Heritage Access part in our recent consultation Outreach & Education Officer, Claire Officer at Warrington Museum. As process. Your feedback has been Hawkins, left us at the end of this is her hometown and where invaluable in helping us improve September it was hard to believe she continues to live, alas we could our services and plan for the that she had been with us for over not compete. We would all like to future (see p20 for further details). 18 months. These were months of wish Claire well in her future career The response to the questionnaire hard work, yet the time had simply at Warrington and thank her for her which appeared in the last issue of flown by. We are very happy to time here in Wigan. Past Forward was particularly report, however, that much was gratifying, both with regard to the achieved during this period. number of forms returned and all Anyone who witnessed the holiday the encouraging comments which activity sessions in the Wickham you had to make about the Gallery (the collage footballer, the magazine. It’s so good to know Halloween creepy-crawlies or the that we have a product which is so miniature museums) or indeed has much appreciated by so many. It’s visited the Wigan Casino - the not perfect, of course, and a few Heart of Soul exhibition in the readers did have some constructive Taylor Gallery, will have first hand criticisms/suggestions to make; we experience of some of her work and will, certainly, be taking a close influence on the service. look at these comments, and a more detailed analysis (along with the result of our prize draw!) will Wigan Heritage Service appear in the next issue. Also in the next issue, we hope The Heritage Service has three main outlets – the History Shop, Archives and to bring you some exciting news to Leigh Local History. Please note that all telephone numbers have a 01942 code. do with the History Shop – watch If no individual email address is listed, please use [email protected] this space. We have a wonderful exhibition The History Shop at present in the History Shop. Library Street Wigan WN1 1NU. Wigan Casino: the Heart of Tel: 828128 (general enquiries), 828020 (local history desk – research Northern Soul has proved enquiries and bookings). Fax: 827645. Email: [email protected] immensely popular (see pp3,19). A Opening hours: Mon 10.00 -7.00; Tues - Fri 10.00-5.00; Sat 10.00-1.00 particular word of thanks to Claire Hawkins who curated the Archives exhibition; unfortunately, how- Town Hall Leigh WN7 2DY. Tel: 404430 (general enquiries). Fax: 404425 ever, this was to be her parting Opening hours: Tues-Thur 10.00 - 4.30 (by appointment) legacy to us, as she has now returned to her previous authority, Leigh Local History Warrington (see opposite). Turnpike Centre Leigh Library Civic Square Leigh WN7 1EB. Tel: 404559 Fax: 404567 As Christmas rapidly Opening hours: Mon, Thur, Fri 9.30-7.00, Tues 10.00-7.00; Wed 9.30-5.00; approaches, I would like to remind Sat. 10.00-3.30 readers that the History Shop has got some very special Christmas Staff presents with a difference – I can Alastair Gillies – Heritage Services Manager (and Editor of Past Forward) – Tel: assure you that you will not be 488468 Fax: 488479. Email: [email protected] disappointed. It only remains for Philip Butler – Visitor Services Manager – 827594 – [email protected] me to wish all our readers – Yvonne Webb – Collections Development Manager – 828123 – [email protected] throughout the world! - a very Happy Christmas and prosperous Heritage Officers New Year. Tony Ashcroft – Local History, Leigh – 404559 Alan Davies – Archives – 404431 – [email protected] Mike Haddon – Industrial History – 828121 COPY DEADLINE Diane Teskey (from 4 Jan) – Community Outreach & Education - 828124 Please note that the copy Christine Watts – Local & Family History – 827404 deadline for issue no 39 Heritage Assistants of Past Forward is Elizabeth Fairclough – 828128. Hilary Fairclough – 828128. 1 February 2005. Stephanie Tsang – 828128 Technical All comments and correspondence should be addressed to: Len Hudson – Senior Technician & Photographer – 404432 Editor, ‘Past Forward’, Terry Meehan – Museum Technician Wigan Heritage Service, Observer Buildings, Wood Street, Wigan WN3 4ET Email: [email protected] Cover: Wigan Casino Club ‘All Nighter’ Poster, 1980. 2 History Shop Exhibition Review

The exhibition is proving to be a favourite, especially with Wigan on the Map – on now at those of you who remember dancing the night away to the the History Shop sounds of Northern Soul (see review of the exhibition launch A highly colourful and creative ‘map’ (28 giant panels by Visitor Services Manager Philip Butler on p19). We will be featuring embroidered, painted and knitted images) was organising an oral history recording day in conjunction with made by community groups from all over Wigan Borough to experts from the North West Sound Archive to capture celebrate the new Millennium. The images reflect the best memories of the old Empress Ballroom and Wigan Casino. loved aspects of each area, whether it is the local church, The tape recordings will be preserved for future generations pub, legends or community organisation. at NWSA headquarters in Clitheroe Castle, and copies kept for Talks and tours available by advanced booking for groups reference at the History Shop. Keep a look out in the local press for details, and please come along. Otherwise, valuable and societies (tel: 01942 828128). information could be lost forever. Review - A Feast of Photography! Our annual celebration of photography and its valuable contribution to local history and culture was, as usual, a great success. We began by showing some of the fascinating pictures in our own extensive archive collections, illustrating the milestones of our daily lives with events such as christenings, marriages, first day at school and our first seaside holiday! This was followed by work from two local photographic societies, Wigan and Atherton. The creative and diverse photographs on display represented the culmination of a year’s hard work by society members. It is always intriguing to see the world through the eyes of someone else! Visitors once again, had the opportunity to vote for their favourite picture in the Wigan show. The result will not be revealed until next year’s show, so make sure you are there! Still on the theme of photography, the Heritage Service is currently investigating the possibility of digitising part of our photographic archive and making it available on the world wide web for all. We would be interested to know what you think, so if you have a view, contact Yvonne Webb (01942 828123). Current exhibition - Wigan Casino: The Heart of Soul - Until 26 February 2005 Our final exhibition of the year. This exhibition explores and celebrates the history of a local dance hall credited by many as the birthplace of Northern Soul. Built in 1915 the building firstly named the Empress Ballroom (known in Wigan as the Emp) became world famous in it’s later incarnation as Wigan Casino. From 1973 to the early 1980’s the scene was massive, with soul fans travelling across the country for the regular “Allnighters”. Dancers from the Casino appeared on Top of the Pops, American musicians jetted in especially to perform and the venue won the accolade “best disco in the world” from the American music magazine Billboard. Eventually demolished in 1982, Wigan Casino is now the subject of books, paintings, a touring play, regular articles in the press and television documentaries. Soul DJs and their network of fans continue to “keep the faith” with many events, fanzines and radio programmes. Many local people have memories of the “Allnighters”, the atmosphere, the unique style of dancing, the record traders, and the rare 1960’s soul records re-discovered for a new audience. The life and death of Wigan Casino. 3 The Indians Are Coming!

Stage’ and a ‘Settler’s Cabin’, which Dear Mr. Gillies are the incidents referred to in the opening paragraph. I enclose an article which I Other examples of life in the Wild would like you to consider for West were shown but the show did publication in Past Forward, not confine itself to depicting these, celebrating the centenary of the as the Congress of Roughriders of the visit of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West World demonstrates. Show to Leigh. The local press tells us that little Colin Blake was done on the day of arrival except to make provision for the Wigan horses, but on the Monday, a tent to Saturday 1 October before moving hold some 12,000 people was on to Leigh on the Sunday to erected with other sideshows. present the show the following day The afternoon show drew an (3 October). attendance of 6,000, but in the LEIGH, OCTOBER 1904. Reports evening, special trams were laid on abounded in the district that a to bring people in from Atherton party of around 100 Sioux braves and Tyldesley, many of whom could and warriors from other allied tribes not be accommodated. was active within a ten mile radius of the town. Witnesses described attacks on The Show cabins in St. Helens. Stagecoaches The show which the thousands were pursued and even a cavalry came to see had changed in many regiment was defeated and its respects. Annie Oakley was no troops massacred. Anticipation ran longer with the show and the high as the Indians were expected famous Sitting Bull had been killed to arrive at the town soon.…… Col. William F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) as some years earlier. His son, young And arrive they did on Sunday 2 depicted on the poster for the Leigh Sitting Bull, however, did appear, at October 1904, by three special performances. least according to the St. Helens trains. The famous Buffalo Bill’s Wild Reporter of Friday 30 September West & Congress of Roughriders of The show featured the re- 1904. the World made a tour of Britain in enactment of ‘Custer’s Last Stand’ as 1904; it had been at St. Helens on well as attacks on ‘the Deadwood ¶

¶

An artist’s impression of the Wild West showground which was set up on the Buck’s Farm Estate in the area, between present day Bonnywell Road and Pennington Brook, Leigh. 4 However, those attending still got their money’s worth. The show started with a grand parade of all the company, led by Buffalo Bill himself. Apart from the Indians and Cowboys, the parade included horsemen from all over the world. Mexican Vaqueros rode with Arab spahis. The U.S. cavalry rode alongside British lancers. Gauchos from the Argentine featured, along with the Cossacks of Russia and horsemen from Japan. The appearance of the last two was particularly remarkable as the two countries were at war with each other at the time!

Newspaper illustration of the bicycle leap across 40 feet by ‘Carter, the Cowboy Cyclist’.

The Site So where in Leigh did this great spectacle take place. The report of the show in one paper says: “it was located in the large field on the east side of St. Helens Road, between the railway and the brook”. The brook is Pennington Brook. The railway line used to cross St Helens Road just above Lightbourne Avenue on the west side and present-day Bonnywell Road on the east side. This would put the site of the show somewhere along the line of Pennington Road between the sewage farm and St. Helens Road. The latter occupied the same site in imagine them to be Sioux war 1904 as it does today. ponies as they were on that day 100 Nothing marks the site today years ago, when the Indians came to According to the Leigh Journal of but, if you are lucky, you may see town. 7 October 1904, all the performers some horses grazing in the field and “…..are genuinely what they represent and not actors .…..” It was even claimed that some of the Sioux Indians had actually participated in the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Be that as it may, the various riders put on displays that were worthy of the cultures they represented. The equestrian events were not the only features on show. They were followed by the various re- enactments of life on the American frontier and then by various speciality acts. One of these was the spectacular 40 foot leap through space by Mr. George C. Davis, who The fields between Pennington Road and Pennington Brook, Leigh. Sioux performed under the name of Indians grazed their war ponies at (or very near) this spot in Leigh 100 ‘Carter, the Cowboy Cyclist’. years ago.

5 Marylebone Village 1900-1950 Messrs. Ball & Birchall & families, owners of Marylebone Stores LONG forgotten family War and was finding it store with a post office, As there were few papers have come into difficult to keep to his grocers, butchery, fruit motorcars or garages, this my possession referring trade as a cabinetmaker and vegetables, pottery promenading did not to “the sale of valuable because of ill health; this and drapery department. create any problems and freehold residences, move obviously solved the Two lady assistants reasonably good shops, dwelling houses, problem of caring for his helped my two uncles, my behaviour was the order of ground rents and other family. He did not work in aunt and my mother in the the day. Most of the properties, including the family business but store. My uncles took it in throng had spent part of eligible building sites, was able to find light work turns to run the butcher’s the day at a religious situate in Wigan district locally. My mother, on the shop and deliver orders to service or Sunday school, to be sold by auction at other hand, was skilled at the surrounding districts. as we did. The religious the Clarington Hotel, dressmaking and tailoring, Business and family festivals were a yearly Wigan, on Wednesday and managed the drapery pressures were great and pattern to life, with the 5th day of department at the shop. often, as children, we had Walking Days and outings September, 1923, at to scuttle away from raised, connected to the church 2o’clock prompt, and Influx of workers angry, tired voices. enjoyed by many families; being the estate of the an arranged charabanc All this happened Apart from my father, late Herbert Spencer good health prevailed in outing to the seaside was Woodcock, Esq.” Having c.1925, with my mother, a special treat. brother and myself settled the family, and late nights lived all my 80 years, were spent on the many apart from war service, in the end cottage, which Daily life had frontage onto Wigan chores such as filling on part of this estate at basins with cooked meat Marylebone and Milton Lane and was surrounded Meanwhile, the by trees and gardens; con- and gelatine, boiling hams, surrounding cottages and Grove, I will endeavour keeping accounts and to recall some of my version from privy to our school were a hub of water closets had taken equipment in good order activity as families got on earlier recollections and and clean. current comments on life place by the time we with their lives, with the arrived. One can assume menfolk following their from 1923 onwards. Sunday Parade In September 1923 my that the cluster of cottages trades and the women grandparents, who came and school at Marylebone On Sunday summer cooking and keeping their originally from a farm at had been built some 40 evenings the butcher’s families and houses clean Tunley, Wrightington, years previous (c.1883), shop was scrubbed down with the limited appliances must have gone along to when privies were part of and opened, to sell and cleaning materials the sale of these properties village life, to house the homemade ice cream, available at this time - and land and successfully influx of workers to the sweets and chocolates to rubbing boards, dolly tubs, bid for Lot No.6, being six mill quite near to throngs of young ladies squeezers (used to remove dwelling houses and shop Marylebone at the bottom and gentlemen who water from washed clothes and post office. of Leyland Mill Lane. paraded up and down and bedding) - and all In those days the Wigan Lane, from Swinley having to be worked by Family enterprise famous Laxey Wheel was to the Cherry Gardens, in hand power. made near the river and their Sunday best clothes Wigan Town seemed a A big decision was had to be hauled up in the hope of attracting a long way away from the made in the family that, in Leyland Mill Lane by a suitor. ¶ order to make a success of team of horses straining this newly acquired on the cobbles, and with business and post office, it ropes pulled through rings would be a good idea to fitted into the walls of the get family members lane to haul various parts involved in the enterprise up to Wigan Lane for and for all to live in the transportation to adjoining cottages to the Liverpool, and then by shop. ship to the Isle of Man. So, it came about that my family moved from Marlyebone Stores Halifax, Yorkshire, to live in one of the cottages. My Marlyebone Stores, father had been badly meantime, was starting to gassed in the First World expand into quite a big 6 close-knit community at School remedies that had been cottages on Wigan Lane on Marylebone, with the passed down for their way to and from mining, cotton and The school at generations to cure their Wigan and Boar’s Head; engineering industries Marylebone had a cross- ills. later these were replaced developing at a great pace section of pupils aged 5-11 Marylebone Stores was by buses. in Lancashire as a whole. years. Fields and wood- well placed to cater for the One day, out of the Lots of workers who had lands nearby were being nearby residents and blue, a young man worked on the land got bought by Wigan beyond, and to share their appeared on a pedal bike employment in the mills Corporation and specula- griefs and joys. with a box on the front, that had begun to change tors to build houses for The daily confining and we children were the landscape around doctors, solicitors, den- chores of looking after a introduced to our first Wigan. Men also found tists, skilled and semi- family also created a niche ‘Stop me and buy one’ ice employment in the many skilled workers, and many for home visits by my aunt cream man. Massed mines being sunk in the other professions, and to collect weekly grocery produced ice cream had area, as coal had long some of their children orders; as children we were arrived and it was well since been found to be came to the school. sometimes allowed to go worth saving or begging plentiful and was now The school had a along with her on these pocket money to ‘buy one’. needed for the industries headmistress and two visits and watch as the Horse drawn wagons and homes. Work was also other teachers who were little attaché case was were still widely used to available on the railways dedicated, unmarried and opened to take out the transport coal and other and canals, with talented. They were strict order book and see the goods around Wigan, and apprenticeships opening disciplinarians in a pretty display of new lines of milk was brought round by doors to advancement in parochial environment, but convenience foods that a farmer with his milk float most of these industries. with lots of music, play had come on the market pulled by a horse. Ladling As the professional acting, country dancing and on the shelves of the the milk from a huge churn families moved into the and singing on the lighter store. was not very hygienic; area, there were plenty of side. The normal diet at this nevertheless, we used to jobs in their houses for the time was basic and put the milk jug on the local women. Health wholesome, with lots of doorstep, cover it, and wait Electricity had not potatoes, vegetables and for the daily pint to arrive. come to our cottages in the One family in the meat in the winter, and Refrigeration in the home early 1930’s and I cottages developed TB and greens and fruits in the was a long way off, so remember that gas with it swept through the family summer, usually grown means had to be found to fragile mantles was the members shortening their and delivered to the store keep food and milk as cool means of lighting in the lives. Also, the fever from the surrounding as possible, in the shape of home and on the streets. A hospital at Whelley was a countryside. big earthenware pots kept man came round at dusk busy place and not a in the cool pantry. favourite hospital to be to turn on the streetlights When the tram service contemplated by young Survival of the fittest and came back again at was replaced by buses, the minds. dawn to turn then off. walled brick road was Around this time most On reflection, I suppose Coke and coal were used replaced by the present children in Wigan were an accurate description of for heating and the air wide boulevard – which is vaccinated against these early days was outside was far from still a very attractive smallpox and if you wore a ‘survival of the fittest’. But fresh, especially in the gateway to Wigan town. red ribbon on your arm it one marvels at the winter. This led to many Bank House was meant, “keep off, I’ve got a dedication and good chest complaints and demolished and sore arm”. Payments had character and spitting in the streets with Marylebone Park created. to be made for doctors’ thoroughness of the men Mr. Woodcock’s old house, spittoons, and sawdust visits and medicines – it and women who worked ‘The Elms’ still stands and being used in public was also quite normal for on the various committees, is now used by the NHS. places. families to use herbal planning and deliberating Also, many of the trees to take Wigan and its around Marylebone Park surroundings through and Milton Grove belonged these challenging times – to his estate and are still particularly as regards standing. health, schooling, housing, and the obvious need for Like me, I’m sure many mass entertainment which Wiganers love this part of came with the expansion Wigan and we old ones of the town. remember, with great affection, all the grocers On the roads and merchants who served our town so In the early 1900’s conscientiously. trams were well used, and Mrs P. Rowe ran past the rows of Wigan 7 The Battle of Howe Bridge

THOSE interested in military matters colourful account is not known. Due will be well aware of the Battle of 1881 to the length of the piece, only the Wigan Lane in 1651, during the Civil more interesting sections are War. Apart from that skirmish and transcribed below. other even less important events in “Friday 28 January, 1881, will the dark and distant past, we cannot be long remembered in the annals of claim to have many important battle Howe Bridge. The air was full of sites within the borough. Many rumour as to coming events, and the readers, perhaps, will not know that presence of Infantry at Atherton and the numbers involved in the Battle of of the Hussars at Leigh suggested Howe Bridge in 1881 probably many terrible forebodings in the exceeded those involved at Wigan minds of the more fearful. Great Lane, yet the ‘battle’ was of a totally excitement prevailed in the whole of different nature. the district, especially as crowd after crowd poured into Leigh from all Events leading up to the battle directions, many of the lads and In 1872 the Lancashire and younger men openly brandishing Cheshire Miners Permanent Relief sticks and carrying stones, and Society (LMPRS) was founded with loudly cheering, bands of music headquarters at Wigan. Regular adding not a little to the din. payments guaranteed compensation Medal struck after the Battle of So alarmed were the tradespeople to the men and their families after Howe Bridge (see p10) that shortly after noon most of the injuries or death occasioned at the shops in the town (Leigh) were pit. The men paid in 75% of the closed, but before this was done, contributions but the coalowners of the wider union cause, but by 26 numbers of men availed themselves made up 99% of the board. This January the pits were reopened and of the opportunity to collect aid in displeased the men no end, yet they most of the men went back. money and kind, some of them had no alternative. Meanwhile, angry mobs of rather demanded than appealed for In 1880 the Employers’ Liability miners roamed the mining districts it. In two or three cases they Act arrived, forcing employers to aggressively picketing those behaved in the most cowardly and compensate workers for accidents working. On 25 January 1881, at disgraceful way. where the employers were negligent. Wharton Hall Colliery, Tyldesley, 18- A gang waited upon Mrs. Atkins, The coalowners were furious as the year-old collier Samuel Findlay of who kept her confectioner’s shop in mining industry traditionally Atherton died during fighting . Lord Street, and asked her to suffered massively, on a daily basis, As things worsened the military contribute to the relief fund. She serious injury and death. Wigan coal in the form of the 18th Hussars and gave them some coppers, saying that owner John Knowles, MP for Wigan the 18th Regiment of Infantry were she could not afford more, but not told the House of Commons in 1876 called in and sent to Leigh. The content with her contribution, they that the Act “would lead to nothing Atherton miners return to work had coolly set about plundering her shop but carelessness and idleness among infuriated the strikers, and on 28 of the confectionery it contained, the miners”. He was obviously being January 1881 thousands of miners bulk of which they carried off. Much very wary, as are today’s employers from Ince, Haydock, St. Helens, of the remainder got scattered on the of ‘compensation culture’! Wigan and Hindley attended a mass floor and trampled upon. Miners could opt out of local meeting in Leigh. In the meantime the schemes such as the LMPRS, if they neighbourhood of the Police Court so desired. The coalowners told their A jolly romp was not entirely free, many idlers workers that unless they stayed in The events which took place after standing about waiting for the LMPRS they would be sacked on the Leigh meeting are detailed in the ‘something to turn up’. Here were 1 January 1881. As a result following extracts from the curiously assembled in the buildings several of approximately 50,000 men and boys written account which appeared as a the magistrates for the division, in the Lancashire Coalfield went on supplement to the Leigh Chronicle on among them being Jabez Johnson, strike. 5 February 1881. The account is a Caleb Wright, T. Lee, T.T. Hayes, strange mixture of fact, humour, Abraham Burrows and Ralph Reluctant strikers sarcasm about miners’ character and Fletcher Junior. Captain Allison, the Atherton miners working for the seeing the event as one great Assistant Chief Constable for the caring Fletcher Burrows and Co had adventure, plus journalistic licence. County was also present with Supt. already locally negotiated a better Very much, in fact, how a Sun Jackson, and the available force wages agreement than those in reporter of today would approach the numbered 50 stalwart men, armed nearby mining districts, and had event! with truncheons and cutlasses. even achieved the current pay At the Courts Hotel the troopers demand. The company also had Edited excerpts from the Leigh were paraded and intelligence being embraced with open arms the Chronicle supplement of 5 Feb brought that one of the bands of Employers’ Liability Act. Atherton’s 1881 miners still stopped work, thinking The journalist responsible for this ¶ 8 the way, became a subject of general conversation. The crowd were driven far and wide but so soon as the troops returned, the mob began to creep quietly up again, and for at least an hour little rushes along the road were necessary to keep down the lawless spirit of some of the mob. Shortly after three o’clock, when those working in its pits were ready to leave for home, the row re- commenced. About a score of men with black faces made their way from the Crombouke Pit. They were hailed as ‘knobsticks’ and freely stoned. The police then hurried after them using their truncheons, but the mob were still threatening, and the ‘knobsticks’ took refuge in the cottages. The Infantry were then called out, marched through Howe Engraving from the Leigh Chronicle of the ‘gallant’ charge of the Hussars. Top Bridge and back again, and the left corner shows the police waiting to take action, with local magistrate Ralph ‘knobsticks’ were escorted home in a Fletcher Junior seen holding a pistol. cart, guarded by eight troopers. The Yankee who treated music had gone towards Atherton the mob was bent on mischief, a everything he came across as a heading a mob, the Police and large number of men taking the road joking matter is reported to have Hussars immediately followed, leading to the Lovers Lane Pit by the drawn the line at a mule’s hind legs amidst a very babel of groans and side of Kemp’s public house. after some practical experience at hootings and more unpleasant Another charge was thereupon close quarters. Some of the choicer manifestations of dislike in the shape made, the police clearing the main spirits at Howe Bridge were more of stones and sticks. At Howe Bridge road driving the ‘enemy’ across determined. Out of the painful the police turned up the road on the hedge and ditch into the fields, experiences of the miners’ strike left leading to the pits, and awaited amidst some very discreet stone they drew a supply of good, bad and events. There were here not only the throwing from behind the cottages. indifferent humour, which was a Hussars but a Company of the 8th In spite of these determined charges credit to their inventive genius. It is Regiment Infantry, under the by the police, the crowd kept closing probably that in no other locality command of Captain Egerton and up as soon as their ‘natural enemies’ could such original wit and good Lieutenant Mellor, from the Salford retired to the road, and after a lull ‘story telling’ have been set a-going Barracks. stone throwing was renewed and the as there was in Howe Bridge after As many of the mob were excited crowd again became defiant. the ‘Battle of Howe Bridge’ was gradually creeping up the road it Captain Burn and Lieut. Van-Notten fought. was decided by the authorities to Pole, in command of the Hussars, The incident is not, in itself, endeavour to disperse the people urged the reading of the Riot Act, as pleasant to dwell upon. In fairness before they came to close quarters. several of the troopers had been to the colliers it should not be Sergeant Dunn and his men struck by stones. forgotten that the disturbance was thereupon charged at the double Several of the magistrates took caused by comparatively few out of down the road, amidst a shower of the same view, and at length Mr. a large community, most of the few stones, and did terrible execution Jabez Johnson, accompanied by Mr. being young men and boys, and among the flying mob, using their Burrows and Mr. Marsh, nearly all strangers from Wigan and staffs most vigorously. The troopers magistrate’s clerk, left a cab, and St. Helens. The charge of the simultaneously rode into the fields, advancing into the highway, faced Hussars over hedge and ditch and thus perhaps unintentionally the crowd in the field, and turned to nerved many an old competitor at drove many of the mob into the arms the mob which blocked the highway the Athletic Sports to run as in the of the police, by whom they were on each side. “Go away” said Mr. olden days. As told with panting warmly received. Burrows; “the Riot Act is going to be breath, after all danger was over, Many, in order to get out of the read.” What the ..…. do we care,” the story was like that of the way, took refuge in the closets and was the reply, followed up by Highlander: - outhouses behind the neighbouring stones. Mr. Johnson then read the Some say that we ran cottages, from which they were short Act in bold and measured Some say that they ran hauled by the police and hammered. tones. The last word was scarcely Some say that we both ran away, The stones flew in all directions, uttered before the Hussars, drawing man. many of the police being hurt. Some their swords, charged in all It may be safely asserted that in the mob indeed showed a reckless directions. they did run. The flashing sabre of a indifference worthy of a better cause. The scene that followed cannot Hussar charging at point is a Having dispersed the crowd from the be described. The strategic wonderful incentive to rapid colliery road, the constables returned movements of the crowd, east, west, for a rest, but it was soon clear that north and south, anywhere out of Continued on page 10 9 sufficient to compel him for a few days to ‘sit standing up’. It was, I have sent this message to a relation in The Battle of however, singularly to mark how the U.S. I thought you might like to have uniformly uninjured were those who it for Past Forward. Howe Bridge displayed the greatest bravery. Bob Heaviside This account would not be Standish Wigan 1881 complete without mention of the ––––– war-service medal of bold proportion When do you say that it’s worth it and goodly pattern, which was For future generations to hear Continued from page 9 presented by the ingenious inventor When do you think it’s interesting enough and designer to the officers of the And to hear it from this volunteer. Hussars, and a few of the more progress. Space would fail to active participators in the affray. I’ve been around now for a few years tell.……… The medal bears the inscription: And what I have seen I could tell Of most disastrous chances; ‘Chowbent Battle of Howe Bridge All about Queen and her country Of moving accidents by road and 1881’. Another decoration [a lead And some here at home as well. field; version later to be made at Gibfield Of hair breadth ‘scapes. Colliery, AD] is still wanting to We had a war and it was bloody Of being taken by the insolent suitably reward those distinguished Though I didn’t stray too far from home foe. non-combatant members of local Filling sand bags,wrapping bandages at How one amateur rioter boldy society who can conscientiously the infirmary stood his ground and braved the declare that they were not Don’t worry this isn’t a tome. danger of being made a ‘bored man’ frightened, and that in telling the by some luckless thrust of trooper’s story of the retreat from Howe With V.C.s,D.S.O.s and such like sword. How he escaped because of Bridge, they have kept within the The war soon came to an end his intimate acquaintance with the limits of strict facts.” And you coming straight from the U.S. Hussar, who had marked him for his Of course there was Roosevelt and Lease prey. In conclusion Lend. How an ex-volunteer ran at The events of 1881 at Howe dangerous speed across three fields Bridge were repeated in most mining And now if we disregard T.V. only to have recalled to his mind that districts in the latter years of the And getting older we can spout ‘the wicked flee when no man 19th century. Atherton’s miners had “What did you do in the war dad?” pursueth’. How an active member of good reason to be content with their Is that what we hear the kids shout? ‘Our Own’, and until April 1880, a lot and were the envy of miners in bold exponent of advanced Jingosim, other districts. They were a fair It’s not the war that matters pitifully pleaded on the lines of the workforce though, who did not Getting on with others,that’s the thing doctrine of non-intervention, and oppose strike action in every conflict. How we all jell together claimed immunity from attack on the That workforce was to show, in 1893 And “how long is a piece of string”. score of his long and distinguished for instance, that they were prepared services for Queen and Country. How to suffer great hardship for sixteen So sit the young ones on your knee pa yet another took two hours in weeks when they thought their And tell them just what;s going on travelling from Howe Bridge station cause fair. Amazingly Fletcher Don’t let them think we don’t care now to Atherton Mill, and eventually Burrows and Co supported their Speak up, you’ve done it all my son! returned to Kirkhall Lane via action and helped them with Chowbent, Little Hulton, Tyldesley additional non-mining work and and Little Hulton. How one braver food. The majority of Atherton’s than the rest ran his head into a miners supported the 1912 convenient haystack and defied the minimum wage strike, and they also world, whilst his less sensitive supported the 1921 and 1926 strikes From all at Wigan companions crept beneath amongst (albeit being virtually the first in the the rats. How in fact, everyone was country to return to work!). very brave, but very discreet, and, On another note the supplement Heritage Service after running as though for their to the Chronicle is a good example of lives, returned to Howe Bridge, and how the researcher should be very have since narrated long and well careful of relying on newspaper to all readers of digested descriptions of their accounts. Within the account lies experiences. fact, waiting to be extracted from the Past Forward From the pit brow much could be journalistic colouring. Whatever seen, and at times it was vastly your archive source always think of amusing. The troopers made playful the context the writer is in and his or a Happy exercise around the heads of those in her relationship to the events their way, and frightened many recorded. scores to the verge of despair. In one (Thanks to Ken Wood of Heaton, Christmas and a case a man hurrying over a stile was Bolton, author of The Coalpits of about to receive a blow from the flat Chowbent (1984) for allowing the side of a sword, but swerving at the use of his transcription of the Prosperous moment of attack, received in Chronicle supplement) addition, a slashing injury to his Alan Davies garment and a slight cut to himself, Heritage Officer (Archives) New Year. 10 Another War in Iraq THE invasion of Iraq during early 2003, together DCM. In February 1920 the Indian troops and to with its subsequent occupation by British and Upholland District Council reassure the friendly American forces, still fills our daily newspapers. presented gold medals to natives in the area. They During that conflict many comparisons were written Moore, and also to the marched in temperatures families of two soldiers, over 120F in the shade - with the British invasion of Iraq during World War I, Lance Corporal Fred although there was no made in order to liberate it from Turkish occupation. Latham and Corporal shade! - and the Medical Most stressed the disastrous surrender of British Joseph Calderbank who officer insisted on a 24 forces at Kut, and not too many the triumphant had been awarded medals hour recovery period for occupation of Baghdad two years later. for military distinction the men. during the war but had The Manchesters dug in Even less prominently been subsequently killed in but four days later they remembered are the events action. were surrounded and which occurred during the attacked by several British occupation of Iraq Mesopotamia thousand well armed which covered many years Arabs. After some fierce following the collapse of After the war William fighting the Manchesters the Turkish Empire, as the was unable to settle down attempted to withdraw. victors strove to bring and re-enlisted in the The noise and confusion government, law and order Army, this time being panicked the transport to the region previously posted to the 2nd Battalion animals; the enemy closed held down under a of the Manchester in, resulting in fierce hand- tyrannical regime (who Regiment. His regiment to-hand fighting. Although says that history doesn’t was transferred to the Arabs were beaten off, repeat itself?) If you look Mesopotamia where, under the defenders lost 20 Photograph of William deeply into every great the terms of the 1918 killed, 60 wounded and historical event you will Moore, Wigan Observer, Armistice with Turkey, a 300 missing, of whom only find human stories which 23 Nov 1918, after his British force was to remain 79 were later confirmed as have been overlooked by presentation with a gold in possession. Then, as prisoners. the larger picture but which watch at Bispham Colliery. now, Iraq was an unruly Lance Corporal William mean everything to those place where some tribes Moore was among those involved. signaller in a service were friendly towards the killed. He was just 23 battalion of he Manchester occupying powers and years old, and one of William Moore DCM Regiment. Outnumbered some were hostile. 40,000 British and Indian by swarms of attacking On 4 June 1920 an killed between 1914 and On the Basra Memorial storm troopers and uprising of dissident tribes 1921, during the period which commemorates battered by the enemy took place and a force was when Iraq was liberated those British servicemen artillery, the British sent to put it down. On 20 from Turkish rule. Just one who died in the Iraq defenders held on and the July 1920 the 2nd story from the wider (Mesopotamia as it was line was saved. Manchesters were ordered picture. then known) theatre of There were many to Hillah, on the railway Fred Holcroft operations who have no individual examples of line 70 miles south of (research by Carol known grave can be found heroism over those few Baghdad, to relieve 500 Littler) the name William Moore days, and on 3 September DCM. Moore lived in 1918 the London Gazette Newfold, Orrell, then a recorded a citation which cluster of small cottages in read: a small lane near the “201290 Pte. W Moore, present Upholland High Manchester Regiment School, now replaced by (Wigan). For conspicuous modern housing. As a boy gallantry and devotion to he attended St Lukes duty when he remained in Elementary School before an open trench at a visual staring work at Bispham signal station under heavy Colliery as a drawer. bombardment and by this In June 1915 William, action maintained only just 18 years old, communication.” volunteered for the Army. He had been awarded His service records contain the Distinguished Conduct three numbers: 3513734, Medal, an honour second 201290 and 89029, only to the Victoria Cross. indicating that he was Local people in Newfold reallocated to different and Billinge Higher End William Moore is standing on the left of the back row in units; but in March 1918, held a collection and, on this photograph dated 27 April 1918 (location when the Germans Friday 25 October 1918, unknown). Written on it are the words “Go one better launched their final frantic presented William with a boys”, the motto of the 42nd Division, coined by its attempt to break through gold watch in appreciation General Officer Commanding, Major General Arthur Solly- the allied lines, he was and recognition of his Flood CB, CMG, DSO. 11

Project news Local researchers never cease to amaze me with their Family History energy and enthusiasm for indexing local records. Recently completed by Freda Chorlton is a much needed street index relating to all our filmed areas of the census for 1871. Freda has now turned her energies to indexing Wigan Lower Ince Cemetery registers. Since these cover 1856-1976, even with the help of another Friend, Gerald Marsden, Freda’s time should be well taken up for quite some time. Anyone with time, energy and the inclination to assist Freda and Gerald should contact Christine Watts on 01942 828020. As usual Gerry Rigby and his cohorts continue their dedication to indexing the 1901 census and we have now received the name index to piece RG 13 3564 (Hindley). Local researchers have also been heavily involved in indexing the marriage registers held by Wigan Register Office for Lancashirebmd. I am told that an untold number of mistakes exist in the local marriage indexes and more importantly, complete omissions from the listings. Uploading Additions to The Taylor Gallery the actual data will take a while but I am assured that they will Donations all be online very soon. St Anne’s C.E., Shevington; Index to Burials 26 July 1889 Wigan Websites – 22 August 1914 Visitors to The History Shop often ask what local websites St Thomas, UpHolland; Marriage Index August 1837 – are available to assist them in their researches, whether this February 2004 is local or family history. I am happy to say that where once 1901 census index, Hindley RG13 3562-4 we had little to report, there is now a growing number of sites Hawthorne, Ian The Ghosts of UpHolland 133.129 devoted to life in the Borough in the present and past. Most are by local people, some highlight local churches and others, Hayes, G Collieries and their Railways in the Manchester census records. But all are noteworthy. Coalfield 385.54 Hilton, John The Empty Plinth: Wigan’s Missing Boer War www.wiganworld.co.uk Memorial This magnificent site has grown considerably over the past Matrix Archaeology Nos 1-3 Sandy Lane, Orrell: year and is steadily amassing a staggering amount of information. Currently there are over 5,200 local photos, in photographic record 942.736 both colour and black and white, illustrating life from the Victorian era to the present day. Added to these is a fairly Genealogy large selection of local directories. Also of interest are the Grenham, John Tracing your Irish Ancestors (2nd ed.) forums for genealogy and for Wigan ex-pats in general wishing to make contact locally. Ward, Margaret The Female Line Other delights include a section for local walks, complete with photos, and local events (currently St. George’s Day CD ROMS Parade). There are also three new linked pages for The Nadin The Chronology of British Coal Mining (including The History Shop, Wigan Family History Society and Fred Dibnah! Price of Coal) This last page has a link for Astley Green Colliery Museum. The pages for The History Shop, besides showing General wonderful colour photos of the building, inside and out, also Aspin, C The Water Spinners 338.4767721 list our microfilm holdings for local churches, whilst those for Wigan Family History Society give members’ interests and Dell, S The Victorian Policeman 363.2 contact details, plus a name index to the 1841 Census. There Shannon, Paul British Railways Past and Present – are also links to our own web-site at www.wlct.org (see below) Manchester and South Lancs 940.5 Brian Thurston and his son Richard are to be Holwell, Colin David Brown Tractors: a British Legend congratulated for the quality of their photos and the web site. 629.2252 If you haven’t already done so, take a look at wiganworld. Nowell, David Too Darn Soulful: the Story of Northern Soul www.wlct.org 781.644 This is Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust’s own website and Clays, J & S Wigan Journey 82 gives the usual details of opening hours and contact details. King-Clark, Rex Forward from Kohima 940.5 More to the point, clicking on culture and then heritage brings up the Heritage Service page and lists sources available for Griffiths, Trevor The Lancashire Working Classes c.1880- research at our three venues along with details of exhibitions 1939 942.7 at the the History Shop. There are no original sources on the Shaw, Dave Casino 942.736 site, however, and the site needs updating a little. ¶ 12

www.cmhrc.co.uk Who Do You Think You Are? This is Ian Winstanley’s coal mining deaths data base and The new series of Family History Workshops will begin at the lists 90,000 names for those who were killed in mines (also History Shop on 26 January 2005. As in previous seasons the women and men who were killed on the surface) during the workshops will take place on Wednesday afternoons every years 1850-1914. New material, recently added in 2003, has fortnight. Additional sessions can be arranged at other times updated Lancashire and other Northern counties up to 1946. for anyone who finds the dates/times inconvenient. There is a list also of Ian’s publications available for purchase. A must for coal-mining ancestor research. Date Time Location 26 January 2005 1.30 & 3.00pm History Shop, Wigan www.communigate.co.uk/lancs 9 February 2005 1.30 & 3.00pm History Shop, Wigan A lovely site for those interested in Abram with information 23 February 2005 1.30 & 3.00pm History Shop, Wigan on the Maypole Pit disaster and coal mining in general in the 9 March 2005 1.30 & 3.00pm History Shop, Wigan district alongside Abram’s traditional Morris dancers, 23 March 2005 1.30 & 3.00pm History Shop, Wigan directories for the area and old Abram Charities, plus lots 6 April 2005 1.30 & 3.00pm History Shop, Wigan more. There will be slight changes to the format and delivery, but www.billinge-history.com in essence the principle of each participant on the workshop www.standish.org.uk getting one-to-one attention from an experienced genealogist www.standish-history.org.uk and advice as to the next steps will be continued. The general The above three sites concentrate on the history of Billinge sessions are aimed at beginners, but more advanced and Standish and in the case of the Billinge site have a workshops can be arranged, please ring with your phenomenal number of photographs of the area in black and requirements. Other changes include booking and payment white and colour, ready for downloading to your computer to (£2.50) in advance (now essential) and the issuing of a save or print. All sites are by local people, ie Billinge Local Family History pack before the session. History Society and for Standish, Steve Bradburn in As always a big thank you to the Friends of Wigan Heritage association with Standish Community Forum. Congratulations Service for agreeing to run these for us; without them we to all concerned. would not be able to offer the service. For more information on the Friends, see p20 or contact the History Shop. www.a2a.org For further information and booking please ring the This much underused site gives researchers, as its title History Shop on 01942 828128. suggests, Access to Archives online. The site indexes archive collections throughout England and Wales, and especially Wigan’s own Archive at Leigh Town Hall, Lancashire and Cheshire Record Offices and of course other smaller local Information received from Mrs Doris archives. Crook of Higher Ince You can search the whole database or, region or specific After seeing the letter ‘Some of the Best’ from A E Smith in archive, by subject or even for an individual name or family the last issue of Past Forward Mrs Crook wanted to tell us about name. The site will then load all references to the subject her father Jack Alker. requested and since Quarter Sessions papers and wills are Jack was born in Little Darlington Street, off Manchester held by local archives, the details given can illuminate an Road, at Higher Ince in 1907. His claim to fame was winning a area, possibly not explored previously. Lonsdale Belt in the middleweight division in the 1930’s. Doris A major site for all researchers (see also p18) did have a photograph of her Dad with the belt, a prised possession indeed, but unfortunately it went missing within the family HIRE OF and she now has no clues MEETING ROOM as to who may have it. The The History Shop has a Meeting Room, with a only photograph she does capacity for 36. This is available for hire by local have is reproduced here of groups and societies at a very reasonable cost: the wrestler in a typically SOCIETY RATE imposing stance. Linking in with the letter from Mr Smith, Doris knows that her £8.25 father used to wrestle and train at Belshaws, travel to wrestling PER MORNING/ AFTERNOON SESSION matches at Belle Vue and Hardwick,and was possibly trained for £12.35 a while by Burgie Ben himself. PER EVENING SESSION Jack became something of a local celebrity and a popular COMMERCIAL RATE local character. We can only guess at the number of drinks earned through his party piece of showing the belt to interested £20.00 regulars at the Engineers Arms or the Belle Green Hotel. PER MORNING/AFTERNOON/EVENING SESSION Note from Ed. If anyone reading this does know the If you are interested, contact Philip Butler whereabouts of the photograph of Jack with the belt please let us Tel (01942) 828128 know, Doris would be delighted to see it again, and we would love to print it. 13

trial areas of Lancashire. Family History Peter Wright, profession- ally employed as foreign correspondent with Pilkingtons, had been a local preacher for over half a century and filled all the offices in the church open to a layman. Joseph Wright served Continued from page 13 the church in various ways including that of choirmas- ter for more than 34 years, The Wright while David Wright was Superintendent of the family Methodist Sunday School at Glazebury. William, my RESEARCHING my family maternal grandfather, Benjamin played double before I was born. I met my tree, I was fortunate to find served as Sunday school bass; Thomas, the flute paternal grandmother on two particularly interesting Superintendent, Church and Jim the cornet. only one occasion that I newspaper cuttings. Treasurer, Circuit Steward My father, Edmund recall, when I was very Stalwarts of Methodism and Society Steward. Gardner Wright, the young. My memory is of a younger son of Walter and small woman dressed in The first of these was Gardner’s band Mary Jane Wright, only black and wearing a black from the Daily Telegraph in daughter of the Gardner bonnet in the house. She 1924 under the headline The second of the two family, was a well known presented a somewhat "Brothers Proud Record - newspaper cuttings, dated and respected tenor singer forbidding appearance to a Stalwarts of Methodism." 31 May, 1935, showed a in St.Helens and district. small boy. The article went on to print photograph (top right) of a He frequently gave a remarkable record of father and mother and their individual singing recitals Love of the theatre service in the Primitive eight sons who comprised as well as being a member Methodist church held by what was claimed to be my of the choral group known Although I won several six Lancashire brothers home town's first orchestra as the Good Comrades singing competitions as a named Wright whose known as "Gardner's Songsters, a leading tenor boy soprano, my life-long combined ages at that time Band." The family were in the St. Helens Amateur love has been of the theatre were 432 years. responsible for the founda- Operatic Society, and and after retiring from my The brothers who where tion of orchestral music in deputy conductor of his professional employment born in Glazebury were my St.Helens, home town of church choir, thus carrying with BlCC Ltd, in Leigh, I great uncles and my mater- Sir Thomas Beecham and on the musical tradition of gained the London nal grandfather. The eldest, where I was born in 1922. the Gardner family. Academy of Music and John Wright, had been on The Gardner family His father, Walter Dramatic Art (LAMDA) the church plan for over 60 were reputedly musicians Wright and his wife and gold medal. For many years and was one of the of high standing. They had their three children years I was a member of most popular preachers more than a local immigrated to America in Wigan Little Theatre, and and lecturers in South reputation in St. Helens as 1893 where my paternal also performed in theatres Lancashire. The Rev James their musical performances grandfather thought he in St. Helens, Leigh and Wright began his ministe- were frequently acclaimed could make a better life for Bolton. rial career as a missionary in Birmingham and himself and his family. He Eric S Wright in Queensland where he Manchester. The father, my was a glass-blower by Lowton Warrington served for 10 years. On his paternal great grandfather, trade and they ended up in return to England he played the clarinet; his Fisher's Patch, about half- became Superintendent sons John, Joseph, and way between the two Minister in several indus- William played the violin; Pennsylvanian cities of Shendoa and Mahanoy. It was here that my father was born in 1896. As there was little or no glass industry in the immediate vicinity, my grandfather went to work in the local coal mines. Tragically he was kicked by one of the mules in the mine, receiving a head injury rendering him epileptic and unfit for work again. He died in 1901 at the age of 39 after returning to St. Helens. Unfortunately I never Edmund Gardner Wright met my paternal in one of his many The six Wright brothers outside their church in Glazebury. grandfather, who died operatic roles. 14

Grounds Family Newsletter Extract from Issue No. 7, September 2004 Pit Brow Lass servant, artist, author I first came across Dear Editor and poet. His role as a Ellen Grounds a few About two years ago a photograph appeared in Past civil servant brought him years ago when her Forward of a pit brow lass named Ellen Grounds and, since into contact with Ellen in photograph appeared in this is my own family name, it made me search my own the late 1860’s and mid 1 an edition of Past database to see if I could piece together something about 870’s, when he was Forward, a free her. I have attached the details I have and with some looking into the role of publication by Wigan acknowledgements, I hope you find it of some interest. working women, Heritage Service. Note that the photographs are taken from a book and I am especially in the coal Although I had many not sure where the originals are held. industry, and he travelled Grounds names on my Jack Grounds the country in this work, database it was a while Atherton Nr Manchester before I built up a family some of which led to tree for her. A little while changes in the employment of women. ago Alan Davies, Wigan and coal miner at various Munby (1828-1910). Heritage Service’s On p343 of the book is times during his lifetime. This gentleman kept a Archivist, based in Leigh, the following report of Little is known of her diary during his lifetime informed me about a one such meeting of early childhood and we and Derek Hudson wrote diary of Arthur J Munby, Munby and Ellen who at next come across her a book titled ‘Man of Two which was in Leigh this time was living as a when she comes into Worlds’. Munby was an Reference Library and boarder with the Green contact with Arthur J educated man, a civil contained some family at 7 Coldwell Fold information on Ellen. Scholes Wigan. Tony Ashcroft, Local “Thursday 11th History Officer for Leigh, September 1872 Wigan I let me read the book that Derek Hudson had [Munby[ was lodging at written about Munby. the Royal Hotel Wigan Ellen came into the and I went to see Mrs. world at lam (according Little, photographer and to her birth certificate) on cab owner’s wife. I 12 November 1849 and inquired about Ellen and she was the 5th daughter was informed that she and 10th child of Richard had arrived. Ellen herself Grounds and Ellen came out of the kitchen Clitherow. Her parents and she was dressed in had been married at her pit clothes as she had promised. She looked Wigan All Saints on 13 vastly bigger in her February l837 and working clothes than she resided at Birkett’s Bank, had done last night in her Scholes. The baptism of Sunday clothes. She wore Ellen was at St. her wadded bonnet, the Catherine’s Church, front part tied tight over Scholes on 25 November the forehead and the 1849, and a month later hood encircling her head her mother registered her like an aureole, her loose birth at Wigan. Various blue patched cotton other members of the bedgown made her full family were christened at bust and broad shoulders St. Catherine’s, which is look larger still, below it on a hill above Birkett’s came her striped skirt, Bank. Her father, Ellen Grounds, aged 17, a collier at Rose Bridge Pits, Richard, was a labourer Wigan 1866. Continued on page 16 15

buttoned her coat and Grounds stood readily and well as I posed her, and she was Family first taken in that guise Newsletter and then without the coat. I standing beside ––––– her, to show how nearly Continued from page 15 she approached me in sire. Indeed the bigness of gathered up around the this bonny Ellen struck hips and under that her me more than ever and breeches, the pair she she seemed to fill the showed me last night and lobby and the Portrait with her iron shod clogs shed with her presence. on, Ellen had forgotten to She was as big as Mrs. bring her topcoat, and Little and her daughter first tried on a coat together and she strode belonging to Mrs. Little’s about the room in her son, a big lad, but it was sounding clogs and too small for her. Mrs. laughed and chatted with Little coat, a rough one the two women in a like her own was tried kindly and respectful and it fitted her well. way, but with the air of a Then she was strong man speaking to furnished with a spade, feeble folk. She did to represent her great everything just as she coal shovel. She was told and enlivened the proceedings by jest at shouldered the spade in a Ellen Grounds in her Sunday dress. workmanlike fashion, her own expense, and hearty good humoured Ellen’s mother died in talk”. 1885, but not before The photograph above seeing Ellen’s first three is of Ellen in her Sunday children. Richard, her PARISH VIDEO best and previously father, died in 1893 and referred to in the he was alive for two more STANDISH narrative. The grandchildren. Their presents photographer was a children were Elizabeth The History of Coalmining Robert Little situated in (1880), Richard (1883), Clarence Yard, just off James (1885), Sarah E in the Borough of Wigan Wallgate, Wigan, and (1888) and Samuel Titles include there is still a place with (1893). By the start of that name yet. The Royal the 20th century the Nothing Too Serious? Hotel was on family were living at 6 (The last working year and closure Standishgate. Her parents Cumberland Street, of Bickershaw Colliery) had continued to live in Wigan; Ellen was no the Schofield Lane area of longer working at the Blue Scars, Black Diamonds Scholes, and were still colliery, and Charles was (A History of Mines and Miners living there when Ellen a Blacksmiths striker, as in the Wigan area) married Charles Hanson was their son Richard. (in two parts) at All Saints Wigan on 22 James was a labourer in March 1875, although the coalmine and Also available she herself was living in Elizabeth was employed The Standish Chronicles Hallgate, and still a as a cotton spinner. At Part 1, Part 2 colliery labourer. Both present I have not found (A General History of Standish) Charles and his father out when she died, but it were gunsmiths would be interesting to For more details: 01257 422108 according to their find out how her family marriage certificate. fared. 16

THREE WIGAN FAMILIES THE COLE FAMILY containing a pond between the Hulse's My parents, John (Jack) Cole and Dear Sir house and a row of three shops - a Miriam (nee Pardoe) were both born Thank you for printing my letter in Past butcher's, a chip shop and Ashton's in Warrington, as I was, but moved to Forward 36, p20. As a result, I have been contacted by several Wiganers. I Confectioners. Beyond this area was a Wigan when I was four years old - enclose some illustrated articles for large field where I used to play cricket first Fir Grove and then Guildford your consideration, relating to three with the Hulse boys and others. Since Crescent, Beech Hill. I have many old Beech Hill and Gidlow families - the then, that whole area was taken over documents concerning my father in Taylors, Hulses and Coles. by a Tupperware factory - good for World War I. After he was Cecil E Cole jobs but bad for the kids. commissioned, he served in Clevedon Somerset Mesopotamia where he caught THE TAYLOR FAMILY dysentery and malaria before being right is my wife's mother, Edna. The Mathew and Edna (nee Hulse) transferred to India. He worked in youngest, Jack, was at Dunkirk in Taylor lived in Gidlow Houses, Wigan dole office until I was about 16 World War II. Mr. Hulse worked at the alongside other members of the Taylor when he transferred to the Admiralty Plantations at Haigh. family, from the time when they were in Plymouth. built. Gidlow Houses were called by When World War II started, the some in those days Brimelow Houses whole family, except me, was in - we don't know why! Malta. I joined the RAF and my When my wife Eunice's mother mother, brothers and sisters were Edna was expecting her, Mathew was evacuated from Malta to Camborne in buried by a rockfall - I think it was at Cornwall - the ship containing all their John Pit. His face was badly disfigured, furniture and belongings was sunk. and he suffered from it for the rest of My father remained in Malta and his life, but received no compensation donned uniform again, helping to in those days. He never ventured man the anti-aircraft batteries. underground again. Below is a Eunice Taylor and I were married photograph of Coal Board employees - in the middle of the war at St Mathew is second from left on the Michael's, Wigan which was the back row. The locomotive behind them Taylor's church (see photo below). used to travel from Taylor Pit and Our best man should have been Giant's Hall to a coal wash on the other Ronnie Walker from Guildford side of Gidlow Houses. Crescent but unhappily he had been shot down over Holland and I believe was killed fighting with the Dutch The photo below was taken at Resistance. Our son David was born Wigan Carnival in 1911 when Mrs. in Wigan the following year. Four of Hulse, her sister Elizabeth and a lady my parent's eight children were born called Seddon (dressed in men's in Wigan including a son, David, who clothes) won first prize. The Hulse's died aged two in Wigan Infirmary - house in Gidlow Lane was opposite the our son is named after him. top of Fir Grove where I lived as a boy. At that time there was a large area

My wife had two sisters - the middle one, Brenda and her husband, who was on submarines when they married, eventually joined the diplomatic service. This led to a very interesting life for both of them, travelling and living all over the world. Her younger sister, Avril and her husband immigrated to Canada. She recently put her name and address on the Internet and received a reply asking if she was the Avril Taylor who lived in Gidlow and had a dog called Belle. It turned out to be her cousin Dorothy's son, Tony Wyatt, THE HULSE FAMILY who had lived in Gidlow and used to The group photo (centre top) is of play with our son David when they the Hulse family during World War I. were little! Tony's father, Jack Wyatt, The eldest son, Charlie, was not on it was a Wireless Operator/Air-gunner as he was away in the trenches. In the like me but unfortunately did not centre-rear is George and extreme survive the war. 17

Ephemera from the Archives

older catalogues had nearly researching, for instance, the A2A unlocks the Nations and faded away, with no masters Davies family (a very worthy to fall back on, they had to be cause!) and, after going on (more importantly) our Archives overwritten to be legible. This A2A, you find 3500 refer- Where are the in other documents. Compare process took nearly three ences to Davies’s in our area Leigh - Worsley how long the process of weeks. Access to catalogue in all manner of sections of searching took back in the descriptions of this type from the collections. A request for canal records held? days of only having the paper all the repositories around the photocopies of all these Most users of our archives catalogues. Since 2001 a North West will soon be entries from the original doc- think that all local records will staggering 5 million searches possible. uments would not be wel- be held by us at Leigh. Far and over 10 million catalogue comed for obvious reasons, from it! Many people without downloads have taken place! and would also cost you special knowledge would Browsing for coal A2A allows you to search £52.50! never expect, for instance, Go to the website and browse for information The information on A2A Northampton Record Office to www.a2a.org.uk and click about archives in England up more often than not will be be holding records related to on the phrase “search the to the present day which are adequate for you and a copy the building of the canal from catalogue”. Here you can type held in local record offices will not be required. Some of Worsley to Leigh or land in in keywords or names or and libraries, universities, the documents A2A brings up Tyldesley and Pemberton. localities. This search will museums and national and may be very fragile or of great Thomas Egerton of access all the catalogues specialist institutions across age and importance, so a Brackley, Northamptonshire currently on A2A, so it is England. The long term aim is large order would mean the was the Lord Chancellor better to go into “extended to get all catalogues held by Archivist spending a great 1603-1617. His son John, the search” after you have opened repositories online, plus there deal of time checking the con- 1st Earl of Bridgewater, “search the catalogue” and in are projects in hand to tackle dition of many documents inherited the Brackley the dialog box “location of the many uncatalogued beforehand. (Northampton ) estate from archives” bring up Wigan collections archives held. his father-in-law the Earl of Archives Service. Your search Until recently, to find out Derby in 1594. The Earls and will now only include our Limitations whether archives held are of Dukes of Bridgewater held catalogues. Type in coal and A2A is a great step interest to you, it was estates in Brackley Kings see what comes up. forward, but only as good as necessary to consult a paper Sutton, Syresham and You can now see how our catalogues and index catalogue or other finding aids Crowfield, Wollaston, useful A2A is for us at the cards - some of these are very such as index cards written by Tyldesley and Worsley and Archives. I can now answer a basic, while others are very archivists with illegible Stetchworth query on coal, coalmining or detailed, and some even handwriting similar to (Cambridgeshire). So through the coal industry and email illegible! We were unable doctors! A2A allows you to this family connection at back all the catalogue sadly to include our search across catalogues Northampton Record Office, references on the subject Wrightington Deed collection from over 340 repositories in in the Egerton family of instantly, or better still tell the index cards, as many were England. The database is Brackley deposit, we will find enquirer how to access them! virtually illegible to both us regularly updated as more material relating to Tyldesley, No archivist, no matter how and the A2A team. This is and more catalogues are the Worsley to Leigh canal and enormous his or her brain such an important collection, copied and sent into the A2A Pemberton. power, can hold in their with over 3000 documents transcription team, so you memory a collection of dating back to the late 12th Enter A2A need to revisit the website millions of documents. The century. Very long term the A major initiative by the often to include newly added cross referencing power of a answer will be searchable Public Record Office and catalogues in your search. computer unlocks the digitisation of archives regional archives agencies Because the overall task is collections in a way never themselves. A computer called Access To Archives (or so enormous, depending on possible before. Unless a ‘anorak’ friend of mine tells A2A) has been in progress the region and locality, person was prepared to me that already there are since 2001. This involves specific aspects of the area’s plough through all our programs which can scan Archives Services all over archives are currently being catalogues over a period of archives or illegible index England copying their paper asked for first under project weeks on the off-chance of cards, even archives in catalogues and sending them titles. We have just copied all spotting a reference to coal, obscure early hands and by a off to be transcribed by typing our church, parish and local they only scraped the surface learning process convert the slaves chained to computers. government catalogues for the potential of our collections. content into text. This may Once that information is on current ‘Community Spirit’ happen sooner than we think. computer, it can be searched project, being co-ordinated by Don’t go mad! Alan Davies instantly using keywords, Greater Manchester County Please be careful when Heritage Officer printed out, emailed, or used Record Office. As many of our using A2A. You may be (Archives) 18

HISTORY SHOP NEWS The sound of Wigan Black History Exhibition Casino at the History Month Programme 2005 Shop A big event occurred at the History On 21 October the History Shop was Shop on 8 October 2004, when the Planning for next year’s the venue for a party to mark the opening Council wide ‘Black History Month’ was programme is well under way. of the exhibition, Wigan Casino – The launched. This was combined with a We start the year with a Heart of Soul. It was actually a private meeting of the Community Cohesion travelling exhibition from the view of the exhibition by invitation as a Forum, a specially prepared multi-cultural thank you to all those who had contributed buffet featuring some truly wonderful National Coal Mining Museum, to its development and supported the food, and exhibitions from the Rafiki and if your ancestors were coal History Shop in its execution. The party group and the ‘Kick Racism out of miners, you have just got to did get started though, in a real way, later Football’ campaign. The speakers visit it! ‘Routes to Your Roots’ at the Last Orders in town when everyone included our own Council Chief Executive looks at ways to trace the family from the opening event was invited down Steve Jones, the Mayor Cllr. John Hilton, history of coal miners and the to Russ Winstanley’s regular Thursday and Milton Brown and ‘Afrikan’ from evening Northern Soul disco. Huddersfield! The event went extremely more general history of coal It was a great turn out for the private well and showed just how many people mining itself. It will be view with over 80 people in all coming could be catered for at the History Shop supplemented by material through the doors, some still arriving as with a lot of organisation and hard work. which is specific to our local the doors were about to close at 8pm. area. It is aimed at beginners, Saying a few words about the Casino club but the more seasoned were the Radio 2 DJ and TV personality Stuart Maconi and DJ Russ Winstanley. researcher will also find it of interest. We continue with Wigan and Atherton Photographic Societies exhibitions - A Feast of Photography! Finally, we end with an exhibition that looks at the people who have come to live and work in the Wigan area from other parts of Britain and DJ’s Russ Winstanley and Stuart Maconi the world, since the 19th listening to some Casino favourites at century to the present day. We the exhibition launch. will explore the reasons why they came, what happened to The exhibition features the story of the them and the effects of the Empress Ballroom in Wigan, opened in resulting mix of culture and 1915 and destroyed by fire in 1982. It also peoples. We will also look at charts the development of the Northern Soul movement at the venue from the first how this is represented in the all-nighter in 1973 to the last in December historical record, which could be of 1981. The story for Northern Soul goes useful for those with ancestors on with the dedication to the music and from distant parts of Britain or the friends made being now as strong as overseas. ever. For the ‘Emp’, though, Wigan’s As always, workshops and greatest dance hall and the world’s best disco, the story came to a sad end. events will accompany the Come and relive those youthful exhibitions, so watch out for memories or take a look at what your our new leaflets, posters and parents really got up to in the ‘70’s. The press releases. See you next exhibition continues at the History Shop year! until 19 February 2005. Yvonne Webb A CD, ‘Wigan Casino Soul Club - Collections Development 30 Years of Northern Soul Memories’ - is on sale from the History Shop @ Manager only £9.50 plus p&p. Wigan Heritage Service 19

HISTORY SHOP NEWS Friends • Upgrading of the equipment, the need The main findings were as follows: for new readers Over the summer work has continued • 52% of respondents had heard of on our indexing projects. The subjects • Acquiring more resources, wider GRO Wigan Heritage Service covered are wide ranging and should coverage 21% had used the service in one form appeal to most people wanting to get • • More consistent staff training and or another involved in heritage work in Wigan. This knowledge includes the indexing of census returns, of these 82% found the staff friendly Earlier opening times, 9.30 or even • church records, local newspapers and • and/or knowledgeable 9.00am important local book collections. There is • in total 88% wanted to visit the History always more to do; in the past we have Their conclusions were very focused Shop worked on indexing maps, and in the not on improvements that could be made to 71% wanted to see temporary too distant future we plan to tackle the the venue and the facilities. As this group • exhibitions on local history, 62% about huge task of cataloguing and indexing our is made up of regular visitors this is much family history photographic collection while making the as you would expect. images more accessible in a digital Elsewhere in this issue you will find This survey also made some effort to archive. We are still looking for people other results from our surveys, the find out about the general accessibility of who can spare time to devote to these Citizens Panel and interim reports from the service: Friends projects. If this does not appeal, the last Past Forward questionnaire and 79% agreed with the statement that History Shop visitor survey. What do you • then voluntary work can be organised the venues were easy to access through the Heritage Service and not the think, do you agree or disagree? All views Friends, helping with the Archive are very welcome, please send to P Butler • 74% agreed they were easy to find collection in Leigh. at the History Shop, Library Street, Wigan • 70% agreed they were welcoming WN1 1NU. • 74% agreed they were easy to get Focus Groups around At the last Friends meeting one of the Citizens Panel Some of these results are quite many items covered was what the As I’m sure interested residents of our surprising, especially in relation to the Friends, all regular visitors, thought of the borough reading this will know, Wigan History Shop. The project to improve and History Shop. Those present were asked Council prides itself on being one of the refurbish this venue should improve these the questions on the current History Shop more progressive local authorities in the figures further. visitor survey and their answers were country. As such over two years ago a When asked about opening times quite revealing. Take a look at their ‘Citizens Panel’ was set up to gain the ‘what opening times would you be likely comments and then please let us know thoughts of a broad range of residents on to make most use of?’ the panel gave what you think. varied issues. The panel, consisting of some interesting responses: • Better signage, both to the building 1500 people drawn at random from the from the town and once in the building voting list and changing over on a regular • Afternoon visits represented the most • Better access to the first floor, some basis, was asked in April 2004 questions cited visiting time but only slightly sort of lift relating to the Heritage Service. • Saturday afternoon was seen as the most likely, 38% for the History Shop FRIENDS OF WIGAN HERITAGE SERVICE and 35% for the archives • Sunday was seen as the least popular day, 20% for Sunday mornings and Name ...... 33% for Sunday afternoons Address ...... • Sunday also got the highest number of respondents saying they wouldn’t visit ...... on this day 20%

Interests ...... • Evening openings were not given a high status with 27% for weekday ...... evenings and only 8% for weekends Please enclose £5 subscription for one year’s membership. Cheque/P.O. payable to Factors suggested to increase use of Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust. Please return to the History Shop, Library Street, Wigan the service included: WN1 1NU. Remember your subscription entitles you to a priority mailing of Past Forward three • 54% Family History Workshops times a year, starting with the currrent issue unless you request otherwise. • 38% Local History Talks N.B. If you do not wish to cut this coupon out, a cheque along with your details on plain 35% Guided Tours paper is fine. • 31% Children’s Activities • ¶ 20

HISTORY SHOP NEWS ‘A super publication. Always welcome in Visitor Survey – interim A Big Thank You this house’ Any regular visitors to the History Thank you to everyone who replied to And we have many, many more. Shop will have noticed that there is a our consultation in the last issue of Past Forward by returning the questionnaire, However we are not perfect and not all survey being held there too! All we can the returns are without criticism, and we say is we do hold great store by public we were quite literally overwhelmed. As the currency of the survey actually will take on board where we can any consultation and surveys are a great way extends beyond the copy date for this suggestions for further improving the of getting your views. We promise that issue, we are only able to publish a few magazine. this apparent overload on surveys will highlights from your replies. In the next ************ not go on forever and once the current issue hopefully we will have a full analysis As you can see we had more than a questionnaires are all in we will spend of the results ready so will share them few comments on the History Shop and time analysing the results. As with the with you. the Heritage Service in general. Another Past Forward questionnaire the final Despite the fact that all the vital reason for us reading every single date has not passed on this survey, so questionnaires are not yet in, we have returned questionnaire is to make sure the following results are just a taster looked at each and every one so far that any requiring an answer were dealt with promptly. prior to a full report next time. submitted. The overall picture is For example Mr Miller from Bristol The questionnaire covers all Heritage extremely positive. It seems you do genuinely love the Past Forward returned his questionnaire (thank you Mr venues and these figures are combined. Miller) and took the opportunity to ask magazine and look forward every four However, over 75% of respondents about an enquiry he had made some time months to its arrival. You find it difficult visited the History Shop. earlier regarding a book we have for sale. to fault either the format, layout, legibility We replied and received a very nice thank 74% of visits were for research or content, surely there is something we • you letter from him with an order for the purposes can improve upon! book included. Mrs Lawton from Walton- Comments from some of the forms so of these 91% visited for family le-Dale returned her questionnaire (thank • far include: history, 16% for local history you Mrs Lawton) and whilst saying she enjoyed a recent visit to the History Shop, the most used resources among this ‘I have found it a wonderful reminder of • my youth…’ found it ‘great and very interesting’, she group were the microfilms at 75% was not satisfied with the service she and the microfiche at 30% ‘Excellent – a credit to the town/community’ received while trying to get some 77% of this group rated their visit as information. A letter supplying the • ‘Past Forward and the History Shop are a excellent information she had been seeking was credit to the Borough’ dispatched and again solicited a very • 96% of all respondents rated the ‘The Past Forward magazine is unique, a complimentary reply. venue, the facilities and the staff winner for any Heritage Service’ We feel that this part of the process is either good or excellent and a similar ‘Excellent value’ very important. If you have put anything figure rated their satisfaction with the in the comment section that we feel ‘Through it (Past Forward) I am now in visit as good or above merits a reply we will get back to you. contact with an old work mate of almost Thank you again for your response, 68% rated the staff excellent 70 years ago and through her receiving • and look out in the next issue for a full • demographics show that 88% are in news of yet another. My annual fiver to report. the over 40 age brackets while 51% you is well worth it!’ are over 60 ‘I derive a great deal of pleasure from reading Past Forward’ Christ Church • 67% of visitors from within WN postcodes, with 91% from the wider ‘The Heritage Service is great’ Pennington North West region ‘I forward the magazine to friends in New Zealand, who also pass it on, the is celebrating its These results are very encouraging, feedback and compliments you receive is 150th anniversary but do indicate that so far we have only quite extraordinary’ reached the research visitors. It is far A booklet, which provides a ‘Wonderful memories of Wigan and more difficult to consult with exhibition brief history of church is people, keep on printing’ viewers and general browsers through available from both Leigh this sort of passive survey. However, we ‘Thank you all at Past Forward and the History Shop’ Library and the History Shop. have visitor books and comment books The title is in the venues and visitor comments from ‘Keep up the good work’ specific shows, such as ‘Wigan Casino’, ‘Past Forward is a delight’ ‘150 YEARS OF SERVICE’ are likely to be valuable feedback ‘Congratulations on producing such a first and costs £2.50. sources. class magazine’ 21

from a large collection of the artist's prints taken from many series of paintings. Local subjects include 25 Doorways public buildings, churches, streets, Formby houses, parkland, canalside A DRAWING AND QUIZ One prize will be for the highest three views of Central Park. number of correct answers, with Decorative compositions have been FEATURING question 26 as a tie breaker if developed from designs printed in 25 DOORWAYS required. Past Forward centre spreads Aspull, The second prize will be for the most Haigh, Ince, Leigh, Orrell, Standish, IN WIGAN apt and original answer to question etc. Subjects further afield include by 26, with this prize awarded limited editions of Thomas Hardy GERALD RICKARDS irrespective of answers given or properties and places linked with his ignored from all the other questions. writing; English Cathedrals and Gerald’s centre spread for this issue is Cathedral Close buildings, National one with a difference. A number of THE PRINTS Trust properties, waterside buildings, historic cities in the British Isles have Prize winners will be able to select windmills and Oxbridge Colleges. already produced well-known posters illustrating their doors, so here is Gerald’s contribution for Wigan. Better CLUES still, it’s done in the form of a quiz (a very With numbers given in five rows, reading from left to right, top to foot of design. challenging one, ideal for pondering over 1. I'll bet you get this one ...... the Christmas holidays); and best of all, 2. Eat and enjoy the view ...... it will also help an extremely deserving cause. Gerald hopes to resume his 3. First a pharmacy, later a bank. Now? ...... popular series of local drawings in the 4. Next door is more genuine ...... next issue. Ed. 5. Handshakes no longer here after a 100 years ......

THE QUIZ 6. A musical instrument can sing like Bing Crosby ...... The drawing of 25 'Wigan doorways' 7. Not the main entrance ...... is presented in the form of a quiz. 8. Looks like a door but it isn't ...... Most of the doors are in the centre of 9. Two white roses ...... the town. The area covered stretches 10. The door that leads to an aisle ...... from the edge of Mesnes Park to the Wallgate and Chapel Lane railway 11. Definitely Italian ...... bridges. Number 23 is the only door 12. Blithely climb we up the hill' ...... on the out of town side of the dual 13. Said to be the grandest building in town ...... carriageway Riverway and Central 14. Two occupants come from another house ...... Park Way. 15. Queues outside before 9 a.m ...... Hopefully it will give enjoyment to all and at the same time raise money to 16. No longer furnished ...... help the Hospice. 17. Through the door and open wide ...... 18. Go in here for a break ...... ENTRY FORMS 19. Lengthy history to this place ...... These can be sent in several ways; by 20. Next door is not quite so genuine ...... submitting the question page (or photocopy) as printed in Past 21. Do they still serve 'Barkers' here? ...... Forward; handwritten answers or on 22. Some choices limited here...... one of the question sheets available at 23. Plays a part in entertanment ...... various centres, including the History 24. Now bricked over for Tender Loving Care ...... Shop, the Hospice, Hospice Shops, 25. Bigger than the other one ...... several libraries, the artist and at CCArt picture framers and gallery in 26. Extra prize and tie breaker: Suggest another doorway with appropriate clue Hallgate, Wigan. (no more than 10 words) ...... HANDING IN OF FORMS ...... Entry forms can be sent to Wigan and Leigh Hospice, Kildare Street, Hindley, Wigan WN2 3HZ or handed in at the NAME ...... History Shop, Hospice Shops, some ADDRESS ...... libraries, the artist, or CCArt in ...... Hallgate, Wigan. Telephone (optional) ...... THE PRIZES PLEASE 1) tick here if donation (not less than £1) is enclosed ...... Prizes will be of signed prints in 2) tick here if donation given when sheet purchased...... frames (alternative if desired of two and place where purchased ...... signed unframed prints).

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23

Holocaust Memorial Day

“I had many illusions when I was liberated. I The Lessons of History thought …. that generations to come would be Stephen Lythgoe, Wigan Library Service’s free from prejudice forever. Alas, I was Reader-in-Residence, will be giving some more wrong.” Lessons of History – readings and music to Anita Lasker Wallfisch commemorate the Holocaust. Details are as survivor of Auschwitz and Belsen follows:

Thursday 27 January is the date for the Golborne Library commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day in Thurs 20 Jan 1.30 pm 2005. This will be a particularly significant Derby Room, Leigh Library event, as it will mark the 60th anniversary to Sat 29 Jan 1.30 pm the day of the liberation of Auschwitz, in 1945. The theme for 2005 is ‘Survivors, Liberation & Standish Probus Club, The Owls, Standish Rebuilding Lives’. Tues 8 Feb 10.30 am As with the past four years, Wigan Council will be holding its own programme of Two additional sessions will be held in Wigan commemoration, on and around the day itself. Town Centre and Hindley Museum – see publicity leaflets for further details. Ceremonies There will be two ceremonies of Exhibition commemoration, in Mesnes Park, Wigan at 11.00 An exhibition am and in Civic Square, Leigh at 2.00 pm. Pupils featuring material from from Hesketh Fletcher High School will once again the Beth Shalom be taking part, in drama, verse and music; various Holocaust Centre, the civic dignitaries will also be present. Anne Frank Educational Trust and others will be mounted in Leigh Library during BOB DOBSON late January and early Publisher and Book Dealer February. Everyone is encouraged to come to one or LANCASHIRE more of the above commemorations. If you can, please make every effort to attend. For more YORKSHIRE & CHESHIRE information about Holocaust Memorial Day contact Alastair Gillies, Heritage Services I buy, sell and search for second-hand Manager on 01942 488468 or visit the website books relating to these counties: I search www.holocaustmemorialday.gov.uk. for books: I issue lists. I buy quantities of other books.

LIST OF MY NEW PUBLICATIONS ON REQUEST

BOB DOBSON “Acorns” 3 STAINING RISE STAINING BLACKPOOL FY3 0BU Tel: (01253) 895678

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Lance Todd: Memories of a Rugby League Legend

THE people of Wigan were business as a tailor in the firm of shocked on 14 November 1942 Todd and Gibbons; later he to learn that Lance Todd, a managed the Silver Grid in King popular Wigan Rugby player, a Street and the Ship Hotel in successful manager and an Millgate. In 1928 he was appointed outstanding broadcaster on secretary/ manager of the Salford the game, had been killed in a Rugby League Club where he car accident in Hollinwood signed many young players who near Oldham. The car had later became famous. Under his crashed into an electric tram management, Salford won every standard; Todd and another possible honour and became one of passenger were killed the leading clubs in the league. instantly. Todd married a Wigan girl, Miss Samuels, whose father was the Wigan Record licensee of the Crofters Arms Hotel, Wigan and had been a well-known Lancelot Beaumont Todd was rugby player and a famous sprinter born at Otuhuha, Auckland, New in his time. Zealand, in 1883. As a boy he renowned three-quarters line up of played scrum half and made first Leytham, Jenkins, Todd and Miller. Lapse of Concentration grade rugby in 1905. He In that season, he scored 23 tries. represented Auckland in the His record for Wigan was to be 128 At the inquest into Todd’s death, Australian tour in 1906. In the tries and six goals in six seasons. a verdict of 'Accidental Death' was 1906-07 season, he accepted an recorded. The coroner said that as invitation to tour Great Britain with War Record there were no skid marks on the A H Baskerville's New Zealand road and no other vehicle had been team. At the end of the visit, during He played many brilliant games involved, he could only suggest which Todd scored eight tries, he for Wigan and won every honour there had been a momentary lapse was approached by Mr George with the exception of the Northern of concentration. Rugby players Taylor, Wigan's secretary and Mr Union Cup medal. In January 1914, who were colleagues of Todd's 30 James Henderson, a committee there was uproar when Todd years before and officials of the member, and signed for Wigan. transferred to Dewsbury, despite Wigan Club were present at the His first match was against the first ever special meeting, held Wigan Cemetery, where interment Oldham on 14 February 1908. in the Cooperative Hall in Dorning took place in a family vault of Mrs 'Toddy', as he was known in Wigan, Street which closed with no tangible Todd's forebears. As the cortege although only 5ft 7ins tall and resolution being put forward. passed, a detachment of Wigan's weighing only ten stone, was an However, the Yorkshire Club did not Home Guard, in which Todd was a ideal centre three-quarter, and have his services for very long, for captain, presented arms. The coffin quickly established himself in when World War I broke out in the was draped with a Union Jack and popular favour at Central Park. The August of that year, Todd joined the the bearers were members of the following season was the best that ANZAC forces, served overseas, Home Guard. the club had ever had and Wigan attained commissioned rank and * * * * * topped the league, winning 28 out was mentioned in dispatches. The Rugby League world of their 32 games. They beat ensured that Lance Todd's fame Oldham in the final of the After the War would live on by naming the Lancashire Cup and reached the Challenge Cup 'Man of the Match' final of the Northern Union Cup After the war, he became the full trophy after him in 1946. (now the Rugby League Challenge time secretary for the North Shore James Fairhurst Cup). Todd became a member of the Golf Club in Blackpool, and was in Ashton In Makerfield 25

An Apple for the Teacher IT WAS the hottest a coal fire surrounded by a when the new school the wall, singing day of the year – 9 huge fireguard on which opened. How modern it “Nebuchadnezzar, the August 2003. I had wet gloves and mittens was, with light, airy class- King of the Jews, bought awoken from a steamed gently on winter rooms, and child-size his wife a pair of shoes”, or afternoons. In the indoor flush toilets – pink skipped in a rope being strange, vivid dream schoolyard stood two rows for girls and blue for boys. twirled by two girls of childhood to the of smelly toilets, the seat of Best of all, behind the singing, “Queen, Queen reality of my son’s each one consisting of infants playground was the Caroline washed her hair wedding day, and as I simply a board with a hole Wagon Works where my in turpentine”. We played stood in the cool in it. Mrs Sandiford and dad worked, and he would “The Farmer Wants a haven of a lovely old Miss Ashurst presided often wave to me at play- Wife” and “What Time is it London church, it was over the “Babies” and they time. Every child had a Mr Wolf?”. You could hard to shake off the used to read Milly-Molly- small bottle of milk to always hear young voices past. Mandy stories to us just drink each morning, the somewhere, chanting the before home time, which milk-monitor having age-old rhymes – we were Images of my own was at 4 o’clock then. removed the foil top with a allowed to be children in wedding day, together with little gadget shaped like a those days. thoughts of my parents flying saucer. Do you and my childhood home, Road safety talks remember buying “Nitty Nora, t’bug drifted in and out of my ‘Cheesettes’ from the bis- senses. It was a day for Sometimes, “Bobby explorer” cuit-monitor? She counted dreams, and as we sang Beacon” came to give us them directly from her At the end of playtime, the majestic ‘Jerusalem’, road safety talks. He was hand into ours from a big the teacher blew the I’m sure that every a big, kindly policeman, box, (no one bothered whistle, and we formed member of “our side” of with black hair and rosy about plastic gloves in ‘lines’ before leading into the congregation sent a cheeks, and he would hang those days). If I had 3d., I school, hoping “Nitty Nora, thought winging 200 miles a sheet over the would buy 24, and wolf the t’bug explorer” wasn’t through the sunlit blackboard, depicting a lot – (oh, happy days! – I waiting to examine our afternoon to the “dark road scene. To this he only have to walk past a hair for unwanted guests! satanic mills” of our native attached a character called Cheesette now and I put The teacher heard every Lancashire. Earlier in the “Little Tommy”, 2lbs on!). child read from their “Janet year, Beccy’s parents, on demonstrating what would Outside in the play- and John” book daily, and their first visit to Wigan, happen if careless Tommy ground, little Ince lads in arithmetic (which we had enjoyed a lesson in didn’t follow the kerb drill! miraculously turned into called sums), we chanted Wigan Pier’s Victorian During lessons we sat Wild West cowboys and our times-tables in a sing- school room, where they round a table, in the Indians, whilst girls linked song: “One two is two, two had to sing ‘All Things middle of which stood a arms and walked round two’s are four”. It Bright and Beautiful’ sturdy cardboard ‘Tidy chanting “who’s playin’ wouldn’t be considered the under the stern eye of the Box’, which housed our skilly?”, whereupon other correct way to learn these schoolmarm. pencils and crayons. girls joined the link until days, but it certainly stuck! As a reminder of their Sometimes we played with there were enough to war- On a cupboard in the visit, that lovely, childlike clay on little boards – I can rant a game. Next day, infants’ corridor stood a hymn was also chosen for still feel the clammy someone might bring a pottery rabbit which held a the wedding, and as we coldness of it – and sheet of ‘transfers’ to strange fascination for me sang, my thoughts sometimes we made school. These were little – oh, how I loved him! One travelled once more – not pictures with Fuzzy Felts, stamp-sized pictures of, day, I spotted an identical across the miles this time, or played in the sand tray. perhaps, a Union Jack, a one on Baileys Pot stool in but across the years to the That first Christmas, I boat or a doll. We stuck Wigan Market Hall, which Babies class at Ince Central made a spill-holder them face-down on our remained there all through school, where I first sang complete with paper ‘spills’ arms by licking the back- my school days. When I it. The school was in the for my dad to light his pipe ing paper, which we care- started work, I bought him old building then, as the with, but I got measles fully peeled off after a few with my first week’s present school was still and Miss Ashurst minutes, leaving the pic- wages. He had been there being built. We had to take delivered it to our house. I ture behind like a tattoo. for so long that I can recall 3d. every week to pay for a can remember my family As the contents of our the assistant shouting to brick, our payments being crowding to the door to see classroom nature-table her colleague, “Ey, entered onto a little pick “our Irene’s teacher”, as changed with the seasons, somebody’s buyin’ card – do any Ince readers she walked away – such so did the games we t’rabbit!” He is looking remember that? My was the awe in which played. There was a craze down at me from my memories of the old school teachers were held in those for hula-hoops, and we kitchen shelf as I write, are naturally hazy, but I days! played ‘two-ball’ against can see high windows, and Then came the day ¶ 26

and the little girl who loved teacher took us outside to returning! Even the top and it’s CRACKERJACK!” him loves him still. listen to a story. How we class would still have ‘story from our black and white enjoyed such diversions time’ in the afternoon, and television, but today I “Real writing” from the usual time table, playtime, (which would would stare unseeingly at and we sat on the grass now become ‘break’ at the the screen…. Oh, I didn’t How nervous we all making daisy-chains as the grammar school). In the want to go! were when the time came bees droned in the clover Babies class, a new But I went (and to move across to the jun- flowers, (which we called generation of children survived!), and now school iors school! The top class ‘sucky-bobs’), and the would play in the sand- days are far behind me, seemed like adults, and we distant playground tray, and would see my and their sights and dreaded the ‘nowty’ teach- shimmered in the heat. little rabbit every day. sounds are long gone from ers we had heard about. It The actual story probably It is hard to put into our streets – the paper lads was here that girls where went in one ear and out the words, the overwhelming whistle and his cry of taught to knit and I can other, but the memory of isolation and dread that I ‘Chronicle!’, a game of remember the simple bon- those golden afternoons felt, but I can feel it yet…. A marbles on the cobbles, the net I made. We learned to remains as clear as a bell. sudden jangle of keys her- clip-clop of the rag-bone do joined up writing - “real alded the arrival of the man’s horse and children’s writing” we called it – and I Eleven-plus exam caretaker and the spell was shrill voices echoing down suspect we were the last broken. I turned and ran, some back entry: “Oh the generation to use the old Eventually, we reached only vaguely aware of big ship sails up the alley- scratch-pens, which we the top class, were we sat every day sounds: the alley-o”….. they exist only dipped into a porcelain ink- the eleven-plus exam – chant of the skipping- in memory now, but once, well in the desktop. My “t’scholarship” – which rhyme: “On the mountain on a sad summers day long friend Christine and I used marked the end of our pri- stands a lady, who she is I ago they were all around to buy shilling fountain mary school days. I do not know”, a snatch of me – real and vibrant and pens from Tommy Enty’s remember the day the letter television from an open alive. But my eyes were (Entwistle’s) shop on Ince came to say I had passed doorway: “You’ll wonder blind to them and my ears Bar, but they always leaked for the grammar school, where the yellow went closed to everything but the within a few days. Our along with two boys – oh, if when you brush your teeth poignant clang of the exercise books came in dif- only another girl had with Pepsodent”. I would school gate as it closed ferent colours – blue, say passed! I was a very shy be home in time to hear behind me for the last time. for English, red for sums child who found it hard to Leslie Crowther announce, Irene Roberts and so on. Do you remem- mix, and the thought of “It’s Friday, it’s five to five Abram Nr Wigan ber the ones with shiny going alone to a new school covers which had conver- terrified me to such an sion tables on the backs? extent that I decided to go Girls from Ince Central School Ounces into pounds, inches to Rose Bridge Secondary I took this photograph on our last Sports Day in into feet, and strange Modern with my friends. summer 1964, just before we left Junior School. The measurements like quarts However, my teacher talked girls are: Back Row (L to R): Valerie Hayes, Barbara and bushels and furlongs. to me about the chance I Bates, Susan Walsh, Freda Ramsdale, Susan Grundy, I had (and still have) a was throwing away, and I Lynda Gaskell. Front Row (L to R): Pat Lowe, Karina passion for stationery, and was made to understand Lowe, Pat Orrell, Shelia Shawcross, Jean Miller. The I would spend hours in that a grant was available building in the centre background was Smith’s Dairy in Starr’s or Wilding’s on for the uniform, which I Belle Green Lane - a well-known but long-demolished Wallgate, buying daft was aware my parents Ince landmark. things like telephone memo couldn’t afford. Very reluc- pads, when nobody I knew tantly, I resigned myself to possessed a telephone, or becoming a pupil of packets of gold stars like Hindley and Abram the ones the teacher stuck Grammar School come into our books for good September, but I felt like an work. Sometimes, we outcast from my class from listened to ‘Radio that day onwards. Broadcasts for Schools’, via On the last afternoon, a mesh fronted wooden desks were emptied, speaker on the classroom inkwells washed and wall and, once a term, we cupboards tidied. Then the had a film show, in teacher called for “Hands exciting, giggle-inducing together and eyes closed” semi-darkness on Friday for our final prayers before afternoon. Games lesson the whole school whooped usually meant ‘rounders’ and yelled its way out into on the school field, where the sunshine, free for five we wore team bands in red, whole weeks. I hung back yellow, blue or green. For a alone, by the railings. How treat, if it was very hot, the I envied those who were 27

‘Very nearly an armful’

THIS immortal phrase, penned by was Francis Annan. When a blood rather than being transported to scriptwriters Galton and Simpson, transfusion was deemed necessary, a Leigh Infirmary. was spoken by Tony Hancock in the request was telephoned to the Fire 1961 programme, ‘The Blood Donor’, Station and an ambulance was sent 40,000 Donors from the long-running series called at once for the donor, who was ‘Hancock's Half Hour'. conveyed to the hospital. During its In 1952, some of the original 25 By the time of the broadcast, the first year of operation, six calls were donors were still on the register. In Blood Transfusion Service was made for donors. The first appeal had this final year blood contributions already well-established. Donors been made in June 1934, when a Mr. included 112 bottles from Sutcliffe, generally attended a local centre T.A. Bigland was the volunteer donor. Speakman and Co., as well as 95 voluntarily to give blood, which was A Mr. Middlehurst, another bottles from Mather Lane Spinning then stored in blood banks for later volunteer, had twice given blood, Company. There was due to be a transfusion to people in need. As both times at Manchester, as he was presentation of bronze badges to five early as the 17th century, blood on both the Manchester and Leigh qualifying donors, but unfortunately, transfusions had taken place on panels. the said badges did not arrive in time animals only, but it was only in the Financed help towards the cost of for the ceremony. Those eligible for 20th century that it became possible the service was provided by the badges included; to undertake it on humans. This was subscription from Leigh Rotary Club, Mr. K. Brooks, Holden Road, made possible by the discovery of the Leigh Corporation, and Lancashire Leigh. four main blood groups (A,B,AB,and Council. Rev. C. Crawshaw, St. Peter's 0) in 1900; the leading Viennese Vicarage, Leigh. doctor, Karl Landsteiner, made the The End Mr. R. Ellis, Plank Lane, Leigh. breakthrough in identification. Mr. G. Gatley, Canal Bank House, Further new developments occurred After 17 years, Leigh and District Leigh. during World War I when there was a Blood Transfusion Service voted for Miss V. Powell, Newton Road, need to relieve pressure on those its own extinction in April 1952. It Leigh. attempting to save lives. It was felt that, in view of formation of the At the conclusion of the meeting, discovered during this period that National Health Service in 1948, and Mr. B.K.Barker, Regional Organizer blood could be prevented from the establishment of a Regional of the service, estimated that from its clotting once it had been removed Transfusion Service based in small beginning the service had from the body if it was mixed with Manchester, which supplemented increased to 40,000 recorded donors, sodium citrate. Also, it was local supplies, its usefulness had with running costs totalling £65,000. ascertained that blood could last come to an end. A further change in It was estimated that an average one longer once it had been refrigerated. practice had enabled donors to attend pint of blood was required every four By 1921, members of the British Red local centres where a mobile team of hours. Cross decided to give blood at Kings specialists from the Regional Tony Ashcroft College Hospital, in London, thus Transfusion Service were on hand, Local History Officer (Leigh) establishing the first voluntary Blood Donor Service.

Leigh Blood Transfusion Service

Locally, a Leigh and District Blood Transfusion Service was inaugurated in December 1933, and formed in February 1934. It was set up to be a self-contained organization to serve Leigh Infirmary. A meeting to establish the service had taken place in the Mayor's Parlour, Leigh Town Hall, convened by the then Mayor, Cllr. William Rowland Boydell J.P. at the instigation of Leigh Rotary Club. During the first year of the new service, 25 volunteers (all male), were ready to donate their blood. They had been accepted as donors after they had been examined medically, and their blood categorized into the relevant groupings. A rare photograph of the mobile Blood Transfusion Service in operation. Full particulars were kept at Leigh In May 1953, as part of their work, they visited Astley Green Colliery Fire Station, where the Chief Officer where they can be seen taking samples of blood from donors. 28

Percy Leslie Moxey Wigan (& Llanelli)

PERCY MOXEY was born in the club, which at the time was a very a policemen/fireman on the city Welsh valleys in 1915, just as the powerful outfit - they had just won force. His brother was a senior fire horrors of World War I were the Lancashire Cup - and had two of officer at Yarmouth and this may beginning to impact onto the lives of the best prop forwards in the game. well have influenced him to move everyday folks and families, such as George Banks was a ‘tough as teak’ south. During the early years of the his mother Lily and father William. Yorkshireman whom the club had war it was not uncommon for Moxey Like all such youngsters growing up signed from the struggling and soon to find himself doing an eight hour in the valleys, their sporting heroes to be extinct London club, Streatham shift on the beat as a bobby, only to were rugby players, not footballers. and Mitcham; he would go on to play return to the station house and be on So young Percy was no different and call as a fireman. he gravitated to the famous ‘Scarlets’ But he was equally keen to do his of Llanelli where, as a powerfully bit in the war, feeling that whilst his built youngster, he was ideally work as a policeman and a fireman proportioned for the rigours of the was worthwhile, there was a war on rugby union scrum. He was a prop, a and he should be fighting the work horse! Germans rather than crime and fires Moxey could truly be named the in Norwich. So it was that, in 1941, ‘nearly man’ of rugby. True he did he successfully joined the RAF as a make the first team at Strady Park volunteer reserve. His rugby career and impressed with his at Wigan was firmly on the back scrummaging power along with his burner, although the war at least footballing ability. He must have brought him some representative impressed people outside Llanelli honours in the game, if only via the also, for in the 1935-36 season at services. Between 1940 and 1942 he the tender age of 20 he was selected represented the RAF in the inter- to play in the trial games for the services matches which had been Welsh National Team, though he organised to boost morale. On failed to gain selection for his enlisting for active service he was country. The following two years it assigned to Bomber Command, and was a similar story - selection for the moved to Upper Hayford where he trial matches but no caps. He must joined 16 Operational Training Unit have felt that he was always going to as a pilot officer. There he trained as be the bridesmaid, never the bride. a navigation officer with a view to eventually joining a squadron on Code switch active service over Germany. Sadly, however, like his sporting career, fate Other eyes, however, were also 246 times for Wigan. On the other was to take a hand and ensure he watching the ever maturing young side of the front row was Ken Gee, a remained a ‘nearly man’. Moxey, and they were not from local player destined to become a within the ranks of the Rugby Union. legend in the game, winning every Ill-fated flight Rugby League scouts from up north honour and playing a staggering 559 had been alerted to this strong times for the club. It was formidable At this time the RAF needed all running, powerfully built young opposition that confronted Moxey at the men it could get, and Moxey’s front row forward. They had also Central Park. flight crew were on night flying noted that he had been unable to duties prior to being assigned to an force his way into the national team. War looms operational squadron. On the The scouts knew such evening of Thursday 6 August 1942, disappointments made a player more But not only was Moxey going to Pilot Officer Maura and his crew willing to listen to the offers made by struggle to make the team, let alone were briefed on the night exercise Rugby League clubs, and especially make any sort of mark - as his first they were about to undertake. when that club was the world season drew to a close, the threat of Maura’s navigation officer was Percy famous Wigan. war with Germany was looming ever Moxey. Briefing over, the crew went And so it was that in 1938, larger. This was to curtail his career. to eat and prepare for the night’s following his latest disappointment As war broke out, Moxey found ‘sortie’. By 10pm the crew were at not gaining his first cap, Moxey himself moving from Wigan to aboard Wellington bomber IC R1075, went north. He signed for the Wigan Norwich where he was employed as Continued on page 30 29

and Maura lost control; the aircraft off course and stray into the air crashed at Erdrington, east of defences of major cities. Given that Percy Leslie Birmingham. The pilot and two such cities were subjected to the others managed to bail out of the blackout restrictions, once over them Moxey aircraft as it twisted and spun out of pilots and navigators would have no Wigan (& Llanelli) control, and survived; but the other idea where they were. Moxey’s three crew members did not. aircraft suffered the same fate as ––––– According to a former colleague, many before had done, and many Continued from page 29 Moxey, once it became apparent that after him would also. the aircraft was in difficulty, began to completing the final checks prior to assist the crew members to get out. ***** take off. It was to be a simple He himself did actually manage to Pilot Officer Percy Leslie Moxey’s training operation, flying at night in bail out, but sadly he had left it too body was returned to Great preparation for the real thing, when late; his body hit the ground before Yarmouth and buried at Gorleston they would be flying over Germany his parachute could open. cemetery (ref: Sec. U. Grave 121). rather than the English countryside. Accidents such as this tended to Once more he was the ‘nearly man’. At 10.07. the Wellington flew off be kept quiet so as not to affect the He never made it into the war, just as into the gathering darkness of the morale of the population, and were he never made it into the Welsh summer night. For the first three not as uncommon as one might National Rugby Union team or hours the flight went according to think. Young inexperienced aircrews Wigan Rugby League team! So often plan; but just after 1.00am Moxey’s needed to be trained. This training - he was almost there, but sadly, this aircraft strayed from its designated preparation for night ‘sorties’ over time the stakes were considerably navigational flight path and Germany - was usually done over higher. Moxey never got to fulfil yet unwittingly entered the Birmingham towns as well as the countryside. another ambition - to fight the City Barrage Balloon defences. At Occasionally inexperienced Germans – and paid with his life. 1.32am it clipped a tethering cable navigators under training would veer Tom Mather THE BALLAD OF BILLINGE HILL Some talk of Himalaya, Everest and K2 Though the aspect east and north, bound by the Pennine's frame But there's a hill from which, when young, I marvelled at the view Could not be termed idyllic but an area steeped in fame No need for clumsy ice boots or such impediments A plethora of industrial hives as far as the eye could see Just light array to keep at bay, climatic elements The legacy of an apiary, when ENGLAND was Queen Bee

The journey to the summit, betrayed the eventual prize Changing now the picture as I turned my gaze due West A legacy of human greed and so-called enterprise There lay a carpet stretched beyond, humanity's behest. Torn from nature's timeless grip, vast tracts of stone had found Sixteen counties I was told, was the scope of human vision A niche in architectural whim, in a totally alien ground. Were visible from that very point, without change of position

On that site of dereliction ugly items took the eye The backdrop now is the western sky, dipping into a silvery sea Here and there, lay rusting hulks, like bodies left to die. Lapping the coast from Cumbria's fells, to the Isle of Anglesey Abandoned by their masters with higher things in mind On spotting Blackpool Tower, there goes a childish dream Such indifference ruled the day, ne'er thought to be unkind. Of endless sands and donkey rides, candy floss, ice cream

Thankfully, there still remained, true signs of nature wild Turning back the centuries, such pleasures were unknown Large tracts of landscape to the west lay mostly undefiled Save for the sweetest victory, England has ever known. Reaching heavenwards to the base of that haunting bower of When Billinge played a vital role, relaying Drake's command stone Not by E mail, telephone or the swiftness of scout's hand Devoid of windows opening door, just the edifice alone But by a beacon system, from the days when time began Oft I shuffled round its plinth, each facet to explore Messages by fire from hills, relayed from man to man The carvings deep in weathered stone by those who'd gone before In that very thought alone, Billinge may take a bow Some depicting hallmarks of the true stone mason's art Frustrating Spain's Armada's dream, condemned in history now while others in their crudity, vowing feelings from the heart. But the scene of which I eulogise, is but a jewel in my dreams But that was not the purpose of the effort I'd donated No doubt today quite vandalized, by man's ambitious schemes Like Defoe's hero I now surveyed, a vision that God created And so until my judgment day, I hope God in his will Reducing Man's temporal boast, to the limits of derision. Has kept a place where I can see, THOSE VIEWS FROM BILLINGE Only He within six days could create such glorious vision. HILL J.Harold Smith On a clear day when the sky above, was painted azure blue Sutton Coalfield West Midlands Perhaps a woolly cloud therein, drifting lazily through G.P.O. BEWARE! I could only stand and marvel at that map, spread in relief Transmission by the beacon system was capable of covering a The memory of that spectacle, still a thought beyond belief distance of 60 miles in 11 minutes. 30

Womans Worth Three

LAST year, I wrote in other hand, is quite these pages about the sloppy, with more than early 17th century a few words scribbled treatise ‘Womans out and other words Worth: or a treatise inserted. It was proveing by sundrie evidently copied very reasons that Woemen quickly. doe excell men’ that The discovery of had been discovered this third manuscript by Alan Davies in the version of ‘Woman’s Wigan Borough Worth’ is very Archives in 2002. I am exciting, but it delays working on an edition publication of the of that work to be book. I must now published by the integrate all the BL Medieval and variants into the text, Renaissance Text as I have already done Society, the first time Omnium Animarum,” was copied). the Bodleian variants. the treatise will appear ie “The name of the None of this helps The bonus is that I in print. In last year’s author (of All Soul’s solve many of the have yet one more article, I reported that College) is shown by puzzles surrounding source for checking a second manuscript of every page”–a pun on the Wigan ‘Woman’s confusing or unclear the tract had turned up the name Page. In Worth’ – when it was words or phrases, and in the Bodleian addition, the scribe has copied and by whom, the final book will be Library, where it was written at the bottom: or who was the better for it. I look attributed to William original owner. The forward to the day in Page (1590-1664), OXFORD Wigan manuscript’s the near future when I fellow of All Soul’s Imprinted as yet scribe has taken more return to Leigh and College, Oxford. I never, care with that version present Alan Davies wasn’t sure then onely a M-S in the than any of the other and the Archives with whether that Library copyists, rubricating a copy of ‘Womans attribution was correct of that famous uni (ie writing in red ink) Worth’, finally in print or not. versity the names of the over 450 years after it I had hoped that the 1638 famous and holy was first written. book would be in press women mentioned by now, but during a So the British there. The BL Prof. Kari McBride research trip to the Library version con- manuscript, on the Arizona USA British Library in firms the existence of London last year, I the Bodleian Womans "… acquire your own piece of history …" discovered yet a third Worth’ – indeed, the version of the book. BL version seems to Heritage Estates UK Information on that have been copied from title page affirms the Bodleian version. The perfect gift for any occasion William Page’s And our earlier for anyone with an interest authorship of the tract guesses about the date and makes it all but of Womans Worth is in Wigan confirmed by a date of certain that he did, www.heritage-estatesuk.com indeed, write ‘Womans 1638 (though it Worth’. An epigraph remains unclear Tel: 00 44 1942 770202 on the title page reads, whether the date l638 Fax: 00 44 1942 770205 refers to the date of the E-mail: [email protected] “Authoris nomen Contact: Richard Weston pagina qu[a]eq[ue] tract’s composition or Heritage Estates UK, Caroline Street, Wigan, Lancashire, England, WN3 4EL probat / collegiae the date the BL version 31

Wartime Blitz on Atherton

In 1941 Atherton, 12 miles of a visit by our MP, Mr. Tinker, from Manchester on the Dear Sir that the actual bomb hole was railway line to Liverpool, was Please find enclosed my personal large enough to hold ten double- an industrial town producing account of the Wartime Blitz on decker buses. coal, iron, steel and cotton. 7 Atherton, 7 May 1941. I had just Fellow members of my section May 2004 was the 63rd turned 18 at the time; I am now 81 of the Home Guard helped to anniversary of the town’s and retired for 20 years. I still have clear the debris from the road to devastation by a German air family connections in Wigan. While I the farmyard. Within a few attack, part of the wartime was living at Red Rock I met Marjorie weeks we had erected temporary Blitz. Hundreds of homes and Stringfellow who was working for the buildings to house cattle for the places of work were severely Wigan Treasurer’s Dept; her family retail milk round, which was damaged or destroyed. During owned the well-known coach and delivered by a Morris Minor and trailer. For several weeks the car that first week of May and removal firm of the time. We married was minus a windscreen. Dentist beyond, Manchester and in April 1947 and had a great part- J Wynn, Dr Kathleen Hanby, and Liverpool and the docks area nership lasting 55 years. were turned to rubble by police detective W Bolton all lost James Speakman continual bombing. Thousands their cars; the Cleggs' car and Abergele Conwy of people were killed and egg trucks were destroyed and thousands wounded over this all these people also lost their period. The two cities were but eventually rebuilt, and he homes. In the last week of May close to ruins. and his wife were able to return 1942 my family moved to a new My family and I were living at home. But the house at Cox's home - Waterworks Farm, Red Cox's Farm in Atherton, which Farm was completely destroyed. Rock, Worthington near Wigan, had been our home for four My parents and I survived by on the Haigh Estate of the Earl generations. On the night of 7 taking refuge in the cellar but we of Crawford and Balcarres. May the house was completely were covered with debris. My Throughout all this, one thing obliterated by a land mine. Our sister was blown the full length particularly sticks in my mind - a herd of cattle and three Shire of the hall and also survived, hen turkey, sitting in the corner horses were killed, along with though badly shaken. My of the barn which had been the Air Raid Warden, Arthur parents were evacuated to Park completely demolished around Shaw, Firewatch Mr Grundy and End Farm and I spent the her, unharmed, along with the a third person whose name I summer sleeping in the air-raid large clutch of eggs she was don't remember. Many others shelter. It was quoted at the time protecting. were severely injured, among them a young man of 17 whose face was badly scarred by flying glass. Happily,the surgeons at Bolton Infirmary were able to save his sight; his name was Jack Edge, and after the war he managed Stirlings furniture shop in Leigh. Also among those seriously injured was the Reverend Glyn Evans, the Unitarian Minister. Surgeons at Leigh Infirmary wanted to amputate his legs but he refused to have the operation; in time he recovered and was able to walk with the aid of a Cox’s Farm House, Atherton, summer 1912. The home of the Speakman stick. His home, Harrison family for four generations, it was destroyed by a German land mine on 7 Parsonage, which was next-door May 1941. The young man is Herbert Edge, father of Jack Edge, born to Cox's Farm, was devastated May 1923. 32

Memories of the old ‘Top Place’ ironworks

THESE are some of my memories of was a young girl, she saw the tip which lay to the south of the works, the works from almost 80 years ago starting to grow; it started in a hollow far enough away to be safe when it (I am in my 85th year now). My very where a farm house was and saw the fell; when it came down I witnessed first memory is sitting with Hubert sometimes cooled lumps of slag the scramble for the lightning con- Bradshaw, who was in his early crushing the house walls. In the ductor tip which I believe was made teens, waiting to give my father who daytime it was possible to watch the from a precious metal, platinum. I worked on the steel furnaces his bogy being pushed to the top of the don't think they ever found it. lunch. We were sitting on a form 200 foot tip; the driver must have From then the area became behind the wooden shed that was had nerves of steel being so close to derelict. Ernest bought the shed I had attached to the works offices, only the edge. The method was to lock the sheltered behind and made it into a about 30 or 40 yards from the base bogy wheels and the engine pulled a green house. Coming home from the of the biggest chimney in England, tipping rod to get the slag to tumble RAF I took a job on the steelworks 520 feet tall. As we sat there a huge out; sometimes several tugs were site, now a cotton storage depot run shower of sparks came raining down needed to get the partially cooled slag by Mason's of Bolton. Nothing was from somewhere at the front of the out. It was just as spectacular in ever done with the site, however, and shed; it was so big that we got under daytime as at night; in fact, looking for the next 20 or 30 years it was a our bench for shelter, and my father up at what seemed a tiny model waste ground. Living in Kirkless Hall came running to see if we were safe. engine running along the edge of the within close view of the site, I heard tip 200 feet in the air could be rumours from old hands who had ‘Jack Shine, Whistle or fascinating! worked at the steel works before Shout’ World War I that nickel bars were Built on rock stacked alongside the railway on the The next encounter with the ‘Top site, but had sank into the ground Place’ which I remember was a few A major shareholder in the Wigan and were never recovered; also that years on when, at the age of nine, I Coal and Iron Company, who owned the blast furnaces were used to play with the rest of the boys ‘Top Place’, was The Earl of Crawford counterbalanced with hundreds of and girls at a game called ‘Jack Shine, & Balcarres who, in a fit of pique, tons of lead. Whistle, or Shout’, a glorified hide sold his shares to a rival company, and seek but ranging over a mile the Lancashire Steel Corporation's Zeppelins over Wigan square of woodlands, fields, a Irlam steel works. This caused the partially used railway line and a end of steel making in Wigan on a Many times I have walked to Belle brook. Standing towering above our large scale, as everything that would Green Lane from Kirkless Hall - play area was the slag tip where move was taken to the Irlam site. through the old workings when they molten slag was tipped down from a Many years later the derelict site was were in full swing as a boy and height of about 200 feet; we needed a handed over to a Bolton firm who through the desolated site in my teen dark night to play the game, so the used it to store bales of cotton. years until I was 27 years old, then gang split into two teams and a piece Around 1950 my brother Ernest, who past large stacks of cotton in the late of slate was spit on one side and lived at Kirkless Hall and had ‘40's. But in my mind’s eye I can see thrown into the air. "Wet or Dry” was originally worked at ‘Top Place’ then the blast furnaces almost along side shouted and the team that chose the at Irlam, was told by some of the the Leeds and Liverpool canal, correct side showing as it reached the former management that they throwing their glow to the night sky - ground moved off to hide; thus the regretted not bringing the Irlam in World War I the blast furnaces shout "Jack Shine, Whistle or Shout” works to ‘Top Place’; this seemed throwing their light suddenly to a - you had to do any of those things logical, as ‘Top Place’ was built on a dark night sky may well have when shouted to do so. However, rock foundation and Irlam on sand interrupted bombing by Zeppelins many of the most exciting games and water. over Wigan - and the clank of steam were stopped when a bogy of slag engines shunting wagons about. was tipped down the 200 foot slope; Big chimney comes down Looking back, these works could still invariably it would burst on its way have been in full swing today but for down and, the inside being molten, it When production of steel finally selfishness of the ‘get rich would light the sky and area as came to an end in the early ‘30's, quick’class; and where could you find bright as a full moon, making it there were several chimneys to be a site with a waterway along side, impossible to hide. felled around the site, but the big railways all around, and built on rock I lived in Gidlow House then with chimney, over 520 feet tall, was left to to help make the best steel? my Aunt, Mrs Hesketh and her last. When it fell, around 1935-36, I George Victor Wadeson family. She told me that, when she was standing on the lower slag tip Wigan 33

Developing Treasures SOMETIME ago I was given some old negatives to add to picture collection at Leigh, we were able to identify and the collection; however, with the amount of new material date nearly all of the new prints, and came to the coming in, these were left for a rainy day. Can you conclusion that the photographer probably had his own imagine my delight when such a day finally arrived and I studio and certainly supplied pictures to the local paper started to print them, only to discover reappearing in the and other local publications. Among the negatives were chemicals images of people and events around the some family pictures, and it may well be that some Atherton area from the I920's, which had not seen the readers will recognize the family or be able to tell us who light of day for over 70 years. The Editor of Past Forward the stringer for the local paper could have been. agreed that some of these should be shared with our Len Hudson readers. Senior Conservationist With the help of our Local History Officers and the Wigan Heritage Service

Studio portrait of an unknown Atherton Collieries Carnival & Gala Studio portrait of an unknown Atherton Soldier. Rose Queen 1927, Miss Alice Hewitt. Atherton family.

Atherton Collieries Carnival & Gala Float outside Atherton Collieries Carnival & Gala Rose Queen 1928, Atherton Central Station. Miss Mary Crudden.

Atherton nonconforrnist processions forming up, July 1930. Atherton Collieries Carnival & Gala, June 1927 34

Studio portrait of an unknown Atherton family. Studio portraits of three unknown Atherton girls.

SLT trolley bus at the inauguration of the Atherton- The interior of the newly opened St. Richards RC Ashton bus service, August 1930. church, Atherton, May 1928.

Howe Bridge Congregational Mission Bazaar, March Hesketh Fletcher school, Market Street, Atherton. 1928, with the Rev. D. Thomas in the picture.

First May procession leaving St. Richards church, Girl Guides forming up on High Street, Atherton, to seen on Cambridge Street. Leading the procession is march to Howe Bridge Spinning Co. sports ground for the banner to our Lady, followed by the Queen Miss the Divisional rally, May 1929. Evelyn Parks. May 1928. 35

The Workman Train I have recently been reminded of my the golf course into the woods; as we come the butties, a bit sandy and dry childhood days before World War II, came out of the woods there used to be but who cared. If we were lucky when a week’s holiday was beyond three houses, one of which was a Mother would go and get a penny our wildest dreams - a day out on the toffee shop, where we could choose to worth of chips, which always tasted school trip to Ainsdale beach was the spend our halfpenny, and walk home, good. Our Dad never used to stay with highlight of the school year. calling at Ince Park on the way back. us on the beach - when we were settled down he would go for a drink Outings to Gathurst Trip to Southport somewhere on his own. Then came the treat we had been waiting for - My Dad was out of work, as were But the highlight was our trip to down at the Peter Pan play ground many thousands more - they couldn’t Southport on the Workman train. If where, for a penny, you could go on all buy a job, as they used to say, for love you caught it before 8.00 am the fare the rides for as long as you wanted. or money. So our Mother, like a lot was cheaper. Our Dad used to come About three or four o’clock Dad would more at that time, had very little with us, even though he wasn’t very be back after he had something to eat, money to spend. But she always keen on the idea. We would walk to asking us if we were ready to go home. seemed to take the initiative to put the Wallgate Station, and once we had Of course we then had to make our spirit of adventure into our lives, and managed to board the train, we all way back to the station - I think there especially during our four weeks wanted a window seat to spot trains all was a time limit attached to the holiday from school in the summer. the way. Windows would be shut Workman’s ticket on the train you There were outings to Gathurst for firmly at Appley Bridge because of the caught back. We didn’t need much the day - a bus took us to Martland smell from the bone works. rocking to sleep that night after our Mill, and we walked down the canal Then finally we arrived in day out but we all used to ask when banks out into the field, to the small Southport, and walked straight down are we going again. fair ride and shop. We would call at to the beach and the tea café and Aunt Lily’s on the way back at Beech children’s playground (all gone now), Just to end, my Mother’s youngest Hill for a cup of tea, and then buckets and spades at the ready, to brother, Tommy Westhead, was quite sometimes walk back to Aunt make pies and castles and, of course, funny at times. He told us this story of Rebecca’s at Caunce Road in Scholes. knockthemhem down. Buckets of him and his mate, Billy Sherrington, Then it was back to Bird Street, water to put around the moat dried up going along to the station and asking for tired but happy. My mother loved to as fast as you put it in. two half-Workman tickets to Southport! take us out to Broad Acre wood. We Then one of us would go for a jug A E Smith would walk up Belle Green Lane past of tea from the café, and out would Winstanley Wigan

The news media of recent other hobby of motor cycling, weeks has contained more was killed in 1937 during than a few reminders of the Before we were enemies morning practice for the Whit days of World War II. But I At the time, I played drums German would be almost nil. Monday meeting, ironically, at wonder if any of our (much) in a four piece dance band, the The fact that Peter's presence Park Hall, Oswestry He was older readers, especially those pianist of which was baker's in our company was connected only 27. of Pemberton origin, have any son Harold Whittle from Sims with the occasional newspaper memories of the years leading Lane End with whom I became picture of a little man, sporting Incidentally, I did have up to those dark days and how very friendly. Though I was not a micro, black moustache and another brief encounter in many of them are able to link aware of the fact, Harold was permanently raised left arm Pemberton during the early any of their experiences to their also the pianist in an amateur never entered the equation! years of the war when I imminence? light orchestra in Haydock, The trip to the roller rink at enrolled at his terraced house under the baton of Mr. (Daddy) Liverpool was to include for a series of German lessons. Peter Steinbracher Forshaw. Imagine the pleasure Harold's showing off of the Both Mr and Mrs HeIlman of my surprise when one day, brilliance of the newly opened appeared to be a typical, late Though not a Pembertonian Harold announced that I was East Lancashire Road which middle aged English couple. It myself, I shall always treasure invited to accompany him and was navigated in hitherto never occurred to me at the the indelible, though brief the brilliant cellist, Peter unknown freedom of traffic time that the reason for their memory of my connection with Steinbracher, a recently joined interruption. When asked by presence in Pemberton was in a young German chap by the German member of the Harold what he thought of it, parallel with that of Peter name of Peter Steinbracher Forshaw orchestra, on an Peter, in fairly good English, Steinbracher's, until one day who, in the mid 1930's, came evening at a roller-skating rink replied, “’tis a loffly street" - Herr Hellman announced that to live in Pemberton to join, so in Liverpool, transport via some street, thought we. he and Frau Hellman were to I understood at the time, his Harold's father's family Austin Though I met Peter on a few join their son who, on leaving brother, already established in Ten saloon. more occasions, usually at Germany, had found a safe Pemberton as the owner (?) of The likelihood of anyone rehearsals in Haydock, destiny haven in U.S.A. a cycle cum radio shop, a fairly from Garswood, especially a decreed the parting of our ways J Harold Smith common combination in that teenager of questionable origin, and I never saw him again. Sutton Coldfield period. actually meeting up with a live Sadly, Harold, in pursuit of his West Midlands 36

Ashton-in-Makerfield Probus Club welcome. Details from Maurice Hilton Members of the Club are retired SOCIETY NEWS (01942 223107). business/professional people, who meet at the Angel Hotel, Ashton-in-Makerfield on the Skelmersdale & Upholland Family 1st Wednesday of every month at 11.00 To all Secretaries History Society a.m. New members welcome, details from Would Secretaries please note the Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of Alan Bradshaw (01942 726493) copy deadline on p2, and ensure that each month, except December, July and 5 January Open meeting you send in all details of your August, at 7.30 p.m., in the Hall Green 2 February TBA Community Centre, Upholland. Beginners 2 March The City of Bath meetings up to summer 2005 for and more experienced family historians 6 April “Hot and Cold” inclusion in the next issue. Thanks. welcome. Details from Simon Martin (01942 702594). Aspull & Haigh Historical Society Leigh & District Family History Society We meet in Our Lady’s R.C. Church Hall, Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of Standish Probus Club Haigh Road, Aspull on the 2nd Thursday in every month at 7.30 p.m. in the Derby Room Members are retired business and the month at 7.30 p.m. Details from of Leigh Library. Details from Olive Hughes professional people. Meetings, which are Barbara Rhodes (01942 222769) (01942 741594). open to both men and women, are held at ‘The Owls’, Rectory Lane, Standish on the Atherton Heritage Society Leigh Literary Society 2nd Tuesday of every month at 10.30 a.m. Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of Meetings are held in the Derby Room at the New members welcome. Details from the month at 7.30 p.m. at St. Richards Turnpike Centre, on alternate Monday Bryan Shepherd (01257 424994) Jubilee Hall, Atherton. Details from evenings at 7.30 p.m. Details from Tony 11 January Margaret Hodge (01942 884893) Ashcroft, Local History Officer, Leigh Library The Leeds & Liverpool Canal in the Wigan 14 December (01942 404559) Area Sue & Trevor Lucas The Brownings in Italy (plus Christmas 13 December 8 February buffet) Lizzie Jones “Everything in the Garden’s Lovely” Funeral Customs Tony Ashcroft 11 January Agatha Brown 8 March “Stand Up the Real John Hogan” 10 January An Evening with the ‘Mary Rose’ Dan Muir (Genealogist) Luxury Travel Anne Ongley Harry Eatough 8 February 17 January 12 April AGM On the Home Front Len Hudson Ladykillers Alan Hayhurst 8 March Northumberland Margaret Curry 31 January Tyldesley & District Historical Society 12 April History of the Music Hall David Hill Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of “Shades of the Past” Steve Abbott 14 February every month from September to May at the Ancient Iraq and its Civilization Tyldesley Pensioners club on Milk Street at Atherton Probus Club Rev Chris Byworth 7.30 p.m. Refreshments available. Contact This is a non-political and non-sectarian Club 28 February Tony Rydings (01942 514271) or for retired professional/businessmen, who Frances Hodgson Burnett Liz Williams [email protected]. Visit our website meet in St Richard Parish Centre, Mayfield 14 March at www.tyldesleyhistoricalsociety.co.uk. Street, on alternate Thursday afternoons at The Natural Heritage of the Pennines 1.30 p.m., from 30 September until May Gordon Yates Tyldesley Probus Club 2005. New members welcome. Details from 4 April Members of the Club meet at Tyldesley Ron Collier (0161 790 1819). Traditional Lancashire Recipes (plus AGM) Methodist Church, Eliot Street, on alternate Fred Holcroft Thursday mornings at 10.30 a.m., from 7 Billinge Local History Society October until May 2005. The Club is for For further details contact Jack Boardman, Leigh Local History Society retired business/professional mane and is 38 Garswood Road, Billinge, Wigan, WN5 Meetings are held in the Derby Room, Leigh non-political and non-sectarian. New 7TH, (01744 892613), or visit our web site Library, on the last Wednesday of the members welcome. Details from Cedric at www.billinge-history.com. month. Details from Norma Ackers (01942 Evans (0161 790 5166). 865488) Wigan Archaeological Society Golborne & Lowton Local History 26 January The Society meets at the BP Centre (Scout Society Roman and Turnpike Roads in SW HQ) in Greenhough Street on the 1st Meetings are held at Golborne Library on Lancashire Mike Atty Wednesday of the month at 7.30 p.m. the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7.00 p.m. 23 February Non-members are welcome. Details from Lord Leverhulme and Rivington Wigan Civic Trust Derek Briscoe (01942 747366) or Jim Martin Brownlow The Trust meets at Drumcroon Education Scotson (01942 206820). 30 March Arts Centre, Parsons Walk, Wigan, on the Building Barton’s Bridges Glen Atkinson 2nd Monday of the month at 7.30 p.m. Hindley History Society 27 April AGM and video Details from A.J. Grimshaw, 6 Bridgeman The Society meets in the Museum at Terrace, Wigan (01942 245777). New Hindley Library, market Street at 7.00 pm Leigh Probus Club members always welcome. on the second Monday of the month. Members of the Club, which is non- Details from Joan Topping (01942 257361) sectarian, are generally retired Wigan Family & Local History Society or Norma Brannagan (01942 258668). professional/businessmen. The Club Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of The museum is open three times per meets at the Leigh Masonic Hall on every month (except in July and August) in month on either Friday or Saturday alternate Thursday afternoons between the Springfield Hotel, Springfield Road, mornings; please ask in Hindley Library or October and April. Anyone wishing to join Wigan, at 7.30 p.m. for 8.00 p.m. The phone as above for further details. should contact Tom Kelly (01942 608787). meetings alternate between members’ The Museum has also been open three evenings and external speakers. Further times per month – two Friday mornings and Shevington Memories Group information from John Wogan, 678 one Saturday. Future dates are: 6, 20, 21 This small, informal group meets each Warrington Road, Goose Green, Wigan WN3 August; 10, 24, 25 September; 8,22, 23 Friday at 2.30 p.m. in Shevington 6XN or email [email protected]. October; 12, 26, 27 November; 3, 18, 19 Methodist Church (New Lounge), to share You can also visit our website at December. memories about old times. Anyone is www.ffhs.org.uk/members/wigan.htm. 37

More on the ‘Petty’ A tribute to all those gallant See Past Forward 37, p43. men and women who took part I was born in June 1922, in Bolton Road, Ashton-in- in the D-Day Invasion on the Makerfield which, like Wigan, was a mining town then. The house had a front room called a parlour used only for 6th June 1944 - 60 years ago special occasions, a living room and a little back kitchen used for washing clothes and cooking. Above these were What were their thoughts, two large bedrooms and a small bedroom. Lighting and Those gallant men. cooking was by gas, heating by an open coal fireplace As they left our English shore. with an oven next to it, and we washed ourselves in the Will I return to family and friends back kitchen in a bowl in the slop stone with only cold And meet them all once more? running water. At the bottom of the bricked yard was an oblong As they sailed across the channel outbuilding serving two houses. At each end was a toilet called the ‘petty’. The petty board had a round hole about Heads bowed in silent prayer 18 inches in diameter and underneath was a large can Did they wonder what their fate would be about a yard in diameter and a yard deep. In the ‘backs’ And what would face them there? as we called them, there was a wooden flap which was lifted whenever the can was removed with rakes and We at home could only sit and wait, replaced with an empty can suitably disinfected by And pray all would be well, sprinkled pink powder. And think of fathers - husbands - sons, The loaded can was placed on a horse-drawn vehicle Who faced that living hell. by the men we called the ‘muck miners’ and taken away to the sewage. I had heard of the can being taken away when people were on the ‘petty’ doing their business. Many never reached the land, Toilet paper was past copies of the Daily Dispatch cut into Lives ended there and then, squares and impaled on a nail in the petty wall. A person A foreign shore their resting place, leaving the house to avail themselves of the ‘petty's’ No homecoming welcome for them. facilities would say that they were "gooin' dahn t'yard", We must remember to, all those men and if lingering too long would be asked, "duss waant t' Who came from lands afar oil can?” To help us fight for freedom The intervening space between the two ‘petties’ was a And end this wicked war. midden into which was thrown the household rubbish. Periodically it was emptied by the midden men who had to spade the rubbish out on to the floor of the backs and And women to, they played their part load it again into a garbage vehicle. Bolton Road was an At home - on land and sea extremely long street and every terraced house was the The nurses, WAAFS and helpers same. Years later, a water toilet replaced the ‘petty’ which Who served endless cups of tea. we called a water closet and dustbins replaced the midden. For months men fought in battles None of the sources I have consulted can throw any To set the people free light on the meaning of the word ‘petty’ as in toilet. The And help those persecuted common dictionary meaning gives it as a Middle English Regain their dignity. word meaning ‘small’ as in ‘petty cash’. One can only deduce that it was adopted to mean ‘the smallest room in At last the war was over the house’. An interesting point is that when anyone dealing out cards to a school in a club dealt the cards in And peace returned once more an extremely small circle, it was called ‘a petty board We owe a debt we can never repay deal’. This was because youngsters, having nowhere to To the men who left these shores. play cards, would use the ‘petty’ for that purpose, gambling for money being illegal. Other information There are rows and rows of crosses suggests that the can contents were delivered to As a reminder for all to see neighbouring farms for use as manure. Also the ‘muck’ There lie the men who fought and died miners wore sacking around their waists to protect their In that land across the sea. clothing. Housewives who could not afford aprons did this, referring to the sacking as ‘rough brats’. Does war teach us any lessons? It was well into the '50’s before we saw the last of the Only time will tell ‘petty’. In 1954, requiring a reference, I called upon a town councillor, George Lockett, later a Mayor of Wigan, So to all those heroes in that foreign field for that purpose. He was living in a house off Bryn Road Goodbye - God Bless - Sleep well. and wrote out the necessary reference by the light of a storm lamp on his table, no other lighting being available. We who are left remember them. The houses were demolished shortly afterwards. James Fairhurst Rose Burns 2004 Ashton-in-Makerfield Wigan 38

No.4 Arley Pit behind. The LUT Bus had started back after Remember the JCS? dropping off 60 miners, hit the Dear Sir kerb, the driver lost control and In 1931-1932, Gladys the bus crashed through the Woodward (nee Farrimond) and lodge railings. Miner Fred Canning and others ran back, my friend Edith Green attended diving in to rescue unconscious the J.C.S. at the Mining College driver Harold Sydall from the in Wigan. Our headmaster was submerged cab. The Charles H.Kirton. Other Nook Colliery conductress had managed to members of the staff were:- Miss jump off." Witton (famous for her long beige Dear Sir It would be most interesting cardigans, from which she was I was interested in the letter to learn how the LUT garage never parted), Arthur Roberts, from Mr. Greenhalgh (Past staff managed to get the bus out ‘Flambard’ Mr Bradshaw, Mr Forward 37, p43) about the bus of the lodge and on to the road! in Nook Pit Lodge, Astley. This The Nook Colliery consisted Blears, Mr Gillibrand, Mr Parr happened in the 1950’s, and a of five pits, named ‘Arley’ and and Mr Smith. Gladys Farrimond photograph of the event ‘Jubilee’ respectively; the We also remember the boys in our class: - Albert Harris, appeared in the Leigh Journal at complex was served by North Maurice Haddock, and Ronald Pendlebury (famous because he the time; the same photo is also Coal Pit Lane and South Coal Pit always sat with only two legs of the chair on the floor, with in The Wigan Coalfield by Wigan Lane, both from Manchester occasional disasterous results), Harold Marsh, James Winstanley Heritage Service’s Alan Davies & Road, Astley and now shortened and Thomas Hanvey (choir boy in Wigan Parish Church). Len Hudson. to North and South Lane. A The most notable girl in our class was Gladys Fletcher who In the photo the double- railway line ran from the site decker bus is standing in the down to and across Manchester joined the Navy and was sadly torpedoed in the Indian Ocean lodge with the water up to the Road at Marsland Green and on during the 1939-45 war. One lunch time she decided to climb out upper-deck level, the destination to a coal tip on the Leeds & of the classroom window (on the top floor of the building) and walk board showing NOOK PITS with Liverpool canal bank for loading along the parapet to the next classroom. This was thwarted by the LUT below, just above water into barges; this survived up to arrival of a member of staff; and Gladys climbed into the classroom level. The caption to the photo the late 60's and early 70’s. much quicker than she climbed out! Other members of the class gives the story: "Nook Pit bus in A Oldham were:- Alice Hubbard, Dorothy Higginbottom, Kathleen Millard, the lodge, 3rd August 1950 with Astley Tyldesley Ellen Lowe, Annie Shannon, Teresa Kerwin, Edith Peet (a brilliant scholar), Audrey Armitage, Kathleen Jones (now deceased) Norah Tongue, Elsie Scott, Margery Clarke, Helen Calderbank, Marian Green, May Anderson Gladys Cavey and Marian Calland. Request for Pedicure We are still in touch with a few of the pupils; however, it would be interesting to know how the others are faring. Ah wish thi’d cut thi tonenails Mrs Gladys Woodward (nee Farrimond) Tel: 01942 884253 Tha’s ruin’t awl thi socks Tha’s two new pair on’t bedroom chair (Reet next t’beddin’ box) Brought together PLEA FROM THE Dear Alastair Ah wish thid cut thi tonenails Thank you for the message EDITOR from Ian Dibblin from I greatly value all Thi scawp’t mi leg last neet contributions to Past Bournemouth, re my article in Ah turn’t Iin’t’ bed mi ankle’s red Forward, and if you don’t Past Forward 36, p43. The have access to a computer, Thi catch it wi thi feet name does ring bells with me, I don’t let that put you off think he was the sister of Ann sending me your article - Ah wish thid cut thi toenails Dibblin in whose garden the preferably typed, but Ah skenn’t round bathroom door photo accompanying the article again, if you can only was taken. I'll get in touch with manage handwritten, Ther long ‘n white gi’ dog a fright that’s fine. him. Best by far are Wer curling on t’t floor As a result of the photo I am electronic contributions, ie now in touch with a cousin in by Email Ah wish thi’d cut thi toenails Cornwall (last heard of over 30 ([email protected]), or on Tha’s such a lot fo’t loose years ago) who receives Past CD ROM or floppy disc Forward, a girl in the photo together with hard copy printouts. And it would (now aged 64) who also Thi’v grown such size bi’ no surprise help the production team subscribes and lives in and myself even more if If tha needs smaller shoes Australia, and also another one articles were double line who lives in Bristol. spaced with one inch Elene Humphreys Thank you for bringing us all (25mm) margins and a together. word count included. Many Treuddyn Mold thanks. Audrey Sherrington Ed. Colwyn Bay North Wales 39

Dear Sir The Burgie In the last issue of Past Forward (no37) Mr Smith of Dear Sir Winstanley writes about a I read the letter by Henry Collins in issue 37 p42, in which he wrestler named Burgie Ben. As expressed his interest in the word 'Burgie' which I had used to a youngster growing up in Ince describe the area where the unexploded bomb landed during the in the 1930's I recall his named last war. He stated that the word was also used in St Helens and that being mentioned many times. it described a process at Pilkington’s glass works. Ben's opponent was definitely Dear Mr. Gillies, From being born and spending 30 years of my life in Edge Hall Japanese; his correct name Road and up to the present day, the word 'Burgie' was the name of The most interesting last was YOKIOTANI. Tani was an a pathway, and meant nothing else to me. However, after Henry edition of Past Forward (no 37) expert in the Japanese art of Ju Collins’s letter I decided to look further into the meaning of the word. contained a letter from Mr Jitsu, which made Ben's win The Burgie path ran from the Old Lane (the Old Lane was a dirt road more praiseworthy. Henry Collins about ‘Burgie’ as that connected Edge Hall Road with Orrell Road at Orrell Mount) to Another wrestler lived in waste sand beds at the Moor Road, passing through arable land for about 300 yards, but Ince; his name was Alan Pilkington Glass Works. about 30 yards from Moor Road the arable land ended and the Lathom, who wrestled under Perhaps I could clarify the ground became rough and covered with lots of coal dirt. the name of Francis Sullivan. origins of the Orrell ‘Burgy’, After looking up some local history I learned that Orrell was on a Alan lived in Park View, close to with the aid of Donald rich coalfield in the 17th century and that a good many mines were where I was born. He appeared Anderson's most readable sunk around the area; one must have been where the Burgie Path on TV when wrestling was book, The Orrell Coalfield, met Moor Road. shown on Saturdays. There Lancashire 1740-1850 and old I also looked up the word 'Burgie' in an old Reference Dictionary were some more from Wigan OS geological maps, reinforced and found the spelling was a little different - 'Burgee '. The who probably trained at Billy by some personal knowledge as definition, however, was interesting – “small coal used mainly for Riley's Gym whose names I a resident of Orrell for some 40 furnaces and kilns”. can't remember. years. So the ‘Burgie Pad’, as my Grandmother called it and long before I look forward to your next The locality in Orrell known her lifetime, was the 'Path to the Burgee Coal Pit' issue. as the ‘Burgy’ is the site of a Frank Winnard Alf Boyd former coal mine now adjacent Billinge Nr Wigan Marsh Green Wigan to the motorway bridge in Moor Road, Orrell. The Bone or Burgy seam of coal, some 13 to 20 Dear Mr. Gillies between 1870 and 1930, British army bomb-disposal yards above the Orrell Five Feet Further to the letter from although never during the great engineer who defused it, and all Henry Collins in Past Forward days of Orrell." It is further surround the retrieved ‘trophy’! seam, outcrops on or close to 37 and a previous letter from stated that the principal In the background can clearly be the site now known as the Frank Winnard (Issue No.33), re workings were those of Holt and seen the craters left by other ‘Burgy’, and is described as a the ‘Burgie’ in Orrell, perhaps Scott from the ‘Burgy’ pits, at bombs which did explode and "thin seam of indifferent the following information may be the site of the motorway bridge the council houses in nearby quality". This thin seam was of interest. in Moor Road, which operated Linden Avenue. Further homes also apparently worked The location is referred to in from 1872 to 1887, and who also appear to be in the process of sporadically in the Orrell area Donald Anderson's The Orrell built a railway to the sidings at construction on the extreme between 1870 and 1930 by Coalfield, Lancashire 1740- Orrell station. right of the picture. The reverse small companies. The principal 1850, p16. Writing about the Mr. Peter Easton of Orrell has side of the photo is stamped 'T. workings were by Holt and Scott Orrell Five Feet coal seam, he kindly loaned the photograph MARSH, ELECTRICAL STUDIOS, at the site now referred to as mentions that between 13 and below. He explains that it shows PEMBERTON'. the ‘Burgy’ between 1872 and 20 yards above it was the "bone German prisoners-of-war from Mr. Easton's sister later 1887. The site was connected or Burgy Mine, a thin seam of Huyton Camp who were sent to married one of the German to the Lancashire and Yorkshire indifferent quality which was excavate the unexploded bomb, prisoners and it was he who Railway, close to Orrell Station, worked sporadically and in small which was dropped on the passed on the photo upon his by a mineral tramway, evidence areas by small companies ‘Burgy’. Also pictured is the return from Germany. of which was visible up to 1939. Carol Littler Many readers of Past Orrell Wigan Forward will doubtless remember the ‘Burgy’ old pit site being occupied from time to time by local undertakings: Sand Barton & Danson, Coldman’s Dear Alastair haulage contractors and bus Re letter from Henry Collins operators, and others. in the latest issue of Past So, the Orrell ‘Burgy’ takes Forward, I suspect the its name from the coal seam connecting factor is SAND, as which outcrops in the vicinity in my youth we played in the and was worked by small sand quarry that existed in the operators over 130 years ago Burgie. Sand martins even there. nested there. Robert Wright David Parkinson Kirkby Stephen Cumbria Orrell 40

Hall Lane Tollgate flagging and the addition of kerbstones. Dear Sir the farm and the projecting I would have been about six I recall being taken through porch from which the toll- years of age at the time, so the Pennygate tollgate in Hall keeper, usually a lady, the date of the photograph Lane, Hindley by an uncle who (presumably the farmer’s wife would be early 1920's. It may was charged a few pence for or daughter) would emerge as have been taken by another the gate to be opened to allow required, the surrounding relative, Tom Gerrard, who his car to pass through. This fence along the lane was also took many photographs of would have taken place in the removed and the area historic interest. He was also Record early 1930's. alongside the roadway for many years official Following the demolition of rendered fit to walk on by photographer to Wigan RFC. attendance in In pre World War II Wigan times, Hall Lane was almost impossible for Dear Sir motor vehicles because I am currently writing a of the enormous book on Wigan Borough potholes in the un- Football Club, founder metalled surface, but members of Division Three was an excellent ‘dirt North in 1921/22. I think track’ for young cyclists. one claim to fame they have Because there was is that they hold the record hardly any traffic, it was attendance for an a safe play area all the Association Football game in way from Hindley to Wigan, when 30,443 Aspull St Elizabeth's Church. watched their 3-1 defeat by Norman Spooner Sheffield Wednesday at Toll-Bar, Hindley, c.1900. Oswestry Shropshire Springfield Park in an FA Cup game on 12 January 1929. I would love to know if any Skeletons in the Cupboard of your readers have any Dear Sir Dicconson) and children went to live at St memories or memorabilia of Since retiring I have been researching my Domingo Farm for a brief period. The family this football club who, on 26 family's history. I have been intrigued with were terrified because they believed the place October 1931, became the the recent article in the local papers about was haunted. Father Gradwell from St Johns first club to resign from the skeletons found in Lord Street, Wigan. RC Church blessed the house and gave the Football League in mid My great great grandmother, Jane Valentines a statue, which is still in the family. season, just 2 days after a 5- Dicconson, lived at St Domingo Farm, between If anyone has any information about St 0 defeat at Wrexham. Duke Street and Swinley Lane (now occupied Domingo Farm, I would be delighted to hear Mark Iddon by St Michael’s Church). She kept a few cows from them. Tarleton and had a milk round. My great grandfather, Muriel Sage Email: [email protected] John Valentine, his wife Margaret (nee Euxton Chorley

Dear Editor parents had an anxious time I read Past Forward for the A Pleasant Discovery of it. My mother pushed my first time when the latest in the Army in 1914. soap and other 'comforts'. baby sister in her pram from issue (no. 37) was passed on My father was wounded in The youngest of my father's Kenyon Road to Whelley in to me by John Lonsdale, who October 1918 and had a leg family, Teresa, now 96, is the order to wave to us through had provided some amputated. For many years only one remaining of her the window of the ward on information about the afterwards he gave much generation. visiting days. Things have Lonsdale Egg distribution time and energy to his Another entry in your certainly improved since business for your local history voluntary work for BLESMA magazine was of interest. My then! project. It was a surprise to (British Limbless Ex-service Sister Teresa and I share with Now living in Upholland I find a photograph of my Men's Association) and for Margaret Hurst the memory am a little less in touch so I father, Frank Lonsdale, with the British Legion, with of time spent in the Wigan shall seek the opportunity to the raest of the family (p5). hospital visiting during World Sanatorium. My sister and I, read your magazine in future. The family photograph was War II a high priority. As a when seven and four years Best wishes for its taken to commemorate the child I was sometimes old, were dispatched to the continuance. final get-together before allowed to accompany him on Sanatorium with scarlet fever. Winifred Lonsdale Frank and Eddie left to serve these visits, taking cigarettes, Without telephone or car, our Upholland Wigan 41

TELEPHONISTS REUNION

A Local Enigma Dear Sir I am trying to obtain infor- mation of work that was carried out during World War II at the Lancashire Electric Power Meter (later Norweb Electricity) Testing Station at Mountain Street, Walkden near Manchester, on copies of the German ENIGMA coding Ex Telephonists Reunion 2004 machines which were built, modified or rewired there. Dear Sir I started work at the Meter generation who were at the that there must be another Station in 1959, and in the The reunion of the ex telephone exchange in Dorning reunion in the not too distant 1960’s, discovered in the cel- GPO/BT telephonists on 25 Street Wigan until its closure in future and anyone wishing to lars of the building several May 2004 at the Tudor pub on 1992, were there. The receive information can call machines, together with a box Mossy Lea Road, Wrightington, atmosphere was electric and it Pat Cotton on 01942 832564 full of change wheels. In 2001 I Wigan was voted a huge was difficult to be heard above or Muriel Fox on 01257 saw a television programme success. Telephonists from as the hubbub as approximately 453062. about Bletchley Park, home to far back as the 1940's, 89 ladies laughed, joked and Muriel Fox the breaking of the Enigma together with the younger reminisced. It was unanimous Wrightington Nr Wigan Machines, where I recognized that the seemingly useless pieces of equipment I had seen found not to contain the pre- many years before were actu- cious equipment; nor did we Abram Ladies ally Enigma Machines, probably have any success in our search the last undiscovered examples of the scrap metal reclamation remaining in the world. These yard for where the skips were machines and change wheels destined. could have represented the sur- However, as a result of my plus build material and/or sister going on a ramble faulty machines in a part of the recently in the Walkden area, cellar that had been kept locked the guide referred to the fact up since the war. that the famous Enigma In May 2001, 1 wrote to machines were assembled at Bletchley Park Trust to tell them the nearby Meter Test Station that I knew of the location of during World War II. He went on some 8-10 Enigma cipher to say that, apparently, one machines, along with a box full Saturday morning, the upstairs of Enigma wheels. Eventually test room was cleared of meters John Gallehawk from Bletchley and test racks, in preparation Park Archives and Museum for the construction or modifi- contacted me; he was very cation of the Enigma machines. Hello Alastair interested in obtaining this I am writing to you in the Following on from my article in Past Forward 36, is there any equipment. However, before he hope that some readers or local chance that you might be able to publish the enclosed photograph arrived, I heard that the roof of history societies may have of Abram ladies, c.1907? I would love to be able to identify at least the Meter Station was off and some more information, which I some of the women on the photograph. The only person whose demolition was underway. And could pass on to the Bletchley identity I am sure of is Revd Twemlow; I imagine that the women so it was that John Gallehawk Park Trust, and help to put our may comprise the membership of the Mothers’ Union. There is one and I found to our dismay that area on the annals of Britain's lady who may be my great-grandmother, Mary Walls (sitting in the the section of the building con- best kept secret – ‘Ultras Base second row from the front, next to the intriguing lady who looks taining the partial cellar had at Bletchley Park’. Indian). been flattened and all the con- Robert Mather Mary Sayers tents dumped into skips. The 6 Millbrook Avenue Buxton Derbyshire skip onsite was examined and Atherton M46 9LL Email: [email protected] 42

was often past his opposing three quarter back before the Wiganers at Rorke’s Drift latter realised that Bradley Dear Sir Cemetery, Church of England has the ball. Fireworks were I read with interest Fred section C, grave 478; there is always evident in his game, Holcroft's article in Past no headstone on his grave. he could get up pace in a Forward No 37 on the two Private John Smith 1005 stride or two. Inside or Wigan lads who fought at was born in Chapel Lane in outside mattered nought to Rorke's Drift. Private William December 1851, and was Neville 1279 was born in baptised at All Saints Parish him. He could feint and Warrington Road, Abram in Church on 29 February dodge with a shrewdness Lewis Bradley February 1858 and baptised 1852. At Rorke's Drift he picked up in Welsh football. at All Saints Parish Church, was wounded in the stomach Dear Alastair Shall we ever forget this Wigan on 2 July. He died of by an assegai, the only I was delighted to see the speedy wing three quarter at heart failure in August 1895 solider to receive such a article on Lewis Bradley in Central Park? He was the idol at the age of 52 at Brown wound while fighting at the Past Forward no 37. I had of the crowd and it only Street Ince-In-Makerfield. (I Barricade. He was examined come across his name while seems like yesterday that he have not been able to locate by a medical board on 6 researching the names on the was dashing down the where Brown Street was, and August 1879 and sent back Wigan War Memorial. He touchline, his long flowing I would be grateful if any to England. was one of 21 playing hair blowing in the wind, reader could help me). Clifford Storey members of Wigan Northern those long raking strides and Neville is buried in Ince Whelley Wigan Union RFC who enlisted, and that final natural swerve". the only one killed, although It is wonderful that Tom C Molloy was permanently Mather's article in Past THE DAVIES SISTERS blinded. Forward means that he is not Dear Sir His obituary in the forgotten. I would like to thank James Fairhurst on his contribution ‘A Pit Sporting Chronicle and Fred Holcroft Brow Girls Story’ in issue no 37. Charlotte and Mary Ann Davies reproduced in the Wigan Winstanley Wigan are my great grandfather's sisters and it was nice to hear Examiner brings tears to your something about the way a member of the family lived than just eyes. See Fred’s article on Iraq on the dates and information I gather whilst doing my research. "Quick off the mark, he p11. Ed. Linda Veasey

ARGYLE STREET SCHOOL School Dear Sir St Thomas’s Perhaps you can find a little place for this photograph in your Dear Mr Gillies Atherton, Joyce Hall, Nora wonderful Past Forward. It shows a class from Argyle Street I have read with interest Kay, Brenda Hart, Phyllis School, Hindley. My daughter is on the front row, second left. the letter from Joyce Dennis Hinds, Pat Mosely, Marian She is 56 now; perhaps some of the pupils can recognise in connection with St Marsh, Joe Higham, Janet themselves. Thomas's School in the 1948 Butler (whose Aunt was Miss My teacher at All Saints School, Hindley was Mr Darling, I era. I attended St Thomas's Butler, a teacher at St think he became a councillor at Wigan and married Miss School 1944-1949 and can Thomas's Juniors), Joyce Sharrock. Thank you all very much for the memories. recollect a number of pupils Dagnall, Sally Gregory and J Bowery within that period; Joyce Pat Monagham. Hove East Sussex Bailey, Audrey Monks, Anna Doreen Bolton (nee Hulse, Betty Highton, Forshaw) Thomas Purdam, Joe Whalley Nr Clitheroe

Published by Wigan Heritage Service, Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust, Market Suite, The Galleries, Wigan WN1 1PX The views expressed in this issue are not necessarily supported by Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust. Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official announcement unless so stated. Neither Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust, nor the Editor, accept liability for any matter in this publication. Contributions are welcome but no responsibility can be taken for loss or damage to contributors’ material.

© Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust, November 2004.

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f e y ch, The own e all e was T e? featur eaders. If you Wher The top right Thanks to the many e was a splendid Who? esponded. igan, 1926-27; ther y of most r emains unidentified. W Halliwell. ch (top left) is Glazebur alter arrington Road, while the building elatively modern, and within the eaders who r esponse to the even a suggestion as to the identity of the person climing chimney - W r The photographs in this issue ar r living memor can identify any of them, please contact Len Hudson in Leigh W (bottom left) is Collinshay Farm, of Garswood Lane. photograph shows Eckersleys Chimneys, Primitive Methodist Chur chur Hall (01942 404432). As usual, ther r in the last issue; only bottom right photograph r e? Wher Who?

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