700Th Anniversary St Thomas Upholland

Produced by Wigan Heritage Service Issue No. 45 April - July 2007 700th Anniversary St Thomas Upholland

HERITAGE SERVICE

Contents Letter from the

3 Exhibitions at the Editorial Team History Shop Welcome to the new look FORWARD. We have 4 PAST Can you help? worked with our designers to produce a more attractive, easily readable magazine. We have also printed our 5 "Wiggin speak" publishing schedule, so that you can make sure your articles arrive on time. 6-7 Learning with the History Shop This issue includes important information on the new opening hours for the History Shop, Leigh Local History and Leigh Archives 8 Wigan's Bathhouse (see page 14), so please be sure you read this. Excavations We are working on new features to be introduced in 14 Wigan Heritage forthcoming issues. Ideas so far include a special page for our younger readers, spotlight on collections (where we would 18 Letters from America highlight a particular object or collection each issue) and a new photographic feature. We would welcome your ideas on how 22 Society News you see the magazine developing, so please write to us.

FORWARD 24 Family History We do hope that you enjoy your new look PAST and wish you all a peaceful Easter. 26 The Mid Thirties Depression and the Past Forward Cotton Queen 2007 Publishing The future of Past Forward 28 Bay Horse Hotel Schedule In issue 44 we outlined our plans for Contributors, 30 Church of St. Thomas the future development of Past please note the 700th Birthday Forward, including the idea of a £1.00 deadline dates for charge per issue. We asked for your opinion on this, and can now report 32 Your Letters receipt of material for publication. back that so far, well over 90% of respondents have wholeheartedly 36 How to find us Issue 46 supported the introduction of the 21st May 2007 charge. We are very pleased that you value the magazine so highly. The FRONT COVER PICTURE Issue 47 consultation is ongoing, but it seems The Priory Church and 17th September we have your approval, and the charge Village of Upholland by 2007 will probably be introduced for issue 46 Charles Towne 1763-1840 (due out at the end of July). The money

EXHIBITIONS AT THE HISTORY SHOP

The History of Girl Guiding in Wigan Borough April 16 – August 11 2007 Lancashire South

April 1 2007 is the 20th anniversary of the formation of the Guide County of Lancashire South, which includes all of the present metropolitan borough of Wigan, and a small area around Billinge This celebratory exhibition will trace the history of Guiding locally, from its introduction in Wigan towards the end of the First World War, to its current position as part of the UK’s leading organisation for girls and young women today. There have been many changes along the way and these will be reflected in the photographs, badges, uniforms and flags which will be on display. The exhibition will be officially opened on Thursday 19th April when, from 6pm – 9pm, members of 4th Wigan (St Mary’s and St John’s) Rainbows, Brownies and Guides will demonstrate guiding in action today. You are welcome to attend but numbers are limited so please contact Mrs Susan Heyes, Girlguiding Lancashire South Top: King Street Baptist Brownies c.1938. archivist. Tel: 01942 245412 or Email Bottom: 12th Leigh, 2nd Bedford (St Joseph's) Guides [email protected] for more information. in the late 1920s. e of Past Forward

we raise will offset the costs collect money) you will have the same. However, we are looking of production and allow us to option of becoming a Friend of at a ‘tiered’ approach to make improvements. the Heritage Service (on annual membership of the Friends, payment of £5.00) and receive encompassing different types of If Past Forward 46 does go on your copies through the post. subscription, from those that sale, you will be able to buy it at want to become involved in the the History Shop, Leigh Local From some of your replies, there service eg fundraising or working History Desk, Archive Office, any appears to be a little confusion on specific projects, to those one of the borough’s Libraries, around the £5.00 subscription to who just want to receive Past Haigh Hall and the Tourist the Friends, which includes three Forward through the post. We Information Centre. For those of free issues of Past Forward have not yet developed the idea, you who only use the mobile mailed to member’s homes. This and as always, we will consult library or the Housebound will still continue, and for the our readership and Friends Service (where staff cannot moment, the price remains the before changes are made.

CAN YOU HELP?

in Ince and then in Rotherham. Dear Editor I have been unable to confirm this marriage or any further Thomas Cain was my gt gt children at present, and I am grandfather, and whilst I have hoping that your readers or been able to trace the early possibly any descendants of years of his life and that of his Thomas still in the Wigan area family, I have been unable to can help. I have already trace beyond 1901 (when he is received help from Max Finney in Manchester as a visitor with and Neil Cain, for which I am his second wife Mary.) extremely grateful). Mrs Kym Evans, 51 Teign Bank Road Hinckley Leicestershire LE10 0ED kymtim@ntlworld Thomas' granddaughters, Ivy (my grandmother) and Maggie.

had moved to 5 Kenyon Road Dear Editor and Jabez was now running his own wholesale grocery Thirty years ago my husband business. His sons, Edward was bought a large quantity of a clerk in the business, and stone from Standishgate Frank was a dentist's Methodist Church when it was apprentice. Since we have not being demolished. This stone found the rest of the memorial has been used to build walls we would like to complete the Thomas Cain, c.1915. around the garden, and the picture .When did he die and Thomas was born in 1870 at massive window sills have what good works did he do for Percy’s Row, Bell Green Lane created two large garden Standishgate Methodist Ince to Hance and Margaret, he seats. On New Year's Eve my Church? was the youngest of 8 children. husband found part of a He married in1892 and had a marble memorial stone with Mrs D Hart, daughter in 1893 (my gt the name Jabez Boggis whilst 35 Preston Road grandma Kate). A son was born sorting out the remaining pile. Coppull in February1896 and died 13 days later, his wife Margaret It was easy to research this very died five days after the birth. unusual name. Jabez was born in Essex in 1850 to John and The family story is that Thomas Jane Boggis. He was an married again (a lady called apprentice grocer working in Mary) and that he went on to Osett, Essex. In 1880 he have another four children married Sarah Anne Bowser whilst living in Bolton (50 who came from Warrington. Union Street off Folds Road). They had two sons Edward and His first child (Kate) was Frank. In the 1891 Census they brought up by her maternal lived at 8 Ashland Avenue with grandparents and an aunt, first their sons and had a servant, Elizabeth Tury. In 1901 they 4

'Wiggin' 1 Wot’s getten fer thi baggin’? 2 ‘Oose yon lass mee-mawin’at? SPEAK 3 ‘Ers uz foo’ uz a butcher’s dog 4 Dun’t ee’ favver iz fayther By T.K Clitheroe 5 Why dussent tek thi face rattin’ As I slowly claw my way to the nonagenarian state with my 85 years, all of which have been spent in Wigan (apart from a six year 6 Yon lass ‘ull eight shop bread period in the 1940’s when I was otherwise engaged) I am becoming increasingly 7 ‘Iz cap ‘ull ‘owd a bilin’ o’ peighs concerned to see our much-loved ‘Wiggin speak’ apparently fading into obscurity, due 8 ‘Um uz slavvers iz nor allus to lack of use. Many of these words and gormless phrases have very close connections with our once thriving coal and cotton industries, and 9 It favvers it’s gooin’t clod it should surely be recognised as a much valued deawn part of our heritage. 10 Therz mooer meight on a Fortunately, one is still able to occasionally hear it spoken, more often than not in the ragmon’s trumpet tap rooms of local pubs. However, unless a real effort is made to rejuvenate it, it will 11 Worrart ‘avin’ aife ov? almost certainly disappear, never to be heard again. 12 ‘Ees geet ‘iz tap stopped

Perhaps in some small measure, the following 13 ‘Awm gooin’ wom morn neet will at least bring a smile and a chuckle at the special humour and wonderful imagery with 14 ‘Ers neawt a peawnd which our dialect is so liberally spiced. I have listed a few examples in an attempt to whet 15 Aw con allus eight a piece ‘o the appetite and stir the memory. I have also moggy meight supplied a translation of each saying to help ‘foreigners’ and lapsed locals. 16 ‘Ees geet a face uz long uz a Editor’s note: You will find the translation on lampleeter’s pow page 13 along with a scoring system (also supplied by Mr Clitheroe) which will enable 17 ‘Ees gon t’back wi’ eez you to calculate whether you are (in Mr deggin’ can Clitheroe’s eyes at least) a real 18 Get thissell womm fer thi tay 'Wigginer' 19 Awl gi’ thi’ o’ taste o’ clog pie 20 If ‘eed oni mooer meawth ‘eed a or not! no face fot wash

LEARNING WITH THE HISTORY SHOP

memories those children will have to relate back to their Heritage education grandchildren. The Sunflower Project which has is nearly at the finishing post with all the contributions to been the book being ready for All Go! press. So many women It has been enjoyable includes the gym visits and sharing their memories, meeting so many different both of them loosing several experiences and life stories groups and individuals and stone in weight. They have that encapsulate a working with them. I thrive such energy and community. As a ‘spin off’ I on providing opportunities determination to get fit and facilitated a creative writing for so many people to learn are certainly role models for class for the ladies at St new things and rekindle the campaign of ‘Getting Barnabas Church who distant memories. Wigan Active’. showed some amazing talent for writing. The more I go Social Services have been St Patrick’s School invited me out into the community the attending workshops to learn to present my workshop more I see such splendid more about local history. We entitled People in Places and I camaraderie from the looked at the Legend of Mabs spent a worthwhile and organisers and members of Cross in the days when enjoyable morning working these social groups. knights were bold, damsels with a class, looking at the Pensioner’s Link at Leigh is were in distress and people trials and tribulations of another channel for social got their wires crossed! We ‘Victorian Wigginers’. The inclusion and one could took Wigan’s legend into children were vivacious and argue it is like a giant likelihood by examining early very enthusiastic about local ‘Pensioner’s Playgroup’, primary source material and history, soaking up the tenderly made possible by made a decision that ‘truth information that generated a the commendable work of wise’ the legend had a lot positive question session to Heather Meakin. I am so going for it. The groups love close the workshop. During fortunate to meet so many the challenge of the follow midmorning break I was good people out and about up work when they can invited to share with the in the borough and explore the theme in depth. children in a French facilitate workshops that This meant trips to see the help people share cross and visits to All Saints ‘elevenses’ of hot chocolate, fellowship by sharing their Church Parish Church. It is crepes and croissants to experiences. always a really good day concluded their recent when my special friends visit exploration of another Christmas activities were because there is always a culture. The children were amazing with families positive atmosphere marvellous but my French coming along to find out generated with lots of was a bit ropey! As an why Father Christmas laughter. Barry and Cathy put educator I marvel at the originally wore green. It me to shame because they positive learning environment must be my age because I are on a health kick which at St Pat’s and the school

get quite emotional these family learning workshops to days, especially when asking What celebrate the joys of Spring. the children what Christmas Throughout the year I hope to meant to them. The children do a series of daytime talks answered without any Next? on towns within the borough, prompting. They knew it was starting with Hindley with the an important date because it We have lots planned for pilot session for a group was the birth of Jesus and 2007. In half term I am known as the Ladies Circle. I Christmas to them was facilitating two workshops will be out and about in the spending time with their entitled Who Am I?. These are community and at the History families and thinking of based on family history and I Shop so please support us if others who had less than hope young children will there is anything on offer that themselves. They also enjoy being family history takes your fancy. mentioned that Christmas detectives. Looking for clues should be a time to show with the help of other love and they all hoped that members from their family. Dianne Teskey the world would have peace. During the Easter holidays Community Outreach & Out of the mouths of babes! there will be some informal Education Officer. Easter Fun at the History Shop

Come and join us in our Easter workshops which are on Wednesdays at 10.30am and 2.00pm. Wednesday 4th April 2007 What is a pace egg and why do people roll them down hills? Find out about the origins of Easter traditions and make a cosy egg cover for your Easter hard boiled egg. Wednesday 11th April 2007 Enjoy a little animal magic and join in the Easter activities. Make a bouncing bunny to take home.

Sessions are suitable for families with children aged 4 to 10 years and cost £1 to help towards the cost of craft materials. Places are limited so booking is essential. Book early to avoid disappointment by telephoning the History Shop on 01942 828128.

Wigan's Bathhouse

Excavations By Bill Aldridge – A view from Wigan Archaeology Society

“2005 was a special year for Wigan. Almost over night we saw it go from the lower division to the dizzy heights of the Premiership, and this was not just in the world of the football.” These were the words used by Ian Miller of Oxford Archaeology North to describe Wigan’s sudden rise to fame in the world of Roman archaeology. Bathhouses are not that common in Britain, but to find one of such good quality, and from such an early date, in this part of the North West, is quite remarkable. It puts Wigan An artist’s impression amongst some of the more important sites in the early of what the bathhouse may days of the Roman conquest of Northern Britain. have looked like, Courtesy Oxford Archaeology North.

Roman Wigan nature of Wigan’s Roman archaeological investigations It has always been assumed heritage began to emerge. Two prior to any new development that there was a Roman station seasons of excavations, by a in historically sensitive areas. at Wigan. Even as early as the team from Manchester When planning permission was beginning of the 19th century, University, revealed for the first granted to Modus to develop a the Rev Edmund Sibson time that Wigan was indeed large area in the centre of suggested it was Coccium, the settled by the Romans and was Wigan, it was obvious to our Roman fort which appears in being used for some kind of society that a great early Roman literature, and industrial activity. Evidence of opportunity would present was able to trace three Roman metal-working and military- itself for further discoveries in roads leading into Wigan from style wooden buildings from an area which may well have Warrington, Manchester and the late 1st to the early 2nd survived the ravages of Preston. Added to this, many century fitted with other well Victorian development. Much Roman finds have turned up known sites in the region such of the area in question had over the years including as Wildespool and Walton-le- been covered in the late 19th funerary vessels from the area Dale, but significantly, no century by a huge earthen of the Gas Works, a Roman indications of a fort. embankment built for the altar stone in the Parish Church Central Railway Station, which and many coins and potsherds Development was the terminus for the Great from around the town centre. Since the advent of planning Central Railway (Wigan However, it was only in the guidance legislation in the mid Junction Branch). Even the early 1980’s, with excavations 1990’s, developers have been River Douglas had to be in the Wiend, that the true obliged to contribute towards diverted to accommodate the

bank and the viaduct which took the railway over the Douglas Valley eastwards towards Manchester. The area is also very close to the earlier discoveries in the Wiend. A desk-top survey arranged by Greater Manchester Archaeology Unit, was followed by field evaluation work carried out by Oxford Archaeology North (who are based in Lancaster). Our suspicions were soon confirmed when the team began digging in Ship Yard behind the Ship Hotel (latterly called Yates Wine Lodge, but more recently, Sam’s Bar) in the town centre end of Millgate.

Early Indications Hypocaust, Roman bathhouse, Millgate. Courtesy Oxford Archaeology North. Both Roman and Medieval activity were detected in the evaluation trenches, prompting Failure century was much deeper than full excavation work, which These findings gave great first thought and the began late in November 2004 hope for further discoveries in conclusion was that the and carried on through the the rest of the development development would not winter months, sometimes in area. However, when trenches disturb any archaeology at atrocious conditions. Despite were opened on the north side that depth. Our only hope lay the bad weather, evidence of the Civic Centre, opposite in the area on the other side soon began to emerge of the area in the Wiend where of Pennington’s furniture shop extensive Roman occupation previous discoveries had been further down Millgate dating to the early 2nd century made, the archaeologists drew opposite the present Town AD. This included high-quality a blank. Early photographs of Hall. Samian-ware1 and even wood the construction of the Civic from two ‘V’-shaped ditches Centre, however, gave a good Success which look typically military in clue as to the reason for this, Evaluation trenching in this design. These were with larger areas being area soon turned up a Roman intermingled with evidence of excavated out for its hearth. Plans were therefore Medieval activity in the form of foundations. Trenches were put forward for a larger scale pits and ditches outlining the also opened in the area excavation to be carried out burgess plots2 which would around the bottom of Watkin over the next few weeks. When have backed onto the houses Street. This was to establish if Tom Glover (our chairman) and and shops along the Millgate any archaeology survived I visited the site a week or so of Medieval Wigan. relating to the mill which once later, cellared buildings and an Significantly the Roman ditches stood on the banks of the early 19th century bread oven ran in a perpendicular direction Douglas in that area. This also had been uncovered on the to the main road suggesting drew a blank, but it west side of the site adjacent Millgate may have originated demonstrated that the spoil to the road on Millgate. I was in the Roman period. deposited in the late 19th particularly intrigued by a

cobbled road complete with Penningtons furniture shop. with the west wall of one of pavements, curbing and drains, Impressive Remains the hypocaust rooms and which had not seen the light of The next time we saw the site proceeded north for another day for over 100 years. was an evening tour, specially 12 metres before turning east However, what Mark Bagwell, arranged for our society by the for another 11 metres. It the site director, was getting excavation project manager, eventually disappeared under particularly excited about came Ian Miller. We started with the Victorian development, which as a complete surprise to us; obligatory safety procedures had truncated the site on the square brick tiles piled on top and preliminary talk on the east side. This represented a of each other in a fashion site’s overall development. This huge enclosure but had little which could only mean one included a mention of the old or no indication of any internal thing, a Roman hypocaust3. At Ritz Cinema (reputedly once structure. There was however a this point in time only a few the largest in Europe) which, room cornered between the tiles protruded through the being considered of no enclosure wall and one of the mud but there was enough to particular architectural merit, hypocaust rooms. This showed convince the experts that they was in the throes of being evidence for beam slots which had possibly hit on the remains demolished. Ian then led us indicated an internal wooden of a Roman bathhouse. There onto the site to show us just structure or a series of were also indications of a large what they had uncovered. Our partition walls. Only a small stone wall in another area of collective jaws dropped in amount of stone survived in the site which had been amazement when he presented the enclosure wall trench but, robbed out to leave a large us with, not just one the little that did, indicated a foundation trench. These hypocaust room but three, high quality of construction findings changed the whole together with other rooms and, with a general width of complexity of the site and fresh including a possible plunge 90cm (3 feet), demonstrated a negotiations were held with pool. Two of the hypocaust very substantial structure. the archaeologists, Wigan rooms had well defined stoke- Council and Modus, who holes and the third had smaller Colonnade generously gave an extra six rooms off to the west and Lying outside the enclosure weeks to excavate the whole of east. The large stone wall, as wall and running parallel to it the area between the multi- indicated by the robbed-out was another foundation storey car park and trench, seemed to be aligned trench, not quite as big but, once again, robbed of its stonework. At the point where it turned the corner, Ian pointed out a huge rectangular block of stone which he initially thought was Victorian because of its fine surface finish. But after further investigations this turned out to be firmly associated with the Roman levels. Its isolated position suggested it was probably a base plinth for a large stone column. Further evidence of similar blocks (one to the south and another to the east) added weight to this interpretation and would probably have represented a An artist’s impression of what the bathhouse may have looked like, Courtesy portico or maybe colonnaded Oxford Archaeology North.

entrance. The base of a column, found in the one of the hypocaust rooms, may have originated from this feature.

Hypocausts Of the three hypocaust rooms found, the best preserved was the one located to the north and offset to the west of the other two. It had a well defined stoke-hole on its west side which was full of construction debris and burnt material. In the hypocaust room, columns of tiles (or pilae) reached almost one metre high and covered more than 50% of the floor space. An artist’s impression of what the inside of the bathhouse may have looked like. Courtesy Oxford Archaeology North. The rest of the floor area had been completely cleared by later post-Medieval industrial the deep trench suggests that status and seemed to be built activity (possibly a bell casting it was probably the water generally in one phase. The pit). The south wall of this supply to the main building. width and depth of the room had been breached by Added to this, on the north hypocaust foundation trenches some other industrial activity side of the site and dating alone were testament to the which had occurred at a later slightly early, Ian pointed out importance of the structure. date in the Roman period, an area of post holes and Trenches had been cut into the probably after the building had hearths, where some industrial bedrock of the slopping hillside gone out of use as a activity had been carried out. of Millgate to provide a level hypocaust. Ian described this Scrap pieces of lead indicate surface to build on, indicating as possibly squatter activity, that this was probably the a large investment in time and taking advantage of the workshops where the Romans manpower. Most of the structural remains. were producing the lead used stonework had been removed for lining pools or tanks for from the foundation trenches Bathhouse holding the water. Assessing all but, where it had survived, the A deep trench running away this evidence, Ian and his team quality of construction was of from the main site on the west are convinced that this site was a high standard. Quite side, but parallel to it, indeed a bathhouse. In Britain unusually though, the produced a large piece of as a whole, bathhouses are excavations revealed that this amphora4. Amphora very often associated with forts walling had been almost totally represented a large proportion but, without positive evidence robbed out in antiquity (in fact of the pottery assemblage for one in the Wigan area in the Roman period) from the site in general but (although this has not been suggesting that it had been there was little in the way of ruled out), the suggestion is deliberately dismantled and domestic material. This that it was probably attached may have been taken suggests the site was a public to a mansio5. elsewhere. Ian also commented building rather than a on how even more remarkable domestic residence or town High status was the age of its construction. house, which sometimes had Ian explained that the whole Pottery evidence puts the date heated rooms. The slight fall in site was evidently of a high of occupation between the late

1st century and early 2nd; a one site. date which has since been Post-Excavation 1. Samian-ware was high confirmed with evidence from Ian Miller and his team are quality table-ware imported archaeo-magnetic analysis for now feverishly working on from the continent and the last firing of the stokehole. post-excavation work to usually decorated with This came in at 137 AD, a date conserve and evaluate all the animal hunting scenes. which coincides with a general finds. This will eventually 2. Burgess or burgage plots push by the Romans into culminate in a special were parcels of land Scotland - a period of advance publication, funded by the belonging to the freeman or which eventually resulted in developers, Modus, which more wealthy residence of the formation of the Antonine will tell the full story based the Medieval borough. Wall stretching from the Clyde on the project’s discoveries. Typically they were long and to the Forth. Further information has narrow with the short end already emerged, such as the facing onto the street. Post-Roman previously mentioned last 3. A hypocaust was the Although the main structure firing of the stoke holes and Roman equivalent of under- was built in one phase there lately, the identification of floor central heating. It was some later activity on the flue tiles amongst the consisted of a concrete floor site in the Roman period, but quantities of building suspended on brick or stone this amounted to very little. As materials. These hollow tiles, pillars. Hot air from an well as the previously designed to channel the hot adjacent furnace room (or mentioned hearth inserted in gases from the under-floor stokehole) was forced under the hypocaust room, a deep heating up through the walls, the floor between the pillars trench was cut in the area would have been embedded and up through box flues around the plunge pool. This in the inside walls of the built into the walls. was offset from the pool by hypocaust rooms making 4. Amphora were large about a metre or so to the sure the whole structure was pottery vessels usually north and west side, but the kept warm. More associated with the function of this trench significantly, fragments of transportation of wine, oil remains unclear. The ‘voussior’ have been also or fish paste. archaeologists found no identified. These were special 5. A mansio was the Roman evidence of further occupation box flues which were shaped equivalent of a hotel or until the Medieval period into arch sections such that, travelodge where important when a number of pits were when put together, would dignitaries could stay on dug on the periphery of the form the barrel-vaulted roofs their travels. Many had site. Two of these pits were so typical of Roman attached facilities such as quite large and yielded a fair bathhouses. They were light bathhouses or gymnasiums assemblage of pottery dating and hollow enabling the hot (similar to a leisure centre). mainly from the 12th to 14th gasses to continue from the centuries. This has increased walls, through the vaulted Editor’s Note: the total number of Medieval roof and out at the top A detailed post excavation potsherds from the through small chimneys. assessment by Oxford excavations to over 300. It is Finally, arrangements are Archaeology North will be difficult to underestimate the currently being planned for a available shortly in History importance of this material in reconstruction of the Shop. The report (kindly our understanding of hypocaust to be displayed in authorised for public access by Medieval Wigan. To put it into the Grand Arcade Project Manager Ian Miller) is context, the total amount of development using as not the last word. Ian hopes to sherds discovered previously in much of the original material publish a definitive report the whole of Wigan is only as possible – a fine tribute containing all the expert about one tenth of the to Wigan’s Roman pottery analysis early in 2008. pottery discovered here at this heritage.

'Wiggin' Are You a SPEAK Real ‘Wiginner’?

1 Wot’s getten fer thi 10 Therz mooer meight on a 16 Ees geet a face uz long uz baggin’? ragmon’s trumpet a lampleeter’s pow What has your wife He certainly is very thin He’s got a miserable packed for lunch face 11 Worrart ‘avin’ aife ov? 2 ‘Oose yon lass mee- What would you like to 17 ‘Ees gon t’back wi’ eez mawin’at? drink? deggin’ can Who is the young lady He’s gone into the trying to attract your 12 ‘Ees geet ‘iz tap stopped garden with the attention? The landlord won’t watering can serve him any more ‘Ers uz foo’ uz a 3 drinks 18 Get thissell womm fer thi butcher’s dog tay She is a very attractive 13 ‘Awm gooin’ wom morn You get on home for young lady neet your tea I’ve decided to go home Dun’t ee’ favver iz fayther? 4 tomorrow night Awl gi’ thi’ o’ taste o’ He bears a striking 19 clog pie resemblance to his 14 ‘Ers neawt a peawnd father I’ll give you a good She’s a worthless person kicking 5 Why dussent tek thi face rattin’? 15 Aw con allus eight a 20 If ‘eed oni mooer meawth You are a really ugly piece ‘o moggy meight ‘eed a no face fot wash person I really fancy a piece of He’s got a really big cheese mouth 6 Yon lass ‘ull eight shop bread She is certainly not a very discriminating lady How Did You Score? 7 ‘Iz cap ‘ull ‘owd a bilin’ o’ peighs 20/20 Weel dun tha’ a real Wigginer He has a very big head 15/20 Tha’ noan dooin so bad, keep gooin’ wi’t yed 8 ‘Um uz slavvers iz nor deawn allus gormless Don’t always judge 10/20 Tha’ needs a bit mooer practice,owd corron from appearance

9 It favvers it’s gooin’t clod 5/20 Norr a great deal of hope, fur thi’, marrer it deawn It looks as if it’s going 0/20 Tha’ met uz weel get thissell womm deawn to rain heavily seawth. Tha’s noan geet nowt fot draw up ‘ere

WIGAN HERITAGE SERVICE

New Opening Hours for Heritage Services

Many of you will have seen previous press • ensuring the collection can be utilised releases, and taken part in our consultation through display and loans to local groups process to enable us to finalise our and schools; development and improvement plans for the future of the Heritage Service. The work has • up to £800,000 of improvements at the now been completed, and we will be History Shop, increasing access, exhibition introducing new opening hours and other and interpretation material, if an application related changes at the History Shop, Leigh to Heritage Lottery Fund is successful. Local History and Leigh Archives from Monday Jacqui Boardman, Chair of Wigan Leisure and 19th February. Culture Trust, said, “I would like to thank The change in opening times (which will be everyone who took part in the consultation reviewed in December 2007) follows extensive process. It was essential for us to know the consultation with customers, staff and main view of our customers in order to make the user groups. A statistical analysis of visiting appropriate decisions to move the service patterns from a comparable period last year has forward. The sample of people we spoke to or also been carried out to support this research. who filled in questionnaires ran to over 100 The changes have been implemented to allow customers and we had over 300 nominations us to deliver essential areas of the new vision of days and times to consider. for Wigan’s Heritage Services which includes: We have listened to everybody who has come • widening the delivery of school curriculum and talked to us and we are confident that the activities to around 2,700 schoolchildren per new hours will allow us to provide an excellent year; service. We have made appropriate changes to the original proposals where there has been • creating heritage based learning activities strong demand from our customers. This has for families and adults with special needs; been a testing time for Heritage Services and difficult decisions have had to be made but we • supporting Townships to develop local believe they are for the long-term benefit of all activities in their local environment; those who wish to discover heritage in Wigan Borough.” • establishing a 'Curating in the Community' programme; The changes are as follows. • assessing the heritage collection of the Trust (which holds 25,000 items);

History Shop Archives at Leigh - from 19th February - from 19th February Following consultation, the History Shop will Consultation has suggested that customers open for five days per week instead of the would like the service to be available for more proposed three days. The local family history than one day per week as originally proposed. service has been strengthened by recruiting We have decided to open the Archive search additional help at the Local History Desk and a room to appointments on two days per week. programme to train additional cover is underway. In response to demand, a more streamlined In addition, the Trust has introduced extra staff system allowing customers to make their own assistance during at least one of these days to microfilm copies has been introduced. Capacity allow the Archivist greater flexibility to carry will be increased in the near future through the out his duties whilst keeping the public search introduction of an additional reading machine. room supervised. Booking is required. Saturday morning openings will also be retained within the new opening hours. OPENING TIMES: Wednesday 10.00am - 4.30pm OPENING TIMES: Thursday 10.00am - 4.30pm Monday 10.30am - 3.00pm Tuesday 10.30am - 3.00pm For Heritage Archives (Leigh Town Hall) Wednesday Closed enquiries and bookings call 01942 404431 or Thursday 10.30am - 3.00pm 01942 828020. Friday 10.30am - 3.00pm Saturday 10.00am - 1.00pm For general History Shop enquiries call 01942 828128. For bookings call 01942 828020. Leigh Local History - from 26th February Access to the local history resources in Leigh will continue to be available in its normal section within Leigh Library during library opening hours. This includes access to the microfilms, even on days when the Local History Officer is not present. The Local History Officer will be available one evening and alternate Saturday’s in addition to the one day per week originally proposed. Booking is required. Local History Officer On Site: Thursday 9.00am - 7.00pm Saturday (Alternate) 9.30am - 4.00pm

For general enquiries call 01942 404459. For bookings call 01942 828020.

WIGAN HERITAGE NETWORK

What does heritage mean to you in your community?

This is the question being area. Happily, late in 2006 the The second invitation is for asked by the newly formed Chair of the Heritage Network you to do some thinking Wigan Heritage Network, was also able to take a seat at about your own area. The and it is set to generate the Partnership. Heritage Network is embarking some very interesting on an ambitious programme answers. The group are now going from to try and record all places of strength to strength and heritage interest in each The Wigan Heritage Network would like to offer two community. Being realistic, this was set up last year in response specific invitations to you, the will take some time, and so to another question set by the readers of Past Forward. the Network has allowed at Heritage Service to our least a year to collect this stakeholders, ‘what is heritage’? Firstly, the open invitation to information. However, without In May 2006 a group of get in touch and come along your help the project will representatives from local to a meeting of the group. The never be completed in such a societies, groups and Chairman, Joe Taylor from the timescale. As the people who communities got together in the Billinge Historical Society, said know and live in these History Shop for the inaugural communities, you are in the meeting. The group immediately “We need as best position to say what is saw a role for itself as an important in your area. The advocacy tool to lobby the Trust, many local plan is to compile a detailed the Council and other groups data base, and also lodge the and societies and as a self help groups information with the Council’s and support network for local Conservation officer, so that heritage groups of whatever represented as more informed decisions can sort throughout the Borough. be made when considering This meeting was facilitated by possible, all are future plans or planning the Community Empowerment applications. Unit of the Council and the eligible within group is benefiting from their If you or your group are continued support. our constitution interested in recording the and all will be important places in your area As the Heritage Service get in touch with Joe Taylor at however, we wanted more out welcome”. [email protected], or of such a powerful group. An go to the Wigan Heritage input into the Local Strategic The next two meetings are on Network website at Partnership, in the case of Friday 16th March and Friday www.wiganheritage.com for Heritage, the Cultural 15th June both at 11am at the more information. Partnership, that helps to History Shop, Library Street, shape Council policy in this Wigan.

Family History Wednesday 1.30pm and the price is £3.50 which 3.00pm. If you have Wigan includes your research pack Workshops at the roots then the collections at the and an hour and a half with History Shop will be available one of our experienced History Shop to get you started on your own researchers. research, if your ancestors Have you ever wondered hailed from further a field, the Workshops run up to the end what your family roots are? Friends will be on hand to give of June 2007 with more to be Done some research in the you advice as to where to go scheduled in the autumn. past but come to a dead next for your story. end and need advice to get If you are interested in joining started again? If you are interested the the Friends then please The Friends of Wigan Heritage workshops are very popular so contact us or our current chair Service run family history please book well in advance at Mr David Lythgoe through the workshops for beginners at the the History Shop or by History Shop, Library Street, History Shop every second telephoning 01942 828128, Wigan. Volunteering with the Heritage Service

If you love your local history and heritage and are interested in finding out more, why not consider volunteering with the Heritage Service?

If you have a few hours, or a few days, to spare each week then there may be a role for you. The Heritage Service runs an organised volunteer programme working with the extensive local collections and of course the public at all our venues. If you enjoy face to face contact we need volunteers to help researchers and amateur genealogists, or if ‘backroom’ work is more to your liking, generating lists, files and indexes for the collection are ongoing projects both in Wigan and Leigh.

For more information on how to get involved contact Christine Watts at The History Shop in Wigan on 01942 828020.

Letters from America

By Mr R Evans

them it will take me 3 years Before I can send for them myself but if you please to send them I will Except of them and if not I shall be very likely to change my state of life in this country if I had stop in England I should onely have been burdensome to the town the expence of sending them will be about 8 or 10 pounds that will be all, I shall stop for answer a few Months if you will not I shall Marry and go to Pittsburg 3 Hundred Miles from Philadelphia weaving is better here than in England but Amongst the many requests for other Trade is little better provisions is about help received by Henry Shepherd, Half price but single men has to pay so much the Atherton Overseer of the Poor, Boarding and washing” are two letters sent in 1831 and He continues on the reverse side: 1832 by Thomas Radcliffe Clewes from Philadelphia. In these letters, “The Captain of this vessel named John Wells will Bring them vey cheap I know I have had no each written without any concern answer from England this year Neither will I for punctuation or spelling, he write if she cannot come explains his reasons for emigrating, I Ham your makes pleas for assistance to help well wisher his family follow him, and also Thomas Radcliffe Clewes provides information about to be left at Globe Mill conditions in the new country.On Tavern North Street Germanstown Road the 5th of May 1831 he wrote: Philadelphia America” “To the Overseers of Atherton Township Why were these letters sent to the Atherton Gentlemen overseer? At this time, no matter where a I Make bold to write to you person was living, the responsibility for this letter to see if you are willing to send my providing relief in times of need lay with the wife and Children to come to me into Merica township in which they had gained what was my circumstances will not permit to send for termed a “settlement: in simplified terms the

place were they had been born. The fact that than in England What would have been the Thomas Radcliffe Clewes addressed his pleas Result had I continued in England I saw no for help to the Atherton overseer indicates that other Prospect than me and my Famaly being he regarded Atherton as his place of Burdonsome on the Parish and there Posterity “settlement”, though evidence from his letters, after them It is the duty of a parent if Possible and also the content of other items of to Settle his Children in a land where they and correspondence, indicates that he had moved there Children may by industry get Sufficient to Bolton before crossing the Atlantic. Bread this then is the country where a man may Purchase Wood Land at 6 shillings per His next letter, written in the following year, Acre a little Cultivation as the Land is good will shows that he did not carry out his threat to Produce sufficient of everything for family use abandon his family and leave Philadelphia. He thus Provided with eaconimy and Industry a still retained hopes that he could be reunited man need not to want Bread nor his Famaly in with his wife and children. this Country though I Confess that various person have gone Back to England some because they were so attached to the Land in wich they First drue there Breath others because they have Ruind there constitution by Drinking ardent Spirits then give the Country a bad name but First let the Poor Labouring man reason on the privaladges he here injouys from 3s to 4s per day and though he dose pay 9s He continues: and 10s per week for his Boarding he Better “When First I landed in the than the Poor man in England But if he has a Country it was but under Indifferent Famaly this may be the greater part of there Circumstances as a part of my passage money Soport so that it Cost Little more to mentain a was Paid down by Wm Nutall from Bolton family than pay Boarding and washing for Moor who Emigrated at the same time to this himself as the Later is is very dear Tobacco is Country after my arrival I had this Money to 6d p pound Liquors is very Cheap 1s..6d per Pay Back which I did as soon as I had earned it Galland Wholesale Butter 6d per pound Coffee by Industry and thus I maintained a steady and 6s..7d per pound that is 12 and 14 Cents of Industtrious Sourse in my employ and our Mony here as 100 Cents makes one Dollar endeavouring to a Cunulate something for the equal to 4s..2d English” means of my Famaly Comeing over When a las my fair hopes where Blasted by a long spell of He makes some general comments about Sickness and Dureing that sickness I had 9 conditions in America. shillings per week to pay English money for my Boarding and a Dockters Bill Then not only the Little money that I had was gone but I was Involved in Debt and this this Summer I have been Labouring under Servare actact of bilious Feavour so that my Circumstances dose not inable me to send money for my famalys Passage I have made a determination never to Return to England knowing that any Industrous man may provide for his Famaly better here

The letter concludes with another plea for the moved. In the meantime some relief could be overseer to assist his family to join him. provided on the understanding that it would be re-paid by the township responsible for her settlement.

There is a postscript asking that he be remembered to people he had left behind.

How were his wife and children faring while he was attempting to establish himself in the New World? ‘Radcliffe Clewes’ is a not a common surname in the records of the period. Thomas’s second letter includes the information that part In a second letter, written three months later, of the cost of his transatlantic passage was the Little Bolton Overseer, under some pressure paid by William Nutall of Bolton. It is therefore from Margaret’s mother, is asking Mr Shepherd reasonable to conclude that two other letters to confirm what level of relief should be received by Henry Shepherd during the same provided. period, expressing concern about the situation of an Elizabeth Radcliffe Clowes, are referring to this same family. Following her marriage a woman, no matter were she had originally come from, assumed the settlement rights of her husband. Though Elizabeth was then living in Bolton, the responsibility to provide relief was Atherton’s. The first letter concerns a Margaret Ratcliffe Clewes who was destitute, had just given birth, and was not expected to live. In these circumstances the magistrates could issue a removal order to return her to the The township documents do not provide a township responsible for her relief. This could conclusion regarding the fate of Thomas or his be suspended until she was fit enough to be wife. As is the case with the many hundreds of

similar items of Acknowledgement C/7/61/ 10 and /11 of the correspondence now in the The documents relating to Atherton Township records in archives we are presented Thomas and Margaret the archives in Leigh Town with brief episodes in the lives Radcliffe Clowes are amongst Hall. The writer acknowledges of Atherton people, who for items of correspondence the assistance of the archivist various reasons, sought help received by Atherton (Alan Davies) in making these from the Parish, but seldom Overseers of the Poor during documents available, and for any information of the the 18th and early 19 guidance to related sources of eventual outcome. centuries in folders TR Ath information.

Death of Mr Philip Loudon

Many readers will have read in the local press, of the death, on the 26 December 2006, of Mr Philip Loudon. He was a mental health worker at Leigh Psychiatric Unit and married to Councillor Susan Loudon.

He had a particular interest in local history, and was a key contributor to the borough’s Blue Plaque nomination scheme, which recognises historically important local people. His work, producing the ‘Local Heroes’ calendar, was recently featured in issue 44 of Past Forward. The calendar was sold to raise money for the Mayor’s Charity, the proceeds being divided between the Domestic Violence Unit’s drop in centre and the Victim Support and Witness Service. The Mayor of Wigan, Councillor Smethurst, said that the calendar would be a “tribute and testament” to him.

The Leigh MP, Andy Burnham and the Leader of the Council, Lord Smith, also paid tribute, describing him as “a life and soul type of guy” and a “truly delightful man”, to whom “Wigan owes an incredible debt”. Editor

SOCIETY NEWS

Wigan Archaeological Society Editor’s note: We are receiving very little We meet on the first Wednesday of the month at the District Scout HQ (Baden Powell Centre) information from the historical at the bottom of Greenough Street, starting at societies in the borough. Please 7.30pm. We usually have a speaker on the could you send in your night and trips in the Summer. The entrance lecture/activity programmes, and fee is £2 for members and £3 for guests. If you need more information contact the secretary, articles about the work of your Bill Aldridge on 01257 402342 or E-mail us on society. We have had queries [email protected] or visit our about Society News, asking why website www.Wiganarchsoc.co.uk. we did not publish a full page in Hindley History Society issue 44. The reason is simple, you are not contributing any We meet in the Museum at Hindley Library at material, we cannot publish what 7.00 pm on the second Monday of the month. The Museum is open three times a month on we do not receive! either a Wednesday, Friday or Saturday morning. For details please ring Mrs Joan Topping on 01942 257361 or Mrs Norma Brannagan on 01942 258668.

On 14th May we have talk by Sid Robinson - ‘Blackpool’ starting at 7.00 pm in the Museum. All members and non-members welcome. Atherton Heritage Society

Meetings held in St Richards Parish Centre, Mayfield St. Atherton, 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7.30pm. Admission £1.00 members, £1.50 non-members. Annual subscription - £3.00.

April 10th. "A Tale of Two Cities"- Manchester and Salford. Speaker - Margaret Curry.

May 8th "Antiques and Collector's Fair". Speaker - Betty Hayhurst..

June 12th " Mum's War" - Speaker - Dorothy Hindle.

No meeting in July. Contact No. 01942 884893- Margaret Hodge

FAMILY HISTORY

Additions to the Local and Family History Lancashire Parish Register Society Vol 162 Collection (for reference) Whalley 1653-1753 Lancashire Parish Register Society Vol 163 Donations Prescot 1766-1795 Lancashire Parish Register Society Vol 164 Dienstag, Eleanor In good company : 125 years Whalley 1754-1812 at the Heinz table 338.7664 St Michael CE Hawkshead Marriages 1754-1837 Haslett, J. Morris dancers & Rose Queens (Fiche) 394.250222 Heyes, Malcolm Secondary education and the General working class: Wigan 1920-1970. Pemberton St John Baptism registers 5 Aug Phillips, Peter The diaries of Bishop William 1832-1909 (2 vols) Poynter 1815-24 CRS vol 79 Pemberton St John Burials 15 June 1929-7 Sainsbury, Howard An informal history of St Jan 2007 Aidan’s Billinge 283.42757 Skelmersdale St Richard RC Baptism register 2 North West Labour History Group Journal No. July 1865-1 July 1951 31 On the verge of revolution 320.531 Skelmersdale St Richard RC Burials and Fortescue, JW A history of the British Army vols cremations 10 Jan 1866-18 Jan 2005 IX & X (maps) 355.00941 Skelmersdale St Richard RC marriage index 2 Marshall, Brian Lancashire’s medieval Dec 1876-15 Sept 1990 monasteries 726.7 Upholland St Thomas Baptisms 6 June 1607-28 Norris, Robert The Wigan Co-op gala 942.736 Dec 1735 Riley, Peter Haigh Hall and the Bradshaigh Upholland St Thomas Burials 5 Jan 1736-12 family 942.736 Aug 1825 Victoria history of the County of Oxford vol XV Genealogy 942.57 Microfilms Fowler, Simon Tracing your Second World War ancestors St Thomas CE Upholland Baptisms, marriages, Lancashire Parish Register Society All Hallows burials 1735-1901 (replacement reels) Mitton 1610-1719 (Fiche) Douglas in Parbold Christchurch CE Baptisms Lancashire Parish Register Society Vol 159 1809-1961, marriages 1862-1990, Burials All Saints Newton Heath 1875-1971. Bishop’s Transcripts 1719-1781, 1813-1855. Lancashire Parish Register Society Vol 160 Blackrod St Katherine 1701-1837 Eccleston St Mary CE Baptisms 1782-1923, Marriages 1817-1938, Burials 1813-1932; Lancashire Parish Register Society Vol 161 Bishop’s Transcripts 1616-1850. St Luke Heywood 1733-1812 St Joseph RC Wigan Baptisms 1871-1940, Marriages 1872-1940.

Project News Finally, you may have noticed the listing of new microfilmed resources. We have had many requests for films of the registers of Parbold A Happy New Year to all genealogists and Chapel, Wigan St Joseph RC and Eccleston St especially to all our volunteers, Friends and Mary. At last we have managed to purchase visitors. Last year was a very productive year in these. During the coming year, I am also the way of projects. In particular the Wigan hoping that we will be able to add further Cemetery indexes online at coverage of Roman Catholic registers for events www.wiganworld.co.uk have proved after 1900. exceedingly popular both locally and overseas. The History Shop staff have been kept busy looking up grave references and other additional information from the registers. Books Received Moves are afoot to add the grave locations of the earlier indexed entries to the database. Haslett, John Morris Dancers and Rose Queens : Meanwhile the gap between 1901-1908 is an anthology of reported carnivals and galas in being tackled by Barbara Davies. Knowing how West Lancashire to 1900. Fairhaven Press £35 hard Barbara works, it shouldn’t be long before the gap is plugged. An impressive work by Mr Haslett which aims to provide a reference source to Morris dancers Barbara has also been assisting the Pimbo and galas in the Victorian era in West Group, headed by Gerry and Shirley Rigby to Lancashire and to help further the speed up the completion of St John Pemberton understanding of the Morris Dance. Compiled indexes. They have now completed the final largely from local newspapers, there is a section and it is possible to search via the substantial amount of information on the excellent indexes, baptisms from 1832-2006 Wigan and Leigh areas with some illustrations and burials up to January 2007. At the same and an excellent index to the sources. Galas of time the group has produced indexes to the particular interest to local people will be the registers of St Richard RC Church at Wigan Infirmary Gala and May Queen festivals, Skelmersdale. They have now moved onto the notably at Worsley Mesnes, Lowton, Wigan registers of St Luke, Orrell. Since these registers Lifeboat Saturday, Golborne May Queen and have not yet been microfilmed and are in fact numerous other events chronicled in this lovely still at the church, this development is most book. A fascinating read for the serious welcome. researcher and the casual browser.

We would particularly like to thank all our volunteers who work so hard producing indexes and other material for public use. Without them, many researchers, especially those who cannot get to the History Shop, would not find it so easy to access information. They provide an invaluable service.

By The Mid Thirties Austin Lyons Depression and the Cotton Queen

The depression of the Dispatch’, launched an Blackpool for the Grand Final. mid-1930’s, or the ambitious scheme to The winner would become the ‘Slump’, as it was often find their own ‘Cotton ‘Cotton queen of Great Britain’ called, produced Queen’. Overnight, this lucky mill- something unique here worker became a changed All the ‘cotton ‘towns were personality. Being granted a in Lancashire. In an invited to select suitable effort to combat the year’s leave by her employers, candidates for the contest she received the required doom and gloom from their female employees. training and grooming for this affecting the economy of They set about this by starring role. This was to the country, the organising contests at local include being chauffeured dances and galas. The around to her various Lancashire cotton successful applicant at these industry, in conjunction engagements in a rather large events would become ‘queen’ limousine, accompanied by a with the allied of that town. Later this regal chaperone, usually the wife of newspapers’ ‘Daily group would be gathered in one of the executives of the Cotton Industry or Allied Newspapers. A journalist from the ‘Daily Dispatch’ also accompanied the party.

From the outset, the scheme proved outstandingly successful. Invitations quickly poured into the Allied Newspapers office in Manchester, as the presence of the Cotton Queen at a local function ensured its’ immediate success. The larger events in Manchester and Salford were covered by the ‘Daily Dispatch’ staff photographer, but the smaller, parochial functions further a field were left to the local freelances. That is where I The Rose Queen of Sacred Heart Church, Hindley Green presents a bouquet to the Cotton Queen when she arrives at a gala dance held in came into the picture, so to the parish hall. speak.

The authorities became so inundated with requests for the Cotton Queen’s attendance, that it was not unusual for her to attend two functions in one evening. I remember being in one of these ‘dual events’. The first was at Upholland at 8pm, and then I had to catch two buses to get to the second at Abram for around 9.30pm. On arrival here at the Parish School Hall, I met as usual with the secretary, and after discussing my photographic requirements, he asked me with a smile “Do you play the piano?” I replied that I did, and then out of the blue The official group of the Cotton Queen with guests of honour and clergy he continued, ”Could you play at the gala dance, Sacred Heart Church Hall, Hindley Green. ‘She’s a lassie from Lancashire’ Seated l to r - Mrs Nesbit, Father Andrew, the Cotton Queen, Father when the Cotton Queen Gregory. arrives?” I agreed, and said I Standing l to r – Miss C Baron (headmistress), chaperon to the Cotton would do my best. I set up my Queen, Miss Nesbit, Dr Nesbit, Father Huxtable. The children are the Rose camera equipment, placed Queen and the ex Rose Queen. them in a corner, and sat down at the piano. I must have been rather late in the evening. After a few minutes I managed chuckling away inside at the Unfortunately, due to some to peer into the gloom and hilarious position I had now hold up, she arrived well locate our position. The car found myself in. I hadn’t long behind the scheduled time. had in fact, mounted the to wait, when the door opened This gave me concern as to pavement and crashed just and the Cotton Queen entered, whether I could afford to wait under the bridge. After a short the place erupted with much and still catch my two buses spell our driver successfully clapping and cheering. I belted home. The ‘Daily Dispatch’ extricated the car and out ‘She’s a lassie, etc.’ and reporter soon became aware of managed to get on the road everyone joined heartily in the my predicament, and I was on again, this time with the ‘Daily singing. I then suddenly the point of leaving when he Dispatch’ reporter walking a realised that I was positioned said ”If you want to hang on few feet ahead, waving his alongside the ‘processional and take your photographs, handkerchief to indicate the route’. As the Cotton Queen we’ll give you a lift home as edge of the kerb. After a mile approached, and saw me we go through Hindley”. With or so, at the Ince boundary, I playing away, she couldn’t this kind of assurance I relaxed took over from the reporter contain herself and with a and in due course took my and performed the same task cheeky grin as she passed said: usual photographs, eventually for the remaining two miles to “No, not you again !” and I joining the Cotton Queen and Hindley. moved on to the stage for the her party for the return trip. All official reception and later, my went well until just outside Arriving in Market Street, I took usual photographs. Wigan we encountered a dense leave of the Cotton Queen and wall of fog, visibility down to a her party, jokingly thanking Another occasion was few feet. We managed to crawl them for the ‘lift’ home, and memorable for quite different through the town centre, and disappeared into the mist. The reasons. Once again, I found were approaching Darlington following morning, the ‘Daily myself far out on the outskirts Street railway bridge, when of Wigan, this time, I believe, it there was a terrific crash. We Dispatch’ carried the story was the Orrell district. The were all badly shaken, but –“Cotton Queen in Fog Crash Cotton Queen was to visit here thankfully, no-one was injured. at Wigan”.

Bay Horse Hotel at Whelley

Thank you to all who contacted me about the Bay Horse Hotel at Whelley, in particular Mr Cyril Brindle whose uncle, Walter Valentine Brindle, and spittoons, but Mrs between the ground and was landlord until 1946. Brindle, the landlord’s wife, upper floors. Downstairs there Uncle Walter became the put a stop to this practice, was a sitting/dining room, proprietor in 1931, which must have been a kitchen come pantry, and a following licensee George nightmare for the cleaner. The laundry room. Upstairs there Highfield next room along was known were possibly four bedrooms, as ‘The Snug’, which women and a bathroom, although On visiting Cyril. I took some would use. Facing the Vault Cyril had little occasion to go notes about his memories of was the ‘best’ room. Cyril into this part of the building. the public house, he referred to this as the Parlour, The family also had a female remembered the layout very although some may have servant. well. The Bay Horse was called it the Lounge. Next situated at 112 Whelley on the door was the ‘Singing Room’, As with many public houses in corner of Wallace Lane. The which had a piano. In the those days, various people main entrance was on passageway, next to the would use the function rooms Whelley, and from the road Singing Room, were the cellar for ‘hatch, match and there were three steps up into steps and doorway. The cellar despatch’. However, it is a vestibule entrance. The inner ran under the Vault and known that the Antediluvian vestibule door opened onto a Parlour, and the drayman’s Order of Buffaloes or ‘Buffs’ corridor which ran the full trapdoor was in the pavement met at the Bay Horse, with length of the pub, with rooms on Wallace Street. The two lodges meeting on on either side, and a set of staircase at the bottom of the different nights. George stairs at the bottom. The passageway led up to the Highfield had been heavily landlord’s downstairs living function rooms (Cyril thinks involved in the George Lodge, accommodation was sited at there may have been two) and and Walter Brindle may also the left-hand side, at the back the women’s toilets. The have allowed the Balcarres of the building. men’s toilets were in a Lodge to meet there. Cyril said substantial, paved yard at the that Walter’s wife, Elizabeth The first door on the right led back of the pub. Private living Alice, stopped the ‘Buffs’ to the Vault. There was accommodation for the using the Bay Horse for originally sawdust on the floor licensee and family was split meetings because they were

caught bringing their own over again. There was method would enter the pub via the drink in, and spending in this seeming madness! All back entrance and the yard. nothing at the bar! the money collected paid for Under her shawl she carried a the annual Picnic Club outing, jug, which was filled with beer Cyril also remembered many which was a good day out for from the off licence serving of the ‘goings on’. There was many who could probably hatch, at the bottom of the a very large picture hanging never have afforded to join in. corridor. The jug would then over the fireplace in the vault, be covered by a cloth and and his Uncle Walter used to Another memory involved the placed back under her shawl dip a half a crown in beer and Storey family, who lived close and presumably the lady place this on the glass in the by. Here, it is interesting to would carry it back for her centre of the picture. The note, that according to husband. We will never know customers would then add to electoral records an Alice, if she even had a ‘tipple’ this with loose change, usually Thomas, Albert and Doris herself! pennies, from beer purchases. Storey lived at number 222 Once the picture was full, the Whelley. Like many women in Dianne Teskey, Community money would be removed, those days, Mrs Storey would Outreach and Education and the process started all purchase off licence sales. She Officer.

Ince Church Lads Brigade St Joseph’s Players, Leigh Reunion The St Joseph’s Players meet and perform at the parish hall of St Joseph’s RC Church in Leigh, and have been performing a traditional pantomime My name is Ken Rutter, I used to be the since 1947. These pictures show them in a 1953 Officer in charge of the Church Lads performance of ‘Old King Cole’ and this year’s Brigade at Ince Parish and later became ‘Sinbad the Sailor’. However, they claim to be one Captain of the 1st Wigan Boys Brigade (Ince Parish). I am organising a reunion on of the oldest drama societies in Britain, tracing the 15th of June this year to be held at their history back to the 1840’s. We will be Rose Bridge Rugby Club off Manchester publishing a history of the society, written by Road Ince (behind Vartys) for anybody their members in the next issue (46) of Past who was involved in any Church Lads Forward, which promises to be of great interest Brigade or Boys Brigade in Wigan and to our theatre buff readers. District. I have been in contact with various members through Friends Reunited and Wigan World and in fact Fred Rosbottom contacted me from Australia to say that he was coming over in June and would love to come to the Reunion Come along for 8.00 p.m. you can bring the Mrs and the photographs but don't bring the bugles PLEASE. Lets have a good old nostalgic night talking about the old times (don't forget the hankies!!!).

I can be contacted via www.wiganworld.co.uk or [email protected] or the good old fashioned way by telephone 01257 792394.

Happy 700th Birthday The Church of St. Thomas By Alan Miller

Social and community events include suppers, dinners and lunches, theatre productions, a In 2007, St. Thomas the Martyr, Pageant and Festival, a Medieval Fayre, a Upholland, celebrates the 700th Victorian Fayre, a Flower Festival, and a Pilgrimage Walk from London to Canterbury. anniversary of its original Music of al types will feature in the foundation. The declared aim of celebrations, with organ recitals, brass band the Venerable Peter Bradley, concerts and a family disco all arranged. The work of local artists will be on show, and there Rector of Upholland, was to will be an exhibition of Upholland through the mark the special year with “the ages, featuring old photographs. The highlight of the exhibition is likely to be the painting of biggest birthday party Upholland the village and church by Wigan artist, Charles has ever seen.” Years of planning Towne, in 1815, which is kindly being loaned by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust Heritage by Canon Bradley and Associate Services. Vicar, Reverend Judith Ball, and a To set the scene for the special year, I have team of dedicated parishioners written a book, entitled Upholland Church: have resulted in a plethora of 1307-2007 published by the European Library. In 1307 the local landowner, Robert Holland, religious events and social established a chantry in Upholland, and when activities throughout the year. this failed, he founded a Collegiate College of 13 Canons in 1310. This also failed, partly because of the remoteness and wildness of In addition to the usual church services, a Upholland in the Middle Ages, and partly number of special religious services have been because of lack of money. Eventually, in 1319, arranged. These special services will be led by Robert Holland obtained approval of the Bishop visiting clergy, including the Archbishop of of Lichfield to endow a Benedictine monastery York, the Bishop of Liverpool, the Bishop of in Upholland. Until the monks were displaced Warrington, and a host of former incumbents at the Dissolution of the Monasteries in 1536, who will be recalling their memories of their Upholland Priory played a prominent role in time at Upholland Parish Church. The church Upholland’s religious and economic life. services will culminate on 29 December 2007, Amongst the prized possessions were bones of with the St. Thomas the Martyr Service, Thomas Becket, and pilgrims were attracted to Thomas Becket being the patron saint of Upholland by these holy relics. However, it Upholland church. (Archbishop Becket was remained Lancashire’s ‘poorest monastery’. murdered in Canterbury Cathedral, 29 (These two centuries are commemorated each December,1170.) July by a Benedictine Week in Upholland.)

The Priory Church and Village of Upholland by Charles Towne 1763-1840

After the Dissolution of the Monasteries, century, there were six church schools in Upholland was allowed to keep its church , Upholland. Three remain in the village, at Roby mainly because it was too far and too difficult Mill, and Digmoor. for locals to get to Wigan Parish Church. It continued to be poor, but schoolmaster Adam The fortunes of Upholland Church fluctuated Martindale was attracted to Upholland by its violently during the 18th and 19th centuries, ‘pretty church tower’. In 1643, Parliament partly reflecting the quality, or lack of agreed to ‘divide the Church of commitment, of the various incumbents, such Holland……from the rest of the parish of as ‘the galloping parson’. The fortunes Wigan, and make it a distinct Church and descended to a nadir in the mid 19th century, Parish itself’. The Civil War prevented royal when Upholland Church was practically signature being applied to this ordinance, and derelict. Fortunately, in 1881, a saviour Upholland remained a chapel of ease of Wigan appeared by the name of Frederic Daustini Parish Church. Cramer. In less than a decade, Rev Cramer transformed the building, by the addition of a Despite its own relative poverty, parishioners of new chancel, and revitalised the congregation Upholland were willing philanthropists. They and parish. A series of vicars built on these contributed to special collections for others less foundations, and the magnificent ancient fortunate because of fires, wars, disasters or church is there to be admired in 2007. the plague. They were also great supporters of education. After the Civil War, Upholland The details of Upholland Church’s long and Church was instrumental in the foundation and eventful history are chronicled in my book, governance of Upholland Grammar School, which contains 76 photographs, and costs £10. which is now Winstanley College. It also I am donating profits to Upholland Church. recognised the importance of elementary Copies may be obtained from Dr. Allan Miller,8, education. During the 19th and early 20th Holgate Drive, Orrell, Wigan, WN5 8SL.

YOUR LETTERS

Dear Editor Dear Editor Dear Editor

Reading Bob Blakeman’s Further to the letters by Tony Almost every page of Issue 44 account of the industrial Berry and Frank Winnard of Past Forward evokes a activity at the Brock Mill Forge (issues 44 and 43) I felt I memory of ‘Old Wigan’.. I am in the middle of the 18th would like to write to you ashamed to admit that I had century was absolutely with my memories of the not visited the History Shop, fascinating. I was particularly threshing machine on until 2006, when members of intrigued by the account of which my father, Joe The Over 50’s Forum escorted the secret screw cutting Anderton, worked with Bill a group from Angers (Wigan’s machine invented by ‘Merlin’. Berry for many years. twin town in France) who As an engineer myself, I know were paying us a reciprocal that the development of I used to follow the threshing visit. I remember The History automatic screw cutting has a machine when I was a lad, Shop as part of the old library, long history. and have fond memories of where a friend of mine being able to chase the worked in reading room. She In fact, when I looked into it, I rabbits, rats and mice when expended a lot of energy found that the first patent the hay was trying to enforce a rule about was recorded by the brothers being cut. The time I liked how a long a person could Joss and William Wyatt in best was lunch time or stay in the nice, warm, sleep- 1760, but it was ten years ‘baggin' as it was inducing room. Her name was later before Jesse Ramsden known then. The farmers wife Phyllis Alker, and we both built the first satisfactory would bring the ‘baggin' (a lived in Worsley Mesnes, screw cutting machine. The large amount of sandwiches in where we attended St. machine at Brock Mill was a cane basket and a large James’s Cof E School. The obviously a very successful container full of tea). I have authorities decided to close St. device, enough at least to thought many times in this James’ School, and decreed attract the attentions of a day and age Mr Berry and my that pupils go to Scot Lane foreign spy. The fact that this dad would have had to wear School. My mother decided was at least five years before ear plugs for the noise, that it was too far for her the Wyatt patent, and a good goggles to protect their eyes three daughters to walk, and 15 years before Jesse and a face mask to protect instigated a strike. We got a Ramsden’s machine, suggests them from the chaff created bus! I wonder if that was the that maybe we need to re- when the threshing machine first free school bus? It is over write the history books with was working. 70 years ago! regard to screw cutting technology and put industrial I would like to hear from any We moved from Worsley Wigan at its heart (yet another of the two men Tony Berry or Mesnes to Ormskirk Road, first for the town). Frank Winnard. Pemberton, where my mother took over a shop, previously Bill Aldridge, Bill Anderton, known as ‘The Dairy’. My Wigan Wigan mother and I used to go very early to the Farmers Wholesale Editor’s note: If either of the Market, to buy produce for above gentlemen wish to the shop, some of which we contact Mr Anderton, please carried back on the bus. One telephone the History Shop of the farmers dropped off the and I will pass on his address. really heavy things on his way

home. Our home was next Men’s Society was very strong Dear Editor door to the shop, and my in the Wigan area. It was sister and her husband used decided that one Sunday there Until a few days ago, I had the warehouse attached to the would be a big rally of never heard of Past Forward, back of the shop, as a place to C.Y.M.S. members from all the but an old lady was throwing store and to sell shoes. Now churches in the area. There one away, when my wife said I as I drive along Ormskirk would be a procession round think my husband will read Road, it seems that in every Wigan Market Square and a that. I have now read it and row there is a house where a dais would be erected, from really enjoyed it, especially the relative has lived at some which Archbishop Downey letter about J H Naylor’s Brass time. I have a vague memory would address them, followed Foundry in Stairgate. I served of caravans parked where B&Q by Benediction. my apprenticeship from 1958- and Asda now stand. 1964 there, and left in 1965 This was to be followed in the for Hawker Siddeley. The Florence Broomfiled. evening, by an assembly in funny thing was that I wasn’t Ashton-in-Makerfield. one of the Wigan theatres, given any indentures to prove where the Archbishop would that I had served my time. So I Editor’s note: Florence again address them. The men had to ask the manager to Broomfield has written a were to occupy the seats in write me a letter to say I had book of poems, The Spirit of the stalls, circle, upper circle served my apprenticeship, Wigan, inspired by the and gallery. There were a small because I would need it in the sculpture of the same name number of seats in “the gods” future. The same Manager at the Landgate roundabout. for any women who wished to once got on the roof, when it It is due out at the end of attend. was raining hard in his suit February. trying to clear the gutters. Mr The scene was set, everyone in Atty mentions going for coke, Dear Editor place, and the Archbishop when I was there it was put in walked up the middle aisle, to the cobbled yard between the I was interested to read Austin the strains of “Faith of our machine shop and the Lyon’s account of Archbishop Fathers”. He ascended the foundry. I used to fill a tea Downey’s laying the stage, he was introduced and chest with the coke then foundation stone of St he stepped forward to give his wheel it to the top of the Thomas More’s R.C. School in address. He gave as his text cellar in the machine shop Wigan, in the December issue “Man is a little lower than the next to the geyser then drag it (44) of Past Forward. angels”. He paused, his gaze down to the furnace went up slowly through all the sometimes the steps were Although I left Hindley, when I tiers of men, and it alighted slippy with people throwing married in the early 1940’s, I on the few women who were their remnants of their brew remember Austin well. He seated, almost touching the cans down. Me and old Joe sang in the choir of St roof. A broad smile spread who used to pack the tea Benedict’s Church, Hindley, over his face, everybody chest with valves, used to go where my father was the clapped and then he to Laycock’s in Greenough organist. Also they were both proceeded to speak. Street for shavings to put in interested in photography. the tea chest with the valves Mrs Marjorie Bryden for transporting. I used to I have another anecdote to tell (nee Lowe) look forward to this, to get of Archbishop Downey. In the Eastbourne. out of the factory, and walk 1930’s, the Catholic Young down the River Douglas.

YOUR LETTERS

Another job we had to do, Primary when Mr. Seddon was Norman Turner the butcher, was clean the toilets, not one I headmaster, and I remember who I remember well. Another looked forward to. In winter Miss Platt, Miss Evans and Mr character that comes to mind one of the lads nicknamed Lancaster. Mr Lancaster would is "Jack tomorrow" the chemist ‘Firebobby’ would leave paper have been my first male on Manchester Road near and wood plus a match so the teacher, and I was Clarington Forge. He got that first one in could start the fire. disappointed when he was name because he never had I used to work on a centre called into the air force and any prescription ready when lathe upstairs, belt driven with his place was taken by Miss he said that it would be, and a shaft across the length of Evans. However, Miss Evans you where always told to the shop. When the belt broke was a fine teacher. I also come back tomorrow. we would mend our own. I attended Ince Secondary had the ladder propped up Modern, and remember Mr Keep up the good work, and against the shaft, when the Staveley very well, in fact, I remember that their are lots ladder moved, and I fell on still have his letter of of people living away from top of a pile of valves on the introduction to a future Ince, but Ince will always be floor and hurt my back. No employer, written in home. The photograph that I paramedics in those days I November 1945. He also have sent is circa 1950, Alf has had to walk downstairs and wrote to me again in August the ball between his feet, I am wait for a bloke in the office 1951, asking what courses I on his left, and Colin to take me home and then go had taken, as he liked to Garlington is on my left. On to the doctors at night. I could publish news of ‘old boys’ the back row in the suit is Ken go on a lot more but I think successes in the annual Hodgekiss. Roy Appleton is on I’ll leave it for another time. governors report. My last the back row, extreme right. teacher there was Mr The names of the other Hockleshaw, "Little 'Ocky" to The place was run by the players, I cannot remember. his pupils. He was a very fine Smiths who we had to call Mr man, with a sense of humour, Edwin and his son Mr Harry Granville Johnson and taught me a lot more (Flash) who had an E type Vancouver, about life than just the jaguar. Canada curriculum. Elsie mentioned Mr R J Pugh, Wigan Dear Editor

I live in Vancouver on the west coast of Canada. My cousin, Sheila Dewhurst sends me copies of Past Forward. The article by Elsie Alker brought back lots of memories.

My Granddad built " The Bungalows " in Holt Street, where I lived for 25 years. I also went to Rosebridge

How to Find Us

E T Y A History Shop P A A R G S W O M H S K P N E I S R S D N A W E N P A S A P Library Street, T L R S K NO TESCO 9 D R 4 T P T HW A S AY T E Wigan WN1 1NU P K PO ST R WELL

A MARKET

M P C

W R ST Telephone 01942 828128

E O D M R N M A A THE P P 9 H R T C H GALLERIES O 4 K E N R S A FROG ST A E T T O [email protected] L A BUS T

L G D P G STA. S O T H A S Y R T I S N E D A C H I N W O N A SAT O T G L S S ONLY E T R L L EE A O M E TR CH S L I P V S I K I L B L I R N R G G A A E W S R T T T Y E A W LG A WALLGATE S R G . T IL RE STA. K M R A I I T N N G G EO S G R T T G O E NORTH N ST

WEST STA. L 9 4 A A

HISTORY HISTORY Q P

U A C SHOP A E L D R E A N RL O L IN L S E GTON ST A IN T P P 5 E A 7 H 3 ST C P

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

N S TR ARCARCHIVES HIVE S Telephone 01942 404559 O IN G S ER S LEIGLEIGHH N T P I B RADS K TOWN HALL HAW Y T GA L O TE S U I D T S E T S T W R S E K BO M UG O G S HE E Y O N BUS L GAS ST I ST C L K STATION E

MARKET Archives P SQUARE

SPINN ING JENNY WAY T

D S R Y Leigh Town Hall,

S R N O SUPER E G L E MARKET R E G SUPER Leigh WN7 2DY H MARKET T S Telephone 01942 404430 [email protected]