Issue No. 37 July – November 2004

Produced1 by Heritage Service FREE

From the Editor Retirement at the History Shop This edition of Past Forward reflects BARBARA MILLER, Heritage Assistant, manner. If she could not answer your the many exciting things which are retired on 6 June. It was a memorable query herself, she always knew going on in the Heritage Service at day for her. Not only was it the someone who could. the moment. There is an excellent beginning of a new and exciting stage Barbara joined the then Wigan exhibition programme for the rest of in her life, but also her 60th birthday (I Museum Service at Wigan Pier in 1985 the year, for example, as you will see am sure she will not mind that and, I am glad to say, remained with us – and our new exhibition leaflet will revelation!) and of course, she was a through our transformation into Wigan be out very soon. You can also read ‘D’ Day baby! Heritage Service and the development about the increasing range of Many of you will have met her on of the History Shop. In the past, she not the reception desk at the History Shop, only undertook a variety of clerical ventures in which our Friends have and been impressed by her duties for us, but also spent many been engaged. knowledgeable, friendly and efficient hours working on the museum I would draw your attention to collections, helping to make them more the questionnaire which appears in accessible. this issue – designed as a pull-out On her last day at work, we all had insert, as I know many of you a good laugh reminiscing about old treasure your copies of Past Forward, times. It made us realise what a and don’t wish to start tearing out valuable colleague we were losing. pages. The purpose of this However, her plans for the future (after questionnaire is two-fold. Firstly, we a period enjoying her new found leisure would like to find out more about time!) include voluntary work, what you think about the magazine hopefully at the History Shop. So, we – although it has been a huge wish her a happy retirement, and look success and many of you write to tell forward to welcoming her back! me how much you enjoy it , I am sure there is still room for improvement. So here’s your opportunity to have Wigan Heritage Service your say. The Heritage Service has three main outlets – the History Shop, Archives and Leigh Local Secondly, we are asking questions History. Please note that all telephone numbers have a 01942 code. If no individual email about the Heritage Service itself, address is listed, please use [email protected] which we would like all users – and that includes those of you who have never actually visited our outlets but The History Shop may have been in touch by email, Library Street Wigan WN1 1NU. letter or phone – to complete this. Tel: 828128 (general enquiries), 828020 (local history desk – research enquiries and As an incentive to fill in the bookings). Fax: 827645. Email: [email protected] questionnaire, we will enter you in Opening hours: Mon 10.00 -7.00; Tues - Fri 10.00-5.00; Sat 10.00-1.00 our prize draw. Apart from the information you send us being useful Archives in itself, it will also be of great help Town Hall Leigh WN7 2DY. Tel: 404430 (general enquiries). Fax: 404425 to us as we move towards Charter Opening hours: Tues-Thur 10.00 - 4.30 (by appointment) Mark accreditation. As you will see, this issue has a Leigh Local History very definite emphasis on the War Turnpike Centre Leigh Library Civic Square Leigh WN7 1EB. Tel: 404559 Fax: 404567 years – very fitting, in view of the Opening hours: Mon, Thur, Fri 9.30-7.00, Tues 10.00-7.00; Wed 9.30-5.00; recent ‘D’ Day commemorations. Sat. 10.00-3.30 Which brings me to a very special ‘D’ Day baby – Barbara Miller was born Staff on that very day, and 60 years later Alastair Gillies – Heritage Services Manager (and Editor of Past Forward) – Tel: she has just taken her leave of us. 488468 Fax: 488479. Email: [email protected] We will miss her greatly. Philip Butler – Visitor Services Manager – 827594 – [email protected] I hope you enjoy this bumper Yvonne Webb – Collections Development Manager – 828123 – [email protected] issue of Past Forward, and that you Heritage Officers all have a wonderful summer – when Tony Ashcroft – Local History, Leigh – 404559 it eventually arrives! Alan Davies – Archives – 404431 – [email protected] Mike Haddon – Industrial History – 828121 Claire Hawkins – Community Outreach & Education - 828124 – [email protected] COPY DEADLINE Christine Watts – Local & Family History – 827404 Please note that the copy Heritage Assistants deadline for issue no 38 Elizabeth Fairclough – 828128. Hilary Fairclough – 828128. of Past Forward is Stephanie Tsang – 828128 1 October 2004. Technical All comments and correspondence should Len Hudson – Senior Technician & Photographer – 404432 be addressed to: Terry Meehan – Museum Technician Editor, ‘Past Forward’, Wigan Heritage Service, Observer Buildings, Cover: From one of local artist David Barrow’s splendid paintings of Wigan Wood Street, Wigan WN3 4ET Casino (see opposite). From October, David will have his own website - Email: [email protected] www.davidbarrowpaintings.com 2

Events and Activities For details of all our future events see the What’s On booklet published by Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust and available Wigan on the Map – on now at the throughout the borough, or check our web site www.wlct.org. History Shop For further information about events and activities contact the A highly colourful and creative ‘map’ (28 giant panels History Shop on 01942 828128. For Education and Outreach featuring embroidered, painted and knitted images) made by service please contact: Claire Hawkins, Heritage Officer community groups from all over Wigan Borough to celebrate (Community Outreach & Education) on 01942 828124 or the new Millennium. The images reflect the best loved email [email protected]. aspects of each area, whether it is the local church, pub, legends or community organisation. Northern Soul Talks and tours available by advanced booking for groups Don’t miss our forthcoming exhibition Wigan Casino – The and societies (tel: 01942 828128). Heart of Soul which opens in October. It will tell the tale of the impressive Empress Ballroom on Station Road from its opening in 1915 through the war years and the bands of the 1950’s and 1960’s. The sprung maplewood dance-floor was home to generations of young dancers. The exhibition features wonderful paintings by local artist David Barrow (see cover) plus stories and memorabilia from soul fans who were there at Wigan’s famous Allnighters between 1973 and 1981. Why not come and add your memories about the Casino Club, or the building’s previous incarnation as the Emp, to our memory book. Photo Identification Session 25 August If you have old photographs at home, why not show them to our photographic expert, Len Hudson and ask his advice. Len can tell you how to date and look after your family photographs. Drop in to the History Shop (Library Street, Wigan) on Wednesday 25 August anytime between 2 and 4pm. Photographic Fun Free Family Fun at the Come and visit the Victorian photographer’s studio in our History Shop new exhibition The Family Album, where you can dress up like After a very successful first year of Family Fun activities, a Victorian and pose for a family portrait. Please bring your attended by nearly 400 participants over the year, the History own camera. Shop is continuing to run these sessions, which will be even bigger and better! Family activities run on most Wednesdays "… acquire your own piece of history …" during school holidays. Sessions are free and the finished product can usually be taken home. Heritage Estates UK The activities have become so popular that it is now advisable to book a place in advance. Families are still The perfect gift for any occasion welcome to turn up on the day, but we cannot guarantee for anyone with an interest everyone a place without prior booking. Activities start at in Wigan 2pm and 3pm and last about an hour. All children must be accompanied by an adult. www.heritage-estatesuk.com Wednesdays 28 July, 4 August, 11 August, 18 August Tel: 00 44 1942 770202 Sessions at 2pm and 3pm Fax: 00 44 1942 770205 Phototastic E-mail: [email protected] Contact: Richard Weston Linked to our exhibition The Family Album, arts and crafts Heritage Estates UK, Caroline Street, Wigan, , , WN3 4EL sessions for families with children aged 5-12 years. Continued on page 4 3

Events and Activities Continued from page 3

Free Family Fun at the History Shop Wednesday 27 October Sessions at 2pm and 3pm Wigan Casino - with artist Gaye Chorlton Make your very own miniature northern soul dancer!

To book your place call 01942 828128. Admission FREE For details of the sessions see our leaflets or website www.wlct.org. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Over Whit half term holiday, families made their own miniature museums, which are on display as part of the Far Flung Places exhibition at the History Shop until 17 July (see right). Exhibitions at the History Shop We are currently planning our exhibition programme for 2005 photography was expensive) to the more relaxed photos with and through to August 2006; we will let you know about it as which we are familiar today, as technology and price have soon as it is finalised. Meanwhile our current season goes on. made it easier for us to own our own cameras. We then move on to the annual exhibition of Wigan Photographic Society, and end with the annual exhibition of Atherton Photographic New exhibition leaflet Society. You will also be able to see Victorian camera Look out for our new exhibition leaflet, which is due out in equipment, pose for your own photographs and bring July. It has the handy ‘how to find us’ map, our telephone photographs in for identification. More details of this from our numbers and email and web addresses. This will take us to Community Outreach and Education Officer, Claire Hawkins the end of 2004. (tel: 01942 828124). Far Flung Places Wigan Casino: The Heart of This exhibition, on until 17July, showcases some of the Northern Soul objects from foreign climes in the museum and archive collections on the theme of travel. Most of them were brought 11 October – 19 February 2005 back by local people who lived and worked in the foreign Our final exhibition of the year. This exhibition explores and territories of the British Empire. There are Egyptian items celebrates the history of a local dance hall credited by many as from the Sir John Scott Collection, African tribal items from the birthplace of Northern Soul. Built in 1915 the building the Kerfoot and Mrs Hopkins Collections and seashells from firstly named the Empress Ballroom (known in Wigan as the the South Seas collected by an 18th century adventurer from Emp) became world famous in it’s later incarnation as Wigan the Bankes family. You can also look at a selection of mini- Casino. From 1973 to the early 1980’s the scene was massive, museums made by local children, and make your own with soul fans travelling across the country for the regular postcards, which we will display. “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 Family Album the American music magazine Billboard. Eventually 2 August – 25 September demolished in 1982, Wigan Casino is now the subject of books, A feast of photography! For those of you who are passionate paintings, a touring play, regular articles in the press and about photography, do not miss it! This is a series of three television documentaries. Soul DJs and their network of fans exhibitions, which showcases our own collection and continue to “keep the faith” with many events, fanzines and highlights the talent we have within the borough. We open radio programmes. Many local people have memories of the with a look at family photographs from Victorian times to the “Allnighters”, the atmosphere, the unique style of dancing, the present. All those milestones in our daily lives will be there, record traders, and the rare 1960’s soul records re-discovered such as the christening, first class in school, summer holidays for a new audience. and the wedding. You will also be able to see the development Yvonne Webb of the family photograph from the posed studio portrait (when Collections Development Manager 4

A Family Business in Wigan

WILLIAM Lonsdale went the Preston, Chipping, Widnes, St.Helens and Street, Wigan. into business as a grocer Ribchester and Longridge even as far away as The Egg Marketing at 52 School Lane, Wigan, areas, buying eggs and Southport. On the death Board came into being in c. 1913. In the early cheese, and bringing of Goodier, Lonsdale took 1957, from which time all 1920’s he went into part- them back to their prem- over the business and ran eggs had to be checked nership with a Mr. ises in Crompton Street, it as “Lonsdale & Sons” and stamped with the Goodier as egg and cheese Wigan for resale in the with his three sons, little lion brand at Silver merchants; they would local shops and markets Edward, John and Joseph. Street before sale to local travel around farms in in Wigan, Warrington, During World War II shops. The business the firm was stopped from ceased trading in 1969. collecting eggs from the John Lonsdale, who local farms due to petrol has provided me with rationing, but continued this information, has in business by purchasing deposited his family eggs from Northern & archive of photographs Southern Ireland. After (some of which are the war Lonsdales went reproduced here) with back to farm collections. Wigan Heritage Service They also sold turkeys for safe keeping; it and chickens at is a valued collection, Christmas; in the early illustrating as it does a days, these came in crates local business within the from Ireland, still borough. John still lives feathered, so that they in his hometown of had to be plucked and Wigan. The Lonsdale family, School Lane cleaned before sale. In Len Hudson 1953 the firm moved into Senior Technician new premises in Silver Wigan Heritage Service

Crompton Street premises

Some early Lonsdale & Sons vehicles Goodier egg collecting 5

MEMORIES I MUST start from by half dressed as soldiers. I leaving St. George’s Tom Unsworth (1899-1981) was thrilled when a party of school, when I was us was asked to do a bit of nearly 13 years old. duty at the railway station. My father took me to They put us at each end of the platforms, and from an iron works but they A Wigan Family 7.00pm till 9.00pm for the could not start my next week or two we had to apprenticeship till I Three generations of the Unsworth family traded as keep a watch on the points was 14 years old. I got butchers in Coopers Row in the Wiend, before Thomas and lines, to make sure a temporary job in Unsworth, our Granddad, moved to 52 Greenough Street, that nobody tampered with property repairs at 5s. turning down the opportunity to go into partnership with them as the troop trains per week. At that Mark Williams, another well-known name in butchering came rushing south. I was circles. The family remained there until the shop was time my aunt was a train spotter then and it demolished. housekeeper to the gave me chance to get the Thomas had three sons, Richard, Thomas (our father) names and numbers of the Rev. Canon Lloyd at and Robert, but a fortnight after his daughter Elizabeth St. Michael’s, (if ever engines as they went by. (Lily) was born in 1903, his wife died suddenly. Thomas One Monday in there was such a thing wooed his sister-in-law, but at that time church law would February 1918 I called at as saints on this earth, not permit a man to marry his deceased wife’s sister. the recruiting office and he was one). Things were left as they were and he later married a strict joined up. This is where I nonconformist lady who brought up the three boys. An jump out of the frying pan Prestatyn amusing story was told of Thomas’s new horse which, on into the fire, as I hope to the Sunday afternoon outing, insisted on calling at every tell you later. The chap public house in Wigan Lane, pulling the trap from one side Although I was a St. said, “Be here for 9.00am of the road to the other, in spite of Thomas’s efforts to keep sharp to-morrow”. George’s boy, I had to go them on the straight and narrow! to St. Michael’s Sunday Here are, in his own words, the experiences of Tom, the A nice man! school every Sunday middle son and our father, of life in the army. morning and afternoon. Jean Bates (nee Unsworth) There were about 10 of As I could not go away for Gordon Unsworth a holiday I joined the us, and we were taken to a Church Lad’s Brigade. On school in Bolton where my second annual camp at of the Rev. James of Haigh, Drill Hall there were a lot of chaps Prestatyn the war started a camper with us. I walking about with white and the Post Office must say here that he When we came home coats on. I found out they messengers began to call eventually lost four sons the Drill Hall in Powell were doctors and we were with call-up papers for and I believe one daughter Street was alive with men told to strip off everything, several officers and men, in the war. What a blow reporting for duty. It made so there we were in our among them the two sons for a grand fellow to bear. us laugh seeing the men birthday suits. I was embarrassed at first but as you walked about you thought nothing of it. At about 4.00pm a sergeant took 12 of us out and we got on a tram to Wellington Barracks at Bury. There was a very smart sergeant with a smashing big moustache. He was a nice chap and asked us if we had had any tea. When we said no he took us to a dining room which was as clean as a new pin. When we had finished, he asked us if we had had enough. Then we thought a bomb had dropped. He bawled at us to get our ..... coats off and we had to get Thomas Unsworth’s butchers shop at 52 Greenough Street Ô 6

pails of water and scrub the behind the parade and the couldn’t stir for people paddle steamer. It was so tables again. As if that was Methodists fall out. I was dancing and singing; and rough that we had to go not enough, he kicked a always a Methodist there were some drunks. below deck. We were so bucket over and made us because we marched off in Straight away after, they packed that it was like mop it up. He was a nice another direction to the passed me out and sent me being in an oven. The man! He then took us to an Y.M.C.A. where we had tea to Salisbury Plain. I was order came that everybody office and we were paid the and a sing song! happy because I was on had to go on deck, because King’s shilling for joining Then I was sent to 2s.2d.a day. It was the there was a floating mine, up and a shilling for the Mottingham, a little village overseas depot for the and the crew on the bridge day’s pay. On the Saturday about a mile from Grove Army Service Corps (motor were firing at it to try and morning he took us to Bury Park. There we did our drill transport). It was then that explode it. Then the firing Station and got our tickets and gas drill. We would be I had my first leave; I had had to stop because the for . Those who had playing football in a field been in the army about 10 mine was getting too near not far to travel were told, and, just as we were going months. I had four and a the boat. It was very they could go home, but to to kick the ball, a smoke half days draft leave, was exciting, because one be at Manchester station for bomb would land at our half a day late getting back minute it would be on top midnight on Sunday. feet. We had to stop to put and was fined two days of a wave, and when it on our gas masks and kick pay and two days Royal went down it would come 6d. a day! the ball with our gas masks Warrant, six days pay up somewhere else. on. altogether. Eventually we arrived at After various tests to Calais and were taken to a see if we knew anything Armistice France depot. Not being like the about engines, I finished up infantry, we were not at a place called Grove Park, I was 19 on 7 November We were told that we regimented. I, with three a big place with massive 1918, four days before were going to France. They others, was sent to Dunkirk gates. While there they put armistice. We thought marched us to the station, to the 48th Division. They me on a lathe in the work something was in the air but when we got to Dover, had been out since 1915 shop and I had to make a because the officers and it was too rough for us to and were the finest set of nut and bolt and put the sergeants started taking the sail, so we marched up to chaps you could wish to threads on. Anybody who magnetos off all the lorries Dover Castle - a good job meet. We were on the canal had worked on a lathe and cars so that you too because the dinner was bank in half round huts, could do that. I was proud couldn’t start up a vehicle. doped, and we all had and we had all made of the one I made. I had to Then they told us about the diarrhoea at the same time. ourselves bunks with wood take it to a young officer. armistice. Everybody went What a sight to see! and canvas. Then he gave me a little mad. The bus used to turn Looking out to sea from The blacksmith was a tapered connecting rod, and back near Grove Park, but the castle a battleship was big Irish man. I couldn’t asked me how I would set one of our drivers got in the on the skyline. Big waves weigh him up, for during the headstock to give me driver’s seat and we all kept holding it up, and we the day he would do that taper. I told him and he climbed on. We finished up could see the outline of the anything for me, but when said, “That is a fine idea. I on the tram lines in propeller, then the whole he came in at night, always haven’t heard that one Beresford Square, ship would disappear last, he made for my bed before”. He asked me how Woolwich with no petrol, so before rising up again. and tipped it up! The old I was and if I was A1. we left it there. The work However, the order came electrician, who was in our He said he would send me people were coming out of that we had to sail, and we on instruction for six weeks Woolwich Arsenal and you were marched to a very old Continued on page 8 to show me the army way. I found out later that there was a row going on in Parliament about sending soldiers overseas before they were 19. As I was 18, this is why I had to go to school. If I had passed I still couldn’t go to France, and they would have to pay me proficiency pay in England. That would have been 2s. 2d. a day. On instruction my pay was 1s. a day but I had to allot half of it to my mother. You will not believe me when I tell you my pay was 6d. a day, 3s. 6d. a week! We had church parade on Sundays when we had to clean up. Just before we marched off he would tell all the R.C.s to fall in The Unsworth family on the occasion of Richard Unsworth’s wedding 7

WEER ARE T’ GOOIN? by Ernest Ford ‘WEER are t’ gooin?’ said Sam ‘Oh,’ said bobby Simpson. ‘He crossing the road to meet his sed uz he wer racin thee fer a pint.’ boozing companion Ted. ’I reckon uz ‘He wer,’ said the landlord. ‘Tha I’m gooin to t’ same watterin hole uz sees, he’s not paid fer that pint!’ thee’ replied Ted. ‘Tha knows our ‘Tha knows its a funny thing fert landlord is nor in a good mood ut play abeawt wi is t’ law’ Ted gave a present.’ huge puff at his pipe. ‘Its funny in ‘Oh aye? Un heaw dust mek that moower ways than one,’ came the eawt?’ reply. ‘Theres awe’l soarts of ins un ‘It wer last neet’ went on Ted. eawts. Jargon, I think uz they caw it. ‘He’s nor happy wi t’ law ut awe’l. Aye .. legal jargon!.’ Oh noww, nor happy ut awe’l.’ The ‘Owd mon,’ said Sam. ‘Tha must ears of his friend pricked up because o’ geet up early this mornin. Legal he also had reason to be unhappy jargon eh? Tha’s not bin eytin with the law. college puddin or owt. Tha’t sharper ‘Tha sees,’ said Ted. ‘Bobby than t’ knife uz tha cuts thi bacca Simpson wer on duty last neet un with.Un wot legal jargon cums to t’ this chap cum racing like a bat eawt top o’ thi yed neaw?’ uv hell un wer beawnt rush past ‘Well,’ Ted gave a bigger sweel him.’ upon his pipe before answering. He ‘Did he poo him up?’ said Sam. looked along the lane to the church ‘He did un awe’l’ his mate remarked, who’s clock began to chime. ‘If,’ said ‘un wen t’ bobby asked wor he wer Ernest Ford’s new book. Enquiries to Ted, un I only meeun if I took a dooin runnin like the clappers he Len Maycroft (01942 818763) hommer un smashed yon clocks sed ‘ I’m racing this mon fer a face, would I be arrested fer killing pint.’Bobby looked back and saw the said Sam. ‘Anyroad, wen t’ landlord time?’ landlord running excitably. raced up to t’ bobby he said ‘wor Sam thought for a while before ‘I caw’nt see owt wrung wi that’ has’t let yon mon go fer?’ Ô

our place, and our Sergeant was Bert Robinson and he know that he travelled across MEMORIES Major didn’t half make fun lived in Rose Avenue, Germany by train to be of them. He was a little fat Beech Hill. His wife and present as part of a peace ––––– fellow with several rows of mine became firm friends. keeping force when Danzig medal ribbons, but he was He was a librarian at the Continued from page 7 became a free city. The train one of the lads. You Carnegie Library in was met by Paderewski, the wouldn’t know he was a Pemberton.) famous pianist and Prime warrant officer. I was When the 48th division hut, said he would cure Minister of Poland, and a playing football one was sent home to be him. We had electric lights band playing ‘It’s a Long Way evening in January or demobbed, I was on my in our huts and think they to Tipperary’, mistaking it for were connected to the tram February 1919, and as we own. Eventually I was sent sat down to rest, two to the light division at the British national anthem! wires. The electrician did He spoke of the hatred shown something to the switch, soldiers were there, one of Munchen Gladbech in whom came from Wigan. Germany. When we arrived by the Germans as they put banks of earth under passed through. the floor boards, and then He said they had no money in Germany, we received an or cigs. We always had cigs extra 1s. a day victory pay He came home to put some water on the floor. unemployment and the When Paddy was getting and tobacco because our and 1s. occupation pay, driver carted the stuff from giving me 4s.2d. a day. I necessity to use his initiative into bed he had to switch to earn a living. His father lent the light out. He swore at the ship to the canteen, and was a millionaire, and as him £25 to buy a lorry and he the water on the floor, but cigs in tins of 50 kept falling the Mark kept falling the as soon as he touched the off the lorry, so we were rate of exchange gave us started carrying meat from switch it sent him flying. well supplied with them. I more money still. As it was Liverpool market for the There was no sleep at gave them a tin each; they only armistice and not butchers of Wigan. As this night. There were 14 of us would have given me a gold proper peace till about 12 only occupied one day a week, in the hut and it took us all pig if they had one. months later, we could he would scrub his lorry so to hold him down. (Before I leave off that travel on the street cars that he could then load it with story, I was at a Masonic and railway for nothing. coal and carry on his business Tins of cigs dinner in 1944 when a as a coal dealer. He carried man came up to me and ***** coal on his back to enable As the young troops asked if I knew him. It both his children to attend who had signed on for three turned out to be that Wigan At this point the narrative university, and his reward was years kept arriving at soldier to whom I had ends because of the strain on his pride in their academic Dunkirk they marched past given the cigs. His name our father’s eyesight. We achievements. 8

thinking of an answer. ‘Are t’ know wor her sed?’ ‘Wot wer wrung then? Had yo serious Ted. Tha could’nt reych it in ‘Noww,’ Sam looked curious. gone beawt um or sommat? t’ fust place.’ ‘Her gi me a funny look un said, ‘Noww,’ said Ted. ‘I did as I wer ‘Well, wot dust think?’ In an so do I !’ towd bur I wernt happy ut awe’l so I instant Sam found an answer. ‘If I ‘Howd mon I think uz I’d tek that fotched t’ instructer to t’ back ut wer t’ judge I’d let thee awf !’ Ted as a bit o’ an insult.’ plane fert show him wor I’d was amazed that his friend had ‘Insult is purrin it a bit on t’ mild discovered.’ formed an answer in such a short side. It took mi sum time fert ger oer ‘Neaw this does seawnd time. ‘Un wot would bi thi reason fer it I con tell thi,’ Ted replied. ‘Does t’ interesting if tha does’nt mind mi lettin me awf?’ know ... tha t’ fust mon uz I’ve ever seyin so. Wot did t’ do wen tha ‘Because t’ clock struck fust!. towd that to.’ fotched yon mon fert hev a look ut a Sam replied. ‘I con believe thi’ Sam comforted box wi nowt but parachutes in it?’ ‘They would’nt catch me him. ‘I’d be ashamed un all. Why, its ‘He wer glad uz I’d took t’ trouble annyroad, Ted said. ‘I yerd t’ verger a slorr on thi manhood I con tell thi. because wen I lifted t’ box wot does se uz they’d be away fer some time.’ Thi secrets safe wi me ... ut least t’ think wer written underneath it?’ He raised his and wiped away until I get wom.’ Sam decided to ‘Heaw do I know,’ protested Sam. the sweat. change the tone of the conversation ‘Wot wer written underneath it?’ ‘Weer hev they gone to?’ Sam because he could tell that this ‘OPENS ON IMPACT, Ted waited wanted to know. ‘The vatican’ came confession was making Ted to see the impact on his friends face the reply. uncomfortable. ‘Is it reet uz tha wer before giving a loud guffaw. ‘Oh aye. Not bad eh, not bad ut in t’ R.A.F?’ They both turned to ‘I owt o’ known uz tha wer cookin awe’l. Did they say if they’d be in t’ move up the lane leading to their up sommat daft,’ Sam blushed ‘Neaw lounge or in t’ bar?’ favourite watering hole, that being thee listen ter this un I’m tryin fert ‘He’s a queer un is yon mon. The Red Lion. get this conversation back on an Does t’ know uz he’s naer spokken ‘Aye its reet awl reet. They cawd even keel. Tha knows that verger uz to his wife fer nine months’. uz t’ brylcreme boys bur they we mentioned earlier on.’ ‘Aye un I think uz I know why’ would’nt hev if they hed seen me ‘Aye,’ said Ted. ‘Wer it me uz Sam helped the conversation. ‘Its fust. Tha sees, I wer heawf bawd mentioned him or thee?’ because he’s freet’nt of interuptin wen I wer cawd up.’ ‘Onnyroad, he wer tellin me uz her! He owt o’ done like I did wen I ‘It ud be wi worryin abeawt thi his dad deed in 1948. I know uz geet wed. I laid t’ law deawn straight caw up,’ Sam suggested. ‘I worried theres nowt pleasant in that but tha away.Tha should start thi wedded abeawt mine bur I did’nt o’ needed sees, he knew uz he wer beawnt life same road uz th meeuns fert to. Tha sees, I did’n pass, wi me dee!’ carry on. Put thi foot deawn wi a feet.’ ‘Heaw did he know that ? Did a firm hond.’ ‘Tha would’nt o’ passed beawt fortune teller tell him or sommat?’ ‘Un wot did tha do uz is wuth thi um,’ his pal wanted to make light of ‘Fortune teller did’nt tell him,’ pattin thisel on t’ back?’ the conversation.’ I know wot tha Sam said. ‘It wer t’ judge!’ ‘Me,’ went on Sam ‘I geet up meeuns . Flat ! Tha would’nt be t’ ‘Judge? Had he bin a nowty lad early on t’ fust mor n un took her fust un uz failed wi that.’ then? asked Ted. up a tray wi a plate o bacon and ‘I wannted fert go tha knows,’ ‘Tha’s guessed it in one,’ Sam eggs, toast, marmalade and a pot o’ Sam protested. ‘There’s noan o’ uz puffed like mad upon his pipe. ‘He tae.’ cowards in our family. Well, noan uz confessed to 2 murders on his death ‘I thowt tha wer beawnt teych her I know uv. bed’ Then he recovered.’ some soart o’ lesson.’ ‘It’s different in our family .. I ‘Neaw thats wor I caw bad luck. ‘I did’ said Sam. ‘Tha’s not leet think. I have an uncle who fowt like Con t’ smell yonder hay in t’ feeult. If mi finish mi tale yo gow yed! I wer fury in t’ last war.’ theres one thing uz I like its smell o’ beawnt tell thi uz her wer fain ‘Tha did, un he did?’ Sam asked. knew cut grass.’ gloppent un tha should o’ seen her ‘Aye, I con honestly say that,’ ‘I like smell o’ weshin un new eyes.’ Teds voice lowered. ‘But he still had baked bread.’ ‘Oh aye,’ said his inquisitive t’ go!’ ‘Has t’ geet a sensitive nose fer friend. I’d rayther o’ seen um on t’ ‘Wer there owt interestin smells?’ Ted asked. neet afore.’ happened while tha wer in t’ R.A.F.? ‘Aye un I’ll tell thi uz I wished uz Sam went on with his tale of how There must o’ bin sommat.’ Ted I had’nt, replied Sam. a gradely mon would set out to tame thought hard before replying. ‘Heaw does t’ meeun,’ Ted wanted a wife. ‘Her stretched eawt on seein ‘Fust time uz we wer tan up in an to know. ‘It’s one ut pleasent senses wor I’d fotched her un sed by gow aeroplane we wer cawd being uz we’ve bin gifted wi. I dont know that looks reet wunderful. Oh aye, instructed heaw fert use a weer we’d be beawt sense o’ smell.’ its reet .. reet wunderful. I sed I parachute.’ ‘A seet happier,’ said Sam. ‘Ut know that owd lass ... un thats heaw ‘Owld mon,’ Sams ears pricked up leeust in heawr heawse because it I wannt thi fert do my brekfust every and he took a different shade of smells lowsey. Its because of our mornin!’ colour because in fact he wasand Mary’s husband who’s cum fert live ‘ My honeymoon wer summat of always had been scared of wi uz. He reads a lot tha sees un he’s a puzzle. Tha sees I wannted fert flying.’Heaw did it go fer thi?’ seen in this book uz best road fert pleeus her.’ ‘Not ut awe’l good ut awe’l’ Ted keep flys eawt ut kitchen is fert but a ‘Un so tha should’ Sam replied. continued his tale. ‘Wen we’d bin in bucket of manure in t’ lounge.’ ‘Heaw does’t meeun tha wannted t’ air abeawt heawf an heawr t’ ‘Thats rayther strange’ said Ted fert do?’ instructer towd meto go to t’ big box but con t’ not oppen t’ windows?’ ‘ I towd her after t’ honeymoon ut back ut plane un fotch a parachute ‘Tha wot?’ replied his friend, ‘un uz I felt like a new mon un does t’ fer each o’ me mates.’ let awe’l mi pigeons eawt !!’ 9

WILLIAM THOMAS MILLER (1880-1963) Pit Deputies Leader and Nonconformist

BORN on 21 July 1880 in Loch Street, emigrated to Cape Breton, Canada with Lamberhead Green, Orrell near Wigan, a party of about 16 ‘Christian Brethren’ was the first child of Simon William to work as a collier for the Nova Scotia Miller, a second generation coalminer, Coal and Steel Company at Queens Pit, and Juliet Lever, a powerloom Mines. His wife, however, weaver and coalminers’ daughter. The would not follow for fear of the troubled industrial conditions of he transatlantic crossing and the family 1881 Lancashire miners strike led the remained in Wigan. Miller returned in family to move, first to Rainford, and 1908, and resumed his position as a Pit shortly afterwards to the mining village Deputy at Cross Tetleys Ltd, and his of Platt Bridge, where Miller lived for part in the Lancashire Deputies 40 years until he was appointed a full organisation. time trade union official. His mother died aged 30 in 1885, when Miller was General Secretary five years old. His father remarried, to Martha Taylor, and they had a further In March 1914, Miller became seven children – making a family of President and Chairman of Executive of eleven. Lancashire and Cheshire Colliery Miller was educated at St Peter’s, Deputies; a position which he held, Low Green, Church of England School W T Miller OBE, 1880-1963 until August 1922, when he was (later St Nathaniel’s), Platt Bridge up to appointed full time General Secretary of his 12th birthday, when he commenced the Lancashire, Cheshire and North work underground as a pony driver at Parkinson, Miller shared Twist’s Wales Colliery Deputies and Shotfirers Bamfurlong Colliery No2 pit of Cross, nonconformist background. Association. The union helped him buy Tetley and Company, working a 12 In 1903, Miller became Assistant a larger and more central end-terrace hour-day, 6 day-week. Two years later, Fireman at Wigan 4th Mine, which house at 30 Ellesmere Road, he joined his father, by now a Deputy, commenced his lifelong vocation, and Pemberton, Wigan, with the union at Wigan Junction Colliery, and worked led him to study for a Shotfirers office in one front room, which helped there until the age of 16, when he went Certificate at Wigan Mining College. At to accommodate his growing family as a miner to the No3 pit of Cross, this stage, the role of the modern Pit (eight children with two to follow). Tetley and Company. Deputy was just emerging from a The change of address also entailed number of supervisory positions, a move of chapel to Albert Street, Church of Christ variously described as Firemen, Newtown, another miners’ stronghold, Examiners and Deputies. The where Miller became a Chapel Officer, On 6 November 1901, he married legislative history of the position was Sunday School Superintendent and Lay Annie Phelps, the daughter of a miner bound up from the outset with mining Preacher. The family remained here who had migrated to Platt Bridge from safety, a concern with which pervaded until the war, when a dispute caused the declining Forest of Dean coalfield, virtually all Miller’s public utterances. his departure to the more liberal at Rodney Street ‘Christian Meeting The 1887 Mines Act required the atmosphere of the town centre Rodney House’, Wigan. The following year he appointment of ‘competent persons’ to Street ‘mother church’ – where he moved to Mains No2 pit with the same make mine inspections, though the attended for the last score years of his firm, filling coal from the machine face standard of competency was left for the life. of the Trencherbone Mine. manager to decide. The 1911 Coal The Independent Pit Deputies’ Simon Miller had been a stalwart of Mines Act further required a Certificate union organisation faced a dual the Churches of Christ in Wigan, a of Competency, and hearing and eye struggle for recognition against both nonconformist movement to restore tests every five years. Workplace the employers and the Miners’ ‘Primitive’ New Testament Christianity. inspections were increased from once Federation. In Lancashire and Cheshire, The Church had come to Wigan in to twice a shift. Finally it was stipulated although demarcation agreements had 1841, at the initiative of Thomas Coop, that the Deputy devoted his time in full been reached between the MFGB and a local manufacturer, and in 1858 the to these statutory duties, except when other unions by 1918, sharp divisions Rodney Street ‘Christian Meeting involved in firing shots or arose over the Miners’ Federation House’ had opened in the centre of measurement of the work done. Thus attempt to dictate terms to other unions town. Deputies became, to use Miller’s 1927 over the post war re-employment of phrase, safety ‘policemen of the mines’. workers. Policemen of the mines They gained full statutory status for the These relations worsened during first time, laying the basis for a the 1926 coal strike, when working From an early age, Miller was an growing sense of identity in the union ‘safety men’, from the Pit Deputies’ and active member and trustee of the organisation. Of equal importance to other unions, were a constant bone of Bamfurlong Branch of the Miners’ Miller’s later life, the Act also provided contention. Although the Miners’ Federation of Great Britain, ‘being for union representatives and others to Federation generally allowed these attracted to the movement first of all by attend and question witnesses at categories of men to work and even the personality of Mr Harry Twist JP’. inquests after a death in the mine. draw coal, where this was necessary to Like several other Lancashire mining This was a time when the keep the mine open and safe, there leaders Samuel Woods [see Past employment situation in the Lancashire were constant disputes over whether Forward 32, p8 Ed.] and John Allen coalfield was difficult, so in 1906 he Ô 10

The Farmer’s Year Round FARMING NOTES IN THE When winter days are short and drear And work seems never ending. Cherish the thought that spring is near WARTIME YEARS And brighter days are pending. BLACKOUT was the order of the day – potatoes; they had a little card that When spring does come the flowers cow sheds, dairy and boiler house all had to be marked when they had appear had to be blacked-out. The stables worked. They particularly loved 10.30 Sweet gems of perfect beauty, you could get away with using a storm a.m. and 3.30 p.m. which was Lightening the round of daily tasks lamp, as the glass had been blacked ‘baggin’ time, when they got a hot So often termed our duty. with some stain. Also the outside drink and a bun; then it was back to pigsties, but not where the breeding work. When land is tilled and seeds are sows were kept, in case heat was The farmer himself could kill two sown, needed for the piglets or when a sow pigs a year for his family, but had to Our faith in God is rested, was farrowing. The large farm cellar forfeit his family’s bacon coupons out For He alone supplies the life was used for an air raid shelter. of their weekly ration book. The Royal With which our hopes are vested. Three land mines were dropped on Lancashire Agricultural Society had local farms. One farm was destroyed, prize schemes, to encourage Then summer with long sunny days but the farm’s shire horse was found increased production of food in a time Those tender plants do nourish grazing in a field, even though its of urgent need. One of the local With promise of good harvesting stable was no more. farmers was awarded First Prize in Man’s hope again doth flourish. The farming community used to the classes for Best Green Crop and have a yearly get-together at the Most Productive Medium or Small Then autumn with its shortening days, threshing machine. Two workers from Farm, 1945. No time or thought for leisure; each neighbouring farm would come German and Italian prisoners of There’s plenteous crops to gather in, to help out, then that farmer would war came to work and live-in on some Reward in bounteous measure. send two workers from his farm to farms; one or two liked the families so And so the yearly round goes on help them when the threshing much that they stayed on and married Years slip by even faster; machine moved on to the other farms. the farmers’ daughters. The land remains and we must serve: Now, the grain is mostly worked in the All in all we had a happy life. Dame Nature is our master. field by the combine harvester. In the wartime, school children Jean Guest (nee Patrick) John Patrick (1896-1966) could have two weeks picking Arrowsmith Farm Leigh Farm Tyldesley

Deputies had overstepped this mark conference, in his Presidential address, Royal Comission on Safety in the Coal and were undermining the Miller bemoaned the intrusion of ‘party Mines – which set the standards for the effectiveness of the strike. In addition, politics’ into the Miners’ Federation and post-war nationalised industry. whenever the militant wing of the hoped for a restoration of ‘unity’ within Miller was elected National Miner’s Federation wished to escalate it. At the summer conference of June Secretary of the Federation of Colliery the action, the issue of withdrawing all 1927, he went even further, advocating Deputies’ Associations of Great Britain safetymen came to the fore. Since many mediation and machinery ‘for in 1939, and awarded the OBE in 1941 of these workers were not MFGB investigating all labour troubles, for his work on the Royal Commission members, and the Pit Deputies’ union compulsory arbitration and settlements (which eventually produced the 1954 refused to join or accept the authority if need be, with strikes and lockouts Mines and Quarries Act). 1942 saw his of the MFGB–dominated local safety made illegal’. In a pacifist vein, he union rejoin the TUC. He resigned as committees, a growing distrust of the coupled industrial disputes with National Secretary in 1943, to become Deputies’ independent organisation warfare as destructive social evils. the Chief Investigation Officer for the was inevitable. The 1929 Sheffield Federation North Western Region of the Ministry conference saw unemployment of Fuel and Power, based in Didsbury. President emerging as a key issue, and Miller He retired in 1947 and moved to a spoke powerfully on the ‘destitution’ it small terraced house at 71 Scot Lane, In 1926, Miller was elected was causing, and against ‘charity’ as Newtown, Wigan. President of the General Federation of an alternative to decently paid jobs, The two great movements of Miller’s Firemen, Examiners and Deputies while reasoning boldly that coal mining life were the Pit Deputies’ Union and Associations of Great Britain. The would ‘not again be able to absorb the the Churches of Christ. He was, General Strike found the Deputies whole of the workers connected with however, a strong Labour man all his confused and divided, some working, the industry’. A shorter working week, life, and was reputedly nominated for some striking, with no say in the raised school leaving age and earlier the Labour candidate of Ince, Wigan in conduct of the dispute. Miller was retirement could help alleviate this 1942, when JA Parkinson, the sitting clearly uneasy with the action, if not problem. MP, died. He declined the prospect, outright opposed. He was a socialist, During the 1930’s, Miller apparently because he felt his but, philosophically, an industrial represented the Federation at Temperance convictions would prohibit moderate; committed from an early numerous mining disasters and him from effectively campaigning in stage to the view that trade union enquiries into causes of explosions. In the town’s Working Mens’ Clubs. He organisation would increase ‘by joint 1938, he represented the union on died in Wigan Infirmary on 23 October reasoning, and fair consideration of all three important mining committees: the 1963, aged 83, after nearly 55 years parties concerned’ and ‘not by the Holland Committee of Enquiry into the involvement with coal mining – the application of brute force’. Qualification of Collery officials, the year the Churches of Christ again held At the 1927 Nottingham Federation Holidays with Pay Committee, and the its Annual General Meeting in Wigan. 11

USAF crash sites in the area are also noted, notably S.O.S. Billinge (1956). (See Hugh’s Mr Don Ray Melling of Family History articles in Past Forwards 27 435 West 24th, Burley, Idaho and 33). 83318 USA (email [email protected]) is trying to contact a lady he met in Wiganers at War the History Shop back in 1914-18 February. He unfortunately Local researchers have lost her name and address long been aware of a set of and is anxious that she cuttings books concerning contact the History Shop or reports of servicemen’s himself at the above awards or deaths during the address for the purpose of Second World War. During exchanging information. the last two years these volumes, because of their dilapidated state, have been Local Heritage Donation? hard at work indexing photocopied, indexed and Initiative Competition? sources. rebound. The Local Heritage One interesting, recently We have two more name We have, however, no Initiative, set up in 1999 by donated, article was passed indexes for the 1901 census, similar volumes for the 1914- Nationwide Building Society, to me by Bob Dobson of this time for Abram and 18 war. I am, therefore, and intended to last for 10 Landy Publishing, Staining. Hindley (RG13 3560 and seeking out volunteers who years, has been distributing This is a single sheet of 3561) as well as a completed would be interested in grants of between £3000 questions and answers set for Wigan town. These, assisting staff in creating a and £5000 from the Heritage requested by Harold Jevons, as you may be able to guess, set of “Wiganers at War” for Lottery Fund to groups for Town Clerk of Wigan in 1920, are, as usual, courtesy of World War One. This would local history projects such of the Lamp Superintendent. Gerry Rigby and Alan entail indexing pages of the as collecting old photos. Bob thought we ought to Maloney. Wigan Examiner and Wigan Projects must, however, ask readers how many gas There is also another Observer from microfilm. involve the whole com- and electric lights there were index from Frank Mitchell in Those interested should munity. For further inform- at that date. The actual Arizona (not Canada as I contact Christine Watts on ation call 0870 9000 401 or number of ordinary gas wrongly stated in Past 01942 828128. www.lhi.org.uk lamps in the then County Forward 36), this time for Borough of Wigan is given Lowton (RG13 3588). as 1,568 and 151 as I have received a first incandescent. At this time substantial instalment of there were only eight electric indexing from John Wogan arc lights. More interesting and Brian Fairhurst, of birth, than these figures is the death and marriage notices number of lamplighters and of Coroner’s inquests employed and the from the Wigan Observer. These detailed indexes, Jean Cole and John Titford: Tracing your Family Tree: the salary of the Lamp comprehensive guide to discovering your family history. Superintendent of the dating from January 1853, make interesting reading. 4th edition, Countryside Books, £11.95 Borough. Written by two experienced and renowned researchers, If anyone thinks they The first incident noted from the very first issue on 1 this excellent book, now in its fourth edition, continues to know the answer to my explain and encourage. For the experienced and beginner questions, please contact me January 1853, is the death of William Winstanley, a slater alike. by postcard or a sealed Available from the History Shop. envelope with the answers from Ince, who sadly fell from written on the back and your his ladder. There are two sequences to the index, by Stuart A Raymond: Family History on the Web: an internet name and address and directory for England and Wales. 3rd edition, 2004-5 date and by surname. telephone number. The edition. FFHS, £5.95 One unusual donation person with the correct Web site addresses are notorious for the speed with has been “’s Liberator” answer can choose from any which they seem to change. This handy sized booklet is by Hugh Heyes of Salisbury, Alan Godfrey map of the area revised annually and contains addresses under a huge Masachussets. The B24 or a tin of Uncle Joe’s. number of headings from occupations, including the Liberator bomber crashed in Armed Services, to the counties of England and Wales, the Donations and fields adjoining Hall Lane, types of records, rare books, societies and research Aspull in August 1943. The facilities, surnames, message boards . . . the list is Projects book documents the incident endless. Once again our Friends and is accompanied by some Available from the History Shop. from near and far have been excellent pictures. Other 12

Websites the World War I medal rolls. Details are being added in www.thegenealogist.co.uk batches by surname. Surnames beginning with A to L Research into the census has been lately greatly assisted available now. This will eventually, in essence, form an almost by the publication of CD-ROMS for the individual counties by complete roll call of all who fought. British Archive Data Ltd and Stepping Stones. Access to our ancestors’ details, however, remains, without good indexes, to www.englishorigins.net be a bit of a trail. British Archive Data Ltd in association with Produced in association with The Society of Genealogists, Genealogy Supplies Ltd have attempted to remedy this the site offers access to English genealogy records, in the situation by inviting individual researchers to index their own main, in the care of the Society. Data sets offered include the areas and publishing this data on CD-ROM and, lately, on their whole of Boyd’s Marriage Index 1538-1840, Bank of England website at www.thegenealogist.co.uk . Obviously the website will extracts index 1717-1845, marriage licence allegations is more up to date than CD-ROM and more counties are index 1694-1850, Boyd’s London Burials 1538-1872, London available in this way also. Lancashire has partial indexes for apprenticeship abstracts 1442-1850, and Archdeaconry the census years 1851, 1861, 1871 and 1891. A subscription Court of London Wills Index 1700-1807. costs £5 for 90 days or £14.95 for a full year. Volunteer The Apprenticeship records are particularly valuable contributors have the incentive of a free copy of the completed since, although they cover London apprentices, these may index as well as a few more perks. have come from anywhere in the British Isles or overseas, and details include name, parish, occupation of the apprentice’s www.bmdindex.co.uk father and in some instances, the mother. Another new pay per view site, once again from British An initial free search is offered but access to the individual Archive Data in association with Genealogy Supplies Ltd. record is by subscription of £6 for 300 credits 7 days They claim to offer more accurate searching of the Birth, continuous access. marriage and death indexes for England and Wales. They www.irishorigins.com offer complete birth records from 1950, some from prior to Similar pricing as above but this time access is to Griffith’s 1865 and complete BMD coverage from 1984. The index is valuation 1847-1864, the “census substitute” for Ireland. fully searchable by first name and surname with the cost of This apparently is the only source of the full version complete subscription being £5 for 90 days or £14.95 for a year. 95 with revisions and amendments. It is hoped to have the Irish million records have been added to date with more being Wills Index 1484-1858, and the William Smith O’Brien Petition added daily. (1848-9) online in the near future. www.documentsonline.pro.gov.uk www.scotsorigins.com This site allows access to The National Archives’ collection Different to the English and Irish Origins sites, in that, of digitised public records. There is a free search initially with since Scotland already has a wonderful pay per view site at a charge of £3.50 to download a digital image. www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk (featured in Past Forward 36), Examples of types of record are war diaries of France and most of the more widely used sources are listed there. Scots Belgium for the Guards Brigades and other regiments 1915- Origins therefore offers a free sighting service for documents 18, treatment of British prisoners of war 1915/16, famous 1700-1990. However there are charges for searches at £8 for wills, and more importantly, the latest data set to be included, Statutory Registers and £9 for Old Parish Registers. John Mallinson Stamper, Wigan 1910

In Past Forward 36, John Burgess Lane, Hindley with John Stamper and in her distress, Caroline of Waterford pondered why his a railway signalman, young John, forbade John to paint in his great aunt, Alice Jane Burgess, now aged 13 and the addition of leisure time. This he complied should possess two beautifully two more boys, Philip and Isaac, with until Caroline died. During decorated horns. I cannot directly both born in Ashton-in- his lifetime, John painted Billy answer that question, since Makerfield, and a daughter Sarah Boston and Wigan’s Royal Albert sometimes we acquire aged one year born in Hindley. Edward Infirmary, as well as possessions by indirect means. By 1905 the family were living many pairs of horns, with delicate However, I can pass on a little at 54 Barnsley Street, with John flowers and birds. Can the detail on the painter himself, J M Snr still a railway signalman. The butcher’s shops be the connection Stamper. family were still living at this with Miss Burgess’s horns? Did John Mallinson Stamper was address when John Mallinson John obtain the horns from born in Hesketh-in-the-Forest, Stamper married Caroline Causey McAvoys? This seems very likely. Penrith, Cumberland in early on 8 November 1913 at St Whether John was commissioned 1888, the son of John Stamper Michael’s Church, Wigan. John’s to do these lovely paintings is not and Sarah Ann Mallinson. The occupation at this time is given as known. couple’s three older boys, William, painter. Indeed, he worked for The Stamper brothers lived in John and Joseph were all born in Fred Pagett’s firm of painters, and around Hodges Street for Cumberland. John Snr was a decorators and plumbers. many years and John Mallinson railway labourer. By 1901 we Sadly, John and Caroline lost Stamper died at Sherwood House, find the family living in Moss two daughters in their childhood Platt Bridge in December 1982.

13

Sergeant Thomas Family History JAMES LOWE Atkinson

was born in Water Street, Hampson. Dear Sir. Chorley on 22 February, In 1911 James Lowe I enjoy receiving each 1856 the first son, after was made Vice-President issue of Past Forward and three daughters, to Joseph of the Bellingham Bowling read it from cover to cover. and Ellen Lowe. When Club – a club with which During our most recent Continued from page 13 James was five years old he had been associated for trip to Wigan, my wife and I the family moved to quite a few years. In 1912 had the pleasure to visit the Wigan and several public he was made President, ONLY one photograph of History Shop and to do houses became home with Thomas McKnight some research on my my great grandfather over the years - The Fox as his Vice-President. James Lowe survives in Atkinson family. One of the and Goose, 6 Hallgate, Although James Lowe’s items found was the obituary the family album. There The Pineapple, 27 Gt business address re- are gaps where others George Street, and the mained on Wallgate his for my great grandfather, have been – one, for White Bull, Prescott Street private address was Thomas Atkinson who died example, is labelled ‘The - before the family finally 38 Ellesmere Road, on 14 May 1909. The Family Lowe’. The only settled on Wallgate. Pemberton. Also at this heading on the obituary is clue I had concerning my In his early teens address was Mary “DEATH OF AN EX-POLICE great grandfather was James was an apprentice Sharrock and her OFFICER” and states that that he lived and worked tin plate worker by day, daughters Margaret, who “Mr. Atkinson was an ex- in Wigan, his surname while evenings were helped with James’ sergeant of the Wigan was Lowe and according spent helping in the business, and Janet, who Borough Police Force, and to the ‘family story’ he public house or with the married Patrick James he retired on had something to do local brass band. A Sherry in 1922; a son superannuation as far back with lead mines. Little notable musician, James born in July 1923 at 186 as 1880, when he met with a realising that Lowe was played with the St Wallgate was called James somewhat serious accident such a popular name in Thomas Band and the Lowe Sherry. whilst engaged at the big Wigan and with not Pemberton Old Band, The James Lowe died at his conflagration at Messrs one birth or marriage Blue Jackets. He was also home on 8 October 1930, Eckersley’s mill.” certificate surviving, I a member of the Wigan aged 73 years. Four of his started the search for my Volunteers. six daughters survived; Wigan family in the hope By the time he married Sarah Catherine was at 83 that maybe someone Ellen Hart on 9 February Wallgate till the 1930’s, somewhere still had some 1878, he had already under her married name Lowe family photographs. started his own tin plate Goulding. Ellen married Through my grand- works and founded the Harry Cunliffe and they mother’s marriage cert- Douglas Sheet Metal had a grocers and ificate I discovered Works, Pottery Bridge, confectioners in Barnsley my great grandfather’s Wallgate. Members of his Street till 1929 when Christian name, James, family worked with him - Harry was killed in a car and that he was a tin younger brother Joseph accident. Ann married plate worker and iron Lowe and nephews James James Pilkington in master. My James Lowe Harrison and Joseph Bolton in 1905 and in the early 1920’s the family moved to Blackpool. Alice Lowe, my grandmother, HIRE OF married Leonard Pearson from Cheshire in MEETING ROOM December 1910; they too The History Shop has a Meeting Room, with a lived in Blackpool. Thomas Atkinson capacity for 36. This is available for hire by local After finding all James groups and societies at a very reasonable cost: Lowe’s brothers, sisters, I am in hope that maybe SOCIETY RATE nephews, nieces and one of your readers would £8.25 cousins, a few des- be able to provide me with PER MORNING/ AFTERNOON SESSION cendants are still living in some background on the Wigan today; but at the conflagration at Messrs £12.35 end of this story, sad to Eckersley’s mill or some PER EVENING SESSION say, there is still only one information on the Thomas COMMERCIAL RATE photograph of James Atkinson family. Lowe in existence – the Attached is a photo of my £20.00 one I started with. great grandfather Atkinson. PER MORNING/AFTERNOON/EVENING SESSION Susan Williams William Atkinson If you are interested, contact Philip Butler 28 Moreton Drive Portland Michigan Staining Village U.S.A. email: Tel (01942) 828128 Nr Blackpool FY3 0DR [email protected] 14

A PIT BROW GIRL’S STORY

THE following was given to me by partner and raise a family. Some of the Jenny Leyland (nee Hooton) who is girls were really nice,” reported Jenny, now well into her 80’s, and living in “and were Sunday school teachers. We Ashton–in– Makerfield. She started were never ashamed of our work work on the pit brow of Long Lane because we were as smart as anybody Colliery, better known as ‘Crowpit’ when we were out. Even when we went in 1934 at the age of 14. Had she to work we had clean clothes and we started there two years earlier she washed our hair every night. We would have found my grandfather, would put brown paper under our another James Fairhurst (known as shawls to keep the dust out but it got Owd Jem Swagger) in charge of the everywhere. As time went by, a spray women. was played on the dust which Jenny said they started at 7a.m., improved conditions a little. There had half an hour for breakfast and were never any baths at the pit. I had finished at 3:30. If it had been a bad to finish when I married in 1938, and day and there had been stoppages, even if a women had to bring children they might have to work overtime, up having lost her partner, she would usually an hour. When she began not be re-employed. I remember one work, two of the women, Mary Anne girl who had a son by a married man and Charlotte Davies, were in charge, who was allowed to stay on. Her with a man in overall control. The mother brought up the lad and the coal, in 10 cwt tubs, came up the pit, woman married someone else later. went over the check weigh machine to was stopped,” she said “we were The custom then was that when a have its weight registered and then on always found something else to do, for couple became serious about each to a tipper called a ‘kecker’. The tipper there was always plenty of cleaning other, marriage would be anticipated would deposit the coal on belts up.” and the first child would soon follow underneath. the ceremony. There was no shame in Only Mary Anne and Charlotte had The Cabin it for that was the way of things. authority to stop the belts. The work Occasionally a girl would be let down was heavy but the knack was soon “The cabin was an old engine as aforesaid and there would be shame learned. Sometimes there would be house heated by steam pipes with no attached to illegitimate births, the lumps of coal with a band of dirt stove then. A canteen was built but it issue being known as ‘chance childs’. running through, and a chipper would was after I left. The tea in our cans But there were never what is known as be used to separate the coal from the was kept heated on the hot water ‘one night stands’, for the consequences dirt; or a very large lump of coal would pipes and was often stewed. The girls would be too serious for the women.” come down the belts, which would would take it in turns to have their have to be stopped until it was broken break, for the pit never stopped up. If the belts were stopped too long winding. When the canteen was built A Happy Little Pit it might stop the winding coal, so it it had a stove and a rest room with was essential they were kept going. easy chairs and a toilet. Before that, to “The Crowpit was a happy little pit. answer a call of nature, we had to The manager, Tom Jameson, was very Compo Men improvise and use a quiet spot out of friendly and I could talk to him just like the way with a plank and a bucket. I’m talking to you. Our reading matter At the time, working alongside the We had nowhere to wash our hands would be ‘Woman’s Weekly’, ’Red Star women, were men who had been afterwards.” Weekly’and ‘Red Letter’. A new shawl injured underground and were known Their complexions would be would be greeted with gasps of as ‘COMPO’ men i.e. in receipt of guarded by make-up - Snowfire cream admiration and the owner would hold compensation. “We were sometimes was put on first and the make-up on pride of place until the next one came grateful for a short stop so that we top of it. “The dust would stick to it along, for women competed with each could have a rest”, said Jenny. If there and come off when we washed other as to who had the nicest shawl”. was a particularly bad tub of coal, they ourselves. We put the make-up on just Asked about Mary Anne and Charlotte, would have to climb on the belt and as we would if we were going out at Jenny said she didn’t think they had spade the discard off. One of the night. Sometimes our hands hardened ever been courting but both were sisters, Mary Anne, would station and cracks formed in the skin which sociable enough. As far as she could herself at the bottom end of the belt would be painful in winter. Our hands remember, wages were about 2s. 6d. where the coal went into the wagon. If never seemed clean, no matter how per day, 15s. a week. When they any dirt had been let through, she hard we scrubbed them, for the coal stopped overtime they were allowed to would stop the belts and give everyone dust became ingrained.” keep the money, which was usually a mouthful. Occasionally the belts spent on clothes. At the age of 18 they broke and a fitter would have to mend The Cattle Market were paid the top rate of wages. them, giving the girls another short rest. Entertainment was going to the N.B. Charlotte Davies was given the There were few accidents in Jenny’s pictures and dancing. On Saturdays BEM on 1 January 1950, at the age of time. “I only remember one accident, and Sundays, the girls paraded along 63, for 50 years service to the coal and that was a compensation man Lodge Lane and Gerard Street in industry. had two fingers taken off. If there was Ashton, parades referred to as ‘the James Fairhurst an accident underground and the pit cattle market’. “The idea was to find a Ashton-in-Makerfield 15

GOING TO WAR

When war broke out my Aunt said to me, “What are from where I followed making friends. Then you going to do about it?” So I put my name down instructions given with my about 2000 of us boarded for the RAF. I’ve always had a liking for planes - call up papers, as to how to a train for some even from being a toddler, when I would ‘fly’ get to RAF Padgate. I have mysterious venue, which forgotten the route I took models down a piece of cotton in the kitchen, I turned out to be all those years ago, but I Morecambe, where we wanted to fly a fighter plane, although I knew in do remember a wireless were to do three weeks myself I didn’t have the education. If navigation shop and the song “It’s a foot and rifle drill to the had been left to me I would have ended in lovely day tomorrow, Guards standard. Germany! tomorrow is a lovely day” Marching up and down But I carried on with Warrington on 1 April coming through the open the front at Morecambe my job, preparing sheet 1940. My aunt, although doorway. could be very tiring but the rubber for civilian gas she really didn’t want me Then I was met with newness was still with us. masks; and being just 20 to go to war, got a small a loud-voiced Sergeant We were members of an years old when war suitcase big enough to barking, “Come along lads, elite force in our minds started, I was itching to hold my everyday clothes, smarten yourselves up”. and the ability to march join. I was ordered to go and with that and travel Reporting at the front correctly was bred in most to Hope Street school in warrant, I set off to catch office we were allocated a of us, but not all. The odd Wigan for my medical the train to Warrington. billet and a bed. This, my men out gave us examination, which I Leaving home was the first bed in the RAF, must something to be thankful passed; although I had most upsetting time I have have been taken out of the for - these men were as had pneumonia as a ever had. torture chamber in the wooden as the stock of the child, still they gave me tower of London; it was rifle we carried, swinging grade A1. called a Macdonald, a their arm to the wrong leg, Sir 081 heavy steel bed that i.e. right leg and right arm At the end of March concertinaed in on itself to forward at the same time. my calling up papers A number of young half size - good for making They got the brunt of the arrived. I was to report to men were getting off the room in a barrack room sergeant’s wrath. RAF Padgate near train at Bank Quay, but torture to sleep on. We were sleeping in Anyway, on the first day guest houses in the West we were sworn in and End Road. The food given a service number - was meagre, and being mine was 991081, so growing lads we were BOB DOBSON whenever my name was always hungry. Our pay shouted, my answer was was only 2s. per day, paid Publisher and Book Dealer to snap out “SIR 081”. On every two weeks. Of course the second day we were some went on food but kitted up with uniform and also on cigarettes - nearly LANCASHIRE webbing and the kit bags everyone smoked, and you to stow your gear in. The could get five Woodbine YORKSHIRE & CHESHIRE uniform was rough wool to cigarettes for 2d. sensitive civilian skin, but I later found that the RAF Hampstead Heath I buy, sell and search for second-hand uniform was less rough books relating to these counties: I search than the other services. After a few weeks I for books: I issue lists. I buy quantities of was sent aboard another other books. Morecambe mystery train, and I ended up in Stanmore, Middlesex, to train to fly a LIST OF MY NEW PUBLICATIONS On the third day it was balloon! What a let down, ON REQUEST inoculations. The medical though I was later to learn men certainly hadn’t a clue that these balloons were on handling us sensitive as dangerous as flying in BOB DOBSON civilians, I have sharper bad weather. We spent nails in my garage than three months in Stanmore, “Acorns” those syringe needles. But 3 STAINING RISE then moved out in May, although my arms ached heading for north London. STAINING like the devil I - unlike I was posted to 906 BLACKPOOL FY3 0BU many others - never went squadron, stationed at Tel: (01253) 895678 off my feet. The rest of the Highgate; we had our week, it was how to assemble into ranks and Ô 16

headquarters in a former after German Stukas had only these really did get to airfield between the Rock girls school, (they had badly damaged both you; they were the of Gibraltar and Spain. moved farther away from aircraft works, killing a lot counters to yellow fever, They were operating London). After getting of workers - the balloons black water fever, malaria Halifax four engined allocated a balloon flight didn’t stop bombers etc. bombers, and flying out we were separated to the sending down bombs, but into the Atlantic to forecast various sites - mine was their wires kept the planes ‘The Rock’ the weather for the ‘D’ on Hampstead Heath, at high enough to make day landings and beyond. the bottom end of the hitting their target harder. After the train journey We had a good canteen garden of Sir Robert Then without any from Wigan to Greenock, I NAAFI and, to beat the lot, Whiley Cowan, former warning I was posted to boarded SS ‘Orduna’, a a beach only 200 yards president of Shell Mex No 1 School of Technical very slow tramp steamer away. As there were only petrol company. We lived Training at RAF Halton, previously sunk in the First men on the ‘Rock’, nude in his fruit store house, Bucks as an apprentice World War and re- floated bathing was the order of with no balloon, one rifle fitter. But when we from the sea bed. We the day. with five rounds of marched down that first steamed down the Clyde to I was at Gibraltar when ammunition, and strict morning with mounting join a convoy, heading the German surrender was orders not to fire any excitement, we saw...... south. We were unsure taken and the first nuclear rounds. biplanes with flying wires, where we were going, until bombs fell on Japan; and Life was pretty good - a type of plane which went one day, one man shouted when peace was declared, we even got quite a few out in the late 20’s or early that he recognised the when the lights went on all girls coming round - but 30’s! Still at least shoreline as Takoradi, in over Europe and the Far then the blitz started on engineering was the same. West Africa. The ‘Orduna’ East. Life could begin London. At first during the And over 16 weeks we left the convoy there and, again. I sailed home on the day, then the Germans had a quick course on it hugging the coast, turned ‘Highland Princess’, turned to night bombing, and at the end I passed north. I still didn’t have a reported to Sealand camp, and for quite some time out as a Leading clue where I was going, was held there for a we suffered unremitting Aircraftsman. until early one morning, week or two, then sen bombardment. Then we was staggered to see to Cardington to be got a balloon and I moved towering over me, a demobilised, having served to another site, higher up Spitfires massive pillar of light - my country for six years on Hampstead Heath. We Gibraltar. I was to go to 520 and 23 days. had to screw pickets into I was next posted to Squadron who were George Victor Wadeson the ground, to hold the Benson. Coming through situated at the North Front (Sir 081) Wigan ropes that secured the the gates I got a quick sight balloon when inflated; but of…….. Spitfires! Here at balloons in high winds last was the flying side of have been known to lift the RAF that I wanted so the 5 ton winch they are much, although it was attached to clear off the second best to be able to PARISH VIDEO ground - they could be a look after the planes. monster when in a gale. Benson was a photo STANDISH Life on the hill was risky - recognisance unit with a we had a balloon holed by personnel of 3000 women presents an anti-aircraft shell, with and 1000 men! The aircraft bombs falling all around; I were two squadrons of The History of Coalmining ended with a splinter of Spitfires and two of in the Borough of Wigan steel in my mouth which Mosquitoes. I was posted, took my front teeth away. at first to 541 Squadron, Titles include The next day I was posted doing pre checks and to Weybridge in Surrey, post checks, on Spitfire Nothing Too Serious? where I stayed until the airframes, before moving (The last working year and closure beginning of 1942. to 8541 section, to inspect of ) Weybridge was the aircraft that have done the home of Armstrong required hours flying - 40 Vickers who at that time minor inspection, 80, 120 Blue Scars, Black Diamonds made the Wellington and so on, getting (A History of Mines and Miners bomber. The track that ran progressively in sections in the Wigan area) in front of their works was up to a major. (in two parts) the pits for Brooklands car I worked on our planes racing circuit, and there until ‘D’ day, when Also available was a take off and landing the amount of photo place for aircraft in the recognisance came almost The Standish Chronicles centre of the race track. On to an end. Then I was on Part 1, Part 2 the Byfleet side of this the move. The train ended (A General History of Standish) aerodrome Hawkers were in West Kirby, where we making the Hurricane got kitted out for tropical For more details: 01257 422108 fighter. The balloon gear, and again the round barrage was sent there of never ending injections - 17

A TRY SCORING MACHINE! TO which of the many great and Bert Jenkins of New Zealand players who have graced the and Wales respectively had cherry and white shirt of achieved all the game had to offer. They could not go on playing Wigan does this title refer? forever, however, and the club , , scouts were beginning to report on , Trevor Lake - a new Welsh star playing in the sadly no! None of them valleys. compare in the tries per And so the directors appearance stakes to the moved with great stealth down to player pictured here, Lewis the valleys. One must not under - estimate the dangers in such Bradley. Who knows just what actions – it was, after all, not he would have achieved in the uncommon for professional scouts, Wigan colours had World War directors etc. if discovered, to be I not claimed him. beaten up and run out of town by Lewis was born in 1889, the the locals, fearing they were about youngest of four brothers and two to poach yet more talent from their sisters born to John George and clubs. Nevertheless, the Wigan Ann Bradley, in Ruardean in the directors returned from their secret Forest of Dean - an unlikely setting mission to the valleys on 1 for a rugby star, one would think at Lewis Bradley, 1889-1918 December 1911 with the signature first glance. However, the major of the 21 year old Pontypool wing industry in the area was coal representative honours. Playing in wizard on a professional contract. mining – hard and labour intensive, Wales, no matter how well, was and not a million miles from the going to cut no ice in England. Also, Hard act to follow coalfields of South Wales, or the as an Englishman he would gain no North West for that matter. Like Welsh representative recognition. To say that Bradley had a hard many of that era the only way There seems to have been some act to follow at Wigan was an forward was through sport and, in confusion as to who he could understatement. “Gentleman” Jim particular, . He, like his actually play for. People felt that he Leytham was a legend even whilst father, was a Gloucestershire man was either Welsh or English, still playing, and was revered by the and, as he grew up in the West depending on who you talked to! supporters. Joe Miller was a local country, it naturally followed that This confusion arose from the fact lad who hailed from the Pemberton rugby would call him - after all, it that, whilst his father was English area of Wigan and was blessed with was the major sport for that part of born and bred, his mother was blistering speed. Both made scoring the world. Welsh, having been born in tries look easy. Bradley, however, Llangarren in Monmouthshire – was not fazed in any way by this, Welsh or English? indeed, perhaps that was why he but rather set about his task with moved. Whatever, he certainly had relish. Bradley quickly developed a an immediate effect on the reputation as a wingman who was Pontypool club, becoming their top Buzzing well able to sniff out a gap in the try scorer in the 1910-11 season opposition’s defence. Given his with 22 tries. He did not have long to wait to strength from working in the coal make his professional debut. His mining industry, he was to become Down to the valleys new club wasted no time in a strong and fearsome tackler. announcing that the Welsh wing Coupled with this was his obvious By now, he was beginning to wizard was to make his debut the rugby brain. It all meant that his attract attention from further afield, following day. It was Saturday 2 reputation began to spread outside from the professional ranks in the December, just a day after signing, of Gloucestershire. North of England, and in particular when Bradley made his way Players of his ability and the giant Wigan club, who were through a packed house at Central undoubted talents would have been always in the market for Welsh Park to play against expected to gravitate to the talent. They were interested in a Trinity. The whole town was Gloucester club or perhaps Bristol. wingman simply because the three buzzing with anticipation at the Bradley, however, moved even quarter line at the club, glorious new Welsh player. Neither they, nor further afield, across the Welsh though it had been, was coming to the Wigan club, for that matter, Marches, to Pontypool. It was a the end of its life. Leytham and were aware that he was actually strange decision on his part, as it Miller on the flanks were finishers English! isolated him from any chance of par excellence while * Ô 18

Bradley’s performance that day last full season he crossed for 42 no messages, as yesterday he did conquered the Wigan crowd. In his tries. In the three or more seasons not realise he was dying. He will be History of Wigan RFC, Robinson Bradley was at Central Park, he buried by our own chaplain in the wrote: “the critics of the time were scored three or more tries in a military cemetery near here, where united in saying that rarely had a match no fewer than 11 times. On so many of our fine men are lying. I wing threequarter shown such one occasion he was presented hope it is a little comfort to you to promise on his first appearance with with an overcoat by a local tailor in know he was in a British hospital, a Northern Union club, and the Wigan as a reward for scoring a where all that could possibly be spectators simply rose at “Louie”. hat-trick. done for him. In the 1911-12 season, his first As the 1913-14 season drew to a With deepest sympathy. as a professional, he quickly close and Europe tumbled faster (Miss) E. O. Schofield, Sister in established himself in the team, and faster into war, Bradley’s career Charge. playing on either wing. On New was drawing to a close. His record Years Day 1912, just a month after at Wigan, however, is astonishing Bradley died on 20 June 1918, signing as a professional, he crossed to say the least. Between 1911 and just five months before the end of the whitewash five times against 1914 he made 106 appearances, the war. It would appear that, as he Barrow! That put him in the same and incredibly scored 117 tries, never married, it was his married bracket as Miller and Leytham who more than one a game - a strike rate sister who actually wrote to the had both accomplished the same not bettered by any other player at Wigan club to inform them of his feat. the club. The closest are the great death. The secretary sent the That same season he helped Billy Boston with 478 tries from following reply to her : Wigan to second place in the league 485 appearances and Trevor Lake Dear Madam, with a record of 27 wins, 6 losses with 132 tries from 140 appear- As promised I have informed my and one draw. In those days the ances. Of his contemporaries, committee last night of the death of Championship was played off Leytham scored 258 times from 280 your brother Lew, and they between the top four clubs. appearances and Joe Miller 151 instructed me to convey to the had secured first spot, from 206. family their sincere regret of the loss and so played Hunslet in the play off which you have sustained. Lew was semi-final, whilst Wigan met Hull World War I a great favourite in Wigan, and will Kingston Rovers in the other. be greatly missed by a very large Huddersfield and Wigan met in the number of people, who were quite Final, played at , the Had the War not interrupted his delighted with his play as a home of Halifax. Bradley was up career, who knows just what footballer, and a very popular player against the great Aussie wingman, scoring achievements he would where ever he went. Would you . Whilst their have ended up with. Sadly it was kindly inform his mother and father personal battle ended up even - they not to be the case, for he found of out deep sympathy with them in both scored a try - it was himself in the Royal Field Artillery, their sad loss. This terrible war is Huddersfield, however, who took as a driver, when the War began in causing great havoc in families and the spoils 13-5, in front of 15,000 earnest. one never knows whose turn it is supporters. Bradley went through the war next to lose one of their loved ones. until 18 June 1918 when, during Geo. Taylor (secretary Wigan the battle of Scherpenberg, it seems Football Club) 42 tries in a season that he was hit by enemy fire. The extent of his injuries can be easily Lewis Bradley was laid to rest in The following year he helped the verified from his obituary in the Vignacourt British Military Cemetery club win the Lancashire Cup, Dean Forest Mercury of 26 July (grave ref: 1V.A.1). Situated in that defeating the holders Rochdale 1918, which included the following cemetery is a statue of a French Hornets in the final 21-5. Bradley letter sent to his father, landlord of soldier which was erected after the crossed for two tries in that game. the Roebuck Inn in Ruardean war by the villagers. At its base His crowning glory must have been Woodside : there is a plaque which when in his last season at the club, 1913- “Dear Mr Bradley. translated reads:- 14. On 7 March 1914 Rochdale were Your son, Driver L. Bradley, “Brothers in Arms of the British the visitors to Central Park. Bradley 118613 R.F.A. , was admitted here Army, fallen on the field of honour, was on top of his game and topped late on the 18th. and died at 10.30 sleep in peace, we are watching over everything he had done, equalling a.m. to-day, the 20th. He had very you.” the feat of legend Jimmy Leytham severe multiple wounds of back, It is quite fitting that Bradley by scoring six tries. It was a record head (which had fractured his should be there when you consider which would stand until a number skull), and both thighs. He was the many thousands who watched of players were to cross for seven quite sensible until last night, and over him during his try scoring tries in a match; and in the 1990’s since then has been only semi- exploits on the rugby fields of either and then Shaun conscious. The poor boy had been code! Edwards were to score ten tries in a badly infected with gas gangrene, Tom Mather match. Nor were his try scoring and it rapidly spread and * An article on Lance Todd will appear in the feats just a flash in the pan - in that eventually caused his death. He left next Past Forward Ed. 19

Memories of LUT THE two enclosed pictures of these people will be destination boxes. Electric recently came to light and I newsagents from within the LUT lighting behind opalescent white thought they might be useful for territory who were being glass illuminated the display at Past Forward. Both pictures are of rewarded for their generation of night. Most single deck bodies Lancashire United Transport business in selling excursion and were by Roe, so these Leylands events and readers might be able express tickets throughout the formed a minority batch. I often to identify some of the people year. The location is the Howe travelled to Eccles Grammar shown. Bridge workshops, now razed to School at Monton on these buses LUT had a “Thirty Club” for the ground, together with the as they were returning empty employees who had achieved 30 depot across the road. The two from Trafford Park to Swinton years service. The top picture buses on the left are from a batch depot after early morning was taken at the first celebration of four Dennis Arrows with Roe workmen’s duties during the late dinner of the Club on 24 bodies of 1934 and the bus on the 1940’s and early 1950’s. November 1937. 1 was told that right is a Leyland Tiger T57 with Rev Eric Ogden the venue was the Rope and Metropolitan-Cammell body of 40 Burnedge Lane Anchor Hotel, Leigh, now 1936, one of a batch of ten. Notice Grasscroft Oldham demolished. The original was the stencil plates in the Lancs 0L4 4EA credited to C.E. Willis Ltd., Bolton. Those identified are on the second row from the front. They are (from right to left): Mr. Hampson, Rolling Stock Superintendent; Mr. Williams, Overhead Engineer; Mr. E. Smith, Accountant; Mr. Wilson, Rolling Stock Engineer; Mr. E.H. Edwardes, General Manager; Mr. J.R. Holt, Secretary; ? ; Mr. Farrimond, Traffic Manager; Mr. Deveney, Claims Manager. Mr. Edwardes enjoyed perhaps the most illustrious career within the company. Born in 1874, he was appointed Power Station Engineer to the associated South Lancashire Tramways Company in 1901. He was appointed General Manager of LUT in December 1910, Managing Director in 1932 and Chairman in 1947. He retired in 1955 at the age of 80 and died later that year just short of his 81st birthday, having achieved a remarkable 44 years of management within a total service of 54 years. Mr. Holt, Secretary for 35 years, gave 53 years service. Even longer service was given by Chief Inspector T.B. Boothroyd, who commenced as a points boy in 1903 and retired after 60 years at the age of 73 in 1963. On the picture Mr. Boothroyd is behind and to the left of Mr. Holt. The bottom picture shows the “Official Agents’ Annual Outing,” probably in 1936 or 1937. Most 20

FRIENDS NEWS Friends Family History Workshops Wednesday afternoon. If this time does not suit anyone then special ON 30 June this year the third series of from participants they are very happy arrangements can be made. Due to the Family History Workshops came to an end with the service. Here is what just a few increases in administrative charges and in the History Shop. It is time, I think, to have said to us: the inclusion in the pack of our step back and take stock of just what the ‘Genealogical Sources’, the price will be Friends have achieved with these ‘Very informative’ rising a little, but it will still represent workshops and just how popular they ‘staff friendly and helpful’ exceptional value. have proven to be. ‘cost worth every penny and more’ If you are interested in tracing The concept is very simple. Firstly, ‘length (of session) not a problem, your family history and need a the demand is caused by so many people stayed overtime’ helping hand to get started please who wish to find out more about their ‘very friendly very useful’ ring the History Shop on 01942 family history. This demand is then met ‘wonderful value for money’ 828128 to book a place for the by experts or, so as not to embarrass autumn. them, very talented amateurs (and one Unfortunately, at the beginning of our professional, but that’s another story), sessions we were a little over optimistic from the ranks of the Friends. The reason as to the numbers we felt we could handle Cultural Partnership this approach is needed is very simple and a few sessions were very busy Convention also. The Heritage Service, which runs indeed. We learnt from that, cut down the On 20 June at the Robin Park Arena in the History Shop and the genealogy study number of people and increased the time Wigan, volunteers from a variety of centre there, has not got the time to put from 30 minutes to an hour for each organisations throughout the borough, on such an event manned by its own staff. consultation. We have not as yet including our own representative David So with a little support from us the advertised this any wider than the pages Lythgoe, met at the Cultural Partnership Friends have stepped in, and the rest, as of Past Forward and the History Shop Convention. This short report from our they say, is history. itself, and this has now started to slow man on the inside illustrates all the good down. Indeed, at the last session, due to work that is going on, the importance cancellations and a no-show, three of our placed upon it by our local administrators dedicated volunteers had a wasted and the high profile of the Friends. journey as their services were not The Convention at its most simple is required. So just a plea from me, if you an opportunity for people from all do book a session, do try to keep it, and if voluntary organisations to come together you can’t, do try to let us know in plenty and exchange information and ideas in of time. an organised and structured event. Yes, we are planning more of these Being the Cultural Partnership sessions for the future, still under the Convention, the emphasis is always on banner of Family History Workshops and considering the cultural and sporting still delivered by our excellent Friends. needs of the local communities. David The new season will start again in writes: September, with once again sessions The main topics for discussion being booked every fortnight on a Continued on page 24 Friend Gerald Marsden shows workshop participant and now regular researcher Sue Hesketh some inside tricks FRIENDS OF WIGAN HERITAGE SERVICE It works because of its personal touch. After booking in and paying their small Name ...... fee, each of the participants is assigned Address ...... an individual ‘expert’ for a one to one session that lasts a minimum of an hour ...... and sometimes much longer. During that time, there is plenty of scope for the Interests ...... Friend to explain all of the delights that await in the research area of the History ...... shop, and then get their hands dirty with Please enclose £5 subscription for one year’s membership. Cheque/P.O. payable to a bit of digging. All participants are Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust. Please return to the History Shop, Library Street, Wigan advised to bring as much information as WN1 1NU. they can with them as the pace can be hectic. By checking the more popular Remember your subscription entitles you to a priority mailing of Past Forward three indexes and records our resident experts times a year, starting with the currrent issue unless you request otherwise. have managed to kick start the research N.B. If you do not wish to cut this coupon out, a cheque along with your details on plain of over 70 people so far. Judging by the paper is fine. feedback sheets we have been getting 21

The artists continue to work on the Hospice’s Community Chapel Murals, but are searching for familiar landmarks and buildings, especially in the Leigh, Tyldesley Around Wigan Quiz and Astley areas. If anyone has any ANSWERS TO THE AROUND WIGAN QUIZ HERE are the answers to Gerald Rickards’ suggestions, please write to Gerald quiz, which featured in no. 35. Comments Rickards, c/o Wigan & Leigh Hospice, 1. Entrance to the stable block at Haigh, received suggest it was a great success, and Kildare Street, Hindley WN2 3HZ or email: built for Sir William Bradshaw. with help from a well supported coffee [email protected]. 2. Westwood Power Station; demolished morning (which continued well into the An Open Day to launch the murals has 1989. afternoon!) at the Rickards’ house, over been organised for 11 November 2004. 3. Haigh windmill, erected to pump water £1100 was raised for Hospice funds. A * * * * * to Sumner’s Brewery, Haigh. similar fund raising event is now being 4. Rivington Pike. considered for the future. Unfortunately, due to personal 5. Television mast on Winter Hill. Perhaps the most amusing story related circumstances, Gerald has not been able to 6. M6 high level crossing at Gathurst, to the quiz was of someone who had worked complete the latest in his series of local between junctions 26 and 27. out almost all the answers, realising, after drawings in time for this issue. But as 7. Hindley Hall, now Hindley Golf Club. handing the form in at the Hospice, the always, he has come up with a solution – a 8. The Prince and Princess of Wales correct answer to no. 25! drawing which he did alongside a larger opened the Royal Albert Infirmary in Three prizes were awarded, to Peter painting for the 75th anniversary of St 1873 and stayed at . Baxter of Wigan, Phillip Green of Shevington Luke’s, Orrell in 2002. Gerald hopes to 9. Mab’s Cross. and Wendy Grehan of Leigh. Congratulations. resume his popular series in the next issue. 10. Entrance to Shopping Centre in Market Place, Wigan. 11. Thomas Linacre Care Centre (previously Wigan Grammar School and then Mesnes High School). 12. Cenotaph, telephone kiosk and Liverpool Cathedral; all designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott. 13. War memorial near Finger Post, Aspull. 14. Ince St Mary’s Church, demolished due to the effect of mining subsidence. 15. The well at Standish, damaged by an American army vehicle in 1943. 16. Aspull Church Primary School, opened by Sir Robin Leigh Pemberton. 17. Orrell Post, near the Stag Hotel. 18. Large tree near the Stag Hotel, demolished by a gale in 1920. 19. Pennington Flash. 20. Boats from Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club. 21. St James’s Vicarage at Poolstock, which became Wigan Hospice. 22. Hindley Green House, one of the homes of George Formby. 23. George Formby appeared in more than 20 films, including: Keep Fit, Spare a Copper, George in Civvy Street, Get Cracking, No Limit. 24. Hindley Town Hall. 25. Wigan and Leigh Hospice at Kildare Street, Hindley. 26. Carnegie Library in Pemberton. 27. Lord Gerard opened the Carnegie Library at Ashton in 1906. 28. Howe Bridge Sports Centre. 29. The writer, James Hilton was born at 26 Wilkinson Street, Leigh. 30. Probably the best known film made from his novels is ‘Goodbye Mr Chips’. 31. Morris dancers beside the Abram sign. 32. St. Luke’s Church, Lowton. 33. . 34. The obelisk near St Mary’s Church and the Turnpike, Leigh. 35. The Turnpike Centre, Leigh. 36. The Maypole Colliery disaster, 1908. 37. Fountain in Market Square, Tyldesley. 38. Dam House, Astley. 39. Pit head, Astley Green Colliery Museum.

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FRIENDS NEWS Continued from page 21 Dootson indexing project at Leigh. The culprits? A particularly prolific pair However, we still need your help. In from Upholland, Gerry Rigby and Alan particular, people are required to help the Maloney. The 1901 Census for the areas newspaper indexing project go more of Hindley and Ince, about to be smoothly in Wigan, and to gain some completed, are good examples of the pair momentum with the ‘Dootson’ indexing being able to apply modern technology to project in Leigh. For the newspapers, we old records and produce useful resources need someone to tackle the input of the as a result. Just Leigh, Atherton and transcribed data onto cards to form the Tyldesley to go now! Gerry who, working index (manual typewriter), while in Leigh with a small team has produced and we need at least two more people to work refined many finding aids for us over the with Max on compiling the basic list past few years, is also currently working covered problems with transport to (pencil and paper). Please contact me, with some existing Census indexes from meetings, events and activities, facilities Philip Butler, at the History Shop if you 1891, capturing them in an electronic in parks and open spaces, and provisions think you can help. form so that they can be searched on the for young people. computer and incorporated in a much Specifically for the Friends of Wigan Recent additions during the next few wider database of census returns. Heritage Service, the vast range of months are: Recently in the study area we made information held in the History Shop was 1841 Census Index by the Friends of available microfilm records of ceremonies reported, together with the progress Wigan Heritage Service. This index with at Shevington St. Anne’s: Baptisms being made through projects and events Christian names and ages included, 1873-1926, Marriages 1887-1928, like the Family History Workshops. allowing family groups to be built, is Burials 1889-1914. But more recently Max Finney, another of our Friends almost ready. It is now available for use still, Gerry, with the assistance of his but this time talking on behalf of the Over at the Study area in the History Shop, and team, has provided us with an index to 50’s Forum in Wigan, gave an account of we are hoping to have it fully available to all ceremonies at Shevington St. Anne’s the Legacy project, the Community purchase on CD by the autumn. The price between these dates. Keep up the History of the Wigan Townships. This is is likely to be the same, initially, as for excellent work, Gerry. now underway and Max was appealing for 1861 (just £7). But be quick, once the Neither the 1891 nor the 1901 contributions. “The legacy of the past initial sales of this disc have been dealt projects are going to be finished, though, being accumulated will become today’s with, we will be putting the price up, without the areas of Leigh, Atherton and legacy for the future.” He stated that probably to around the £10 mark. Given Tyldesley being tackled. Special thanks at items from local townships’ past such as the feedback we have had so far on the the moment go to Bob Newton for his photographs, postcards, posters and 1861 disk this would still constitute one of sterling work on the area for 1891, but he memorabilia would be welcomed. the bargains of the year! is working alone and it is slow going. We More 1901 census index areas are would be very happy to hear from anyone being added to our paper collections in with the talent for indexing and an interest Heritage Service Voluntary the search room each week, it seems. in that side of our borough. Work and Projects The last issue of Past Forward (no 36 p.24) contained a detailed report on the projects currently underway. It is very encouraging to think how much excellent work is being done that otherwise the Heritage Service would simply not be able to tackle. It is equally gratifying to note that all this work is vital in its own way and researchers and casual observers for generations to come will benefit from it. Thank you to everyone who has spared their precious time to help over the last two years and thanks in advance for the next two. This report did make an appeal for more people to get involved in our projects. I am delighted to report that at our last Friends meeting on 5 May we were able to welcome new members Freda Chorlton and Brian Worthington. Freda has quickly busied herself with work on our census indexing projects, while Brian was keen to volunteer on the There it is! Friend Simon Martin has another success 24

Ashton-in-Makerfield Probus Club August, at 7.30 p.m., in the Hall Green Members of the Club are retired SOCIETY NEWS Community Centre, Upholland. Beginners business/professional people, who meet at and more experienced family historians the Angel Hotel, Ashton-in-Makerfield on the welcome. Details from Simon Martin 1st Wednesday of every month at 11.00 To all Secretaries (01942 702594). a.m. New members welcome, details from Would Secretaries please note the 28 September Alan Bradshaw (01942 726493) copy deadline on p2, and ensure that Family History Course – Manorial Records Simon Martin Aspull & Haigh Historical Society you send in all details of your 26 October We meet in Our Lady’s R.C. Church Hall, meetings up to Christmas 2004 for Probate Inventories Showing Everyday Life Haigh Road, Aspull on the 2nd Thursday in inclusion in the next issue. Thanks. in the Past Diane Winterbottom the month at 7.30 p.m. Details from 23 November Barbara Rhodes (01942 222769) every month at 7.30 p.m. in the Derby Room Family History Course – Parish Registers of Leigh Library. Details from Olive Hughes Simon Martin Atherton Heritage Society (01942 741594). Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of Standish Probus Club the month at 7.30 p.m. at St. Richards Leigh Literary Society Members are retired business and Jubilee Hall, Atherton. Details from Meetings are held in the Derby Room at the professional people. Meetings, which are Margaret Hodge (01942 884893) Turnpike Centre, on alternate Monday open to both men and women, are held at 10 August evenings at 7.30 p.m. Details from Tony ‘The Owls’, Rectory Lane, Standish on the The World of Dickens B Schreider Ashcroft, Local History Officer, Leigh Library 2nd Tuesday of every month at 10.30 a.m. 14 September (01942 404559) New members welcome. Details from The Curiosities of Lancashire P Robinson 4 October Bryan Shepherd (01257 424994) 12 October Stick Around Brian White 18 October Tyldesley & District Historical Society Walkden - Out of Step (preceded by AGM) Literary Lakeland Margaret Curry Meetings are held on the 3rd Thursday of Glen Atkinson 1 November every month from September to May at the 9 November Farming Experiences Ian Addison Tyldesley Pensioners club on Milk Street at Samuel Coulthurst John Aldred 15 November 7.30 p.m. Refreshments available. Contact 14 December The Life & Times of a Butler Donald Lodge Tony Rydings (01942 514271) or The Brownings in Italy (plus Christmas 29 November [email protected]. Visit our website buffet) Lizzie Jones On the Home Front Len Hudson at www.tyldesleyhistoricalsociety.co.uk. 13 December Atherton Probus Club Everything in the Garden’s Lovely Tyldesley Probus Club This is a non-political and non-sectarian Club Agatha Brown Members of the Club meet at Tyldesley for retired professional/businessmen, who Methodist Church, Eliot Street, on alternate meet in St Richard Parish Centre, Mayfield Leigh Local History Society Thursday mornings at 10.30 a.m., from 7 Street, on alternate Thursday afternoons at Meetings are held in the Derby Room, Leigh October until May 2005. The Club is for 1.30 p.m., from 30 September until May Library, on the last Wednesday of the retired business/professional mane and is 2005. New members welcome. Details from month. Details from Norma Ackers (01942 non-political and non-sectarian. New Ron Collier (0161 790 1819). 865488) members welcome. Details from Cedric 29 September Evans (0161 790 5166). Billinge Local History Society The History of Catholic Lancashire For further details contact Jack Boardman, Tony Hilton Wigan Archaeological Society 38 Garswood Road, Billinge, Wigan, WN5 27 October The Society meets at the BP Centre (Scout 7TH, (01744 892613), or visit our web site The Gattys: a notable Lancashire dyeing HQ) in Greenhough Street on the 1st at www.billinge-history.com. family Wednesday of the month at 7.30 p.m. Roy Bannister-Parker & Lowton Local History 24 November Wigan Civic Trust Society Roman and Turnpike Roads in SW The Trust meets at Drumcroon Education Meetings are held at Golborne Library on Lancashire Mike Atty Arts Centre, Parsons Walk, Wigan, on the the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7.00 p.m. 2nd Monday of the month at 7.30 p.m. Non-members are welcome. Details from Leigh Probus Club Details from A.J. Grimshaw, 6 Bridgeman Derek Briscoe (01942 747366) or Jim Members of the Club, which is non- Terrace, Wigan (01942 245777). New Scotson (01942 206820). sectarian, are generally retired members always welcome. professional/businessmen. The Club 13 September Hindley History Society meets at the Leigh Masonic Hall on Lancashire Surnames Fred Holcroft We meet in the Museum at Hindley Library, alternate Thursday afternoons between 11 October Market Street at 7.00 p.m. Details from October and April. Anyone wishing to join Bounds of Upholland Dr Audrey Coney should contact H. Wilkinson (01942 13 December Joan Topping (01942 257361) or Norma 671943). The Liverpool Blitz Video Brannagan (01942 258668). 6 September Shevington Memories Group Wigan Family & Local History Society AGM This small, informal group meets each Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of 11 October Friday at 2.30 p.m. in Shevington every month (except in July and August) in Mining James Bathey Methodist Church (New Lounge), to share the Springfield Hotel, Springfield Road, The Museum has also been open three memories about old times. Anyone is Wigan, at 7.30 p.m. for 8.00 p.m. The times per month – two Friday mornings and welcome. Details from Maurice Hilton meetings alternate between members’ one Saturday. Future dates are: 6, 20, 21 (01942 223107). evenings and external speakers. Further August; 10, 24, 25 September; 8,22, 23 information from John Wogan, 678 October; 12, 26, 27 November; 3, 18, 19 Skelmersdale & Upholland Family Warrington Road, Goose Green, Wigan WN3 December. History Society 6XN or email [email protected]. Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of You can also visit our website at Leigh & District Family History Society each month, except December, July and www.ffhs.org.uk/members/wigan.htm. Meetings are held on the 3rd Tuesday of 25

Mary Lee, the last woman to work underground at Atherton Collieries Ellen Smith’s fascinating reminiscences for ‘Carbon’, the magazine of Atherton Collieries in 1921 UP to now the writers stoke up the boilers, and of reminiscences for Foreword get back in time to stop Carbon have usually the engine when the cage started by giving the FLETCHER Burrows and Company operated Atherton reached the top. As well as Collieries from 1874 until the formation of Manchester looking after his engine dates on which they Collieries in 1929. The Fletchers had far earlier began working for the associations with coalmining in Atherton, right back to at and boilers he did most of firm; it is difficult for me least 1768 when a lease was taken out by them to allow the tub repairing and to say when I was first mining operations. joinering, but later on as employed here, as I have The company had always had a uniquely caring the work increased, the lived at Gibfield all my approach to their mining community, its moral and stoking and winding were life, and have never spiritual well-being, general welfare and leisure facilities. done by others, and he worked a day for any In 1919 they began to publish a magazine called ‘Carbon’, gave all his time to firm but this one. probably the first of its kind in the industry. The impetus joinering etc. was probably due to the influence of Clement Fletcher, who had a fascination with the history of the industry in Born in 1846 Col. Fletcher Atherton and had a real soft spot for the mining community. The magazine included a range of articles, My father Thomas from debating societies to travel, from mining history to When the old engine Blakeley first worked for updates on local colliery activities. house was built - it stood Colonel Ralph Fletcher at A series of reminiscences from older employees were just about where the Darcy Lever, and in 1827 published in ‘Carbon’ in the early 1920’s. These show that present mess room is - a after Colonel Fletcher some had worked for the company for over 60 years! Their small cottage was put up came to Atherton my clear memories of Atherton in the middle of the 19th quite near it in which my father came to live at century and the even earlier memories of those around father and mother lived. I Gibfield. I believe his first them who could recall the 1820’s are very important. They was born there in 1846. job in Atherton was to add meat to the superbly clear and detailed 1st edition OS Our kitchen door was maps of Atherton in 1849, a semi rural world of small right opposite the boilers, repair some of the old scale industry, open fields, dirt roads and newly arrived water wheels in various railways. and I remember several parts of the village. There This particular reminiscence is one of the more occasions when the was one at Cox’s Farm fascinating examples and tells us of the old and probably boilers ran dry we had to [south of Atherton Central late 18th century waterwheel winding collieries dotted get up in the middle of the Station], one at Molefield around the area. The watercourses for these can still be night and go out in case [Howe Bridge], and seen. The lady also recalls early ladder pits and the they should blow up. several others [between precarious arrival of steam winding and mentions the last There was a patch of Howe Bridge and Wigan woman to work underground. ground outside the front Road]. I have often heard Anyone interested in reading other ‘Carbon’ magazines door on which coal used to my father speak of his can find them in the Studies section of Leigh Library. be heaped, and when Alan Davies there was a lot down we early days here. When he Heritage Officer (Archives) first came there were no could not use the front buildings of any kind at door at all and could only Gibfield and just one old ment] up ‘Far Atherton’ my father took when the get in and out the back ladder pit. There were a [east of Schofield Lane] building was pulled down way. The offices were number of these old ladder which, of course, was not at the time the Arley Pit under the same roof as pits in different parts of worked within my mem- was being sunk [in our cottage, but they were the village, several down ory, but which my father 1872]. At that time a very different from the the Tyldesley Old Road, often talked about. When wooden engine house was present ones. There were and one or two at the top the old engine house was put up temporarily, after just two small rooms - one of the Leigh Road, built in 1829 [alongside which the present building upstairs and one opposite the cemetery. Stephenson’s 1828 Bolton was erected. downstairs - and later on a to Leigh Railway] most of In his early days my second room was built Old Gin Pit the work was done by a father was engine winder upstairs over our kitchen. man named Alexander as well as stoker; he used In her lifetime my There was also an old Hayes and my father. I still to start the cage coming mother was the office gin pit [a horse wound have the date stone up, then run down the winding wheel arrange- marked 1829 R.F. which steps to the engine house, Ô 26

caretaker, and I remember towards Atherton - she was the last woman to ‘Captain’ helping her to dust the Chowbent as it was then - work down the pit in rooms when I was a very it was quite open. Wigan Atherton [women’s days I could tell many small child. She died when Road was little more than underground ended by amusing and interesting I was nearly 13 years old, a lane and, except for a law in 1842, although stories of Gibfield and and since that time I have few shops and cottages in many still were to be Chowbent in the old days, looked after the offices Market Street, there were found at collieries for but one story my father without a break of any fields everywhere. I often years afterwards]. used to tell always kind - that is for over 62 used to go to see my Coal winding was a remains in my memory. years. At one time one of mother’s people who lived very slow process An old horse named the cashiers - John King - at Tyldesley Fold, near compared to today’s ‘Captain’ which formerly lived with us and I always New Brook, and it was activity. In the old days, if belonged to Major John remember the cash box he quite a country walk. a specially important order Langshaw [a cousin of the used to take up to his There was, of course, no had to be got out, the men Fletchers who joined the bedroom. There were no Lancashire and Yorkshire were told of it at the company in 1840], was safes in the offices as there railway line and I used to beginning of the day, and used for all sorts of odd are now, and all the money go across the fields the the firm provided them jobs about the pit head. He that could not be taken to whole way. So far as I with bread and cheese and was a great favourite with the bank was put in this remember the only two beer when they came up if everyone. One day he got cash box each night. buildings I passed were the order was completed. Spa Farm and Hag Fold. In Up till quite recently out of his stable - which Fields everywhere those days men thought Whitsuntide was a great was quite near the pit nothing of walking three holiday in Atherton and, shaft - and whilst rubbing When first I remember, or four miles to their work as the pits were closed himself against the doors Gibfield was a very and as they spent from 10 down for a week, all the at the top of the shaft he different place from what to 12 hours down the pit, ponies were brought up managed to get them open it is now. There was the they had very long days. for a holiday. The boys and fell down. Mercifully it engine house, a stable, the who looked after them was in the days of the old wagon shop, joiners shop, Mary Lee used to take a great deal of ladder pit so he stopped at and an old saw pit, and trouble to make the ponies the first stage. He was the rest was green fields. I can just remember look as nice as possible hauled up with much There were, of course, a one woman working down when they came up, and a difficulty, none the worse few farms round about, the pit - Mary Lee - who big crowd used to gather for his adventure, except but apart from these there worked as a drawer at the pit head to see for the loss of one of his were practically no [pushing full and empty them. The boys used to shoes - which my father buildings of any kind. tubs around below parade them round Bag kept. This shoe still hangs There were a few old ground] for her father. She Lane and Leigh Road to a above my kitchen houses in Bag Lane, with was a very big woman, field in Howe Bridge, mantlepiece, along with a beautiful gardens and big and did not seem to find where they remained until number of other relics of orchards, but looking the job too heavy. I believe the pits began work again. bygone days.

1849 6” O.S. Map 27

South Pemberton Brass Band My father was one of 13 children (nine of whom survived to become adults). The family lived for a time in a terraced house in Enfield Street, Pemberton - can one imagine accommodating nine children, two parents and a grandfather in what must have been a two-bedroom property?! He developed three particular interests which distinguished him from his peer group. Firstly, as a teenager he studied steam engines at Wigan Mining and Technical College and became a colliery winding engineman; South Pemberton Brass Band at Wigan Hippodrome secondly, at the age of 22 he became a qualified referee (I top of the poverty in the area (or date and venue when a Brass Band have a photograph of him at the age perhaps it suggests low (a predecessor or some other band) of 10 as part of the Pemberton attendances?). The band’s surplus played at a field day at Upholland in Colliery School rugby league team of for that year appears to have been 1928,1929 or 1930, because it was 1910/11 which had won the local just over £2. at this event, I was told, that my championship and been awarded As a small boy I recall their parents met. I have studied in vain watches and chains; for some performing in Mesnes Park, Wigan, the parish magazines for St Thomas reason, however, he chose not to and I know that they also played at the Martyr at the Archives Office in pursue a playing career). Thirdly, church walking days and field Leigh. Can anyone help please with he learned to play the piano and the treats. Again the accounts show the details of the bands playing for the cornet. This latter skill led him, in following amongst other entries for Upholland Field Days in those his late 20’s, to establish the South 1934: years? Pemberton Brass Band of which he 3 June was bandmaster. It is about this St Johns Pemberton Roy Ainscough band that I would particularly Field Treat £7-0-0 6 Delville Avenue welcome any information your 1 July Keyworth readers might be able to provide. I St Lukes Orrell Field Nottingham NGI2 5JA should emphasise that this was not Treat and Sermons £10-11-4 Tel 0115-9373419 the Pemberton Old Band but may, in 8 July email: fact, have replaced it. St Matthews Highfield [email protected] What I know is that the band Field Treat and Sermons £9-0-0 was officially set up in 1932.1 have its draft constitution from a firm of The Band also entered local solicitors, a couple of local Band contests at photographs and the Treasurer’s Standish, Atherton, Skel- account book for the period 1931- mersdale and, on at least one 43. The latter gives a glimpse of the occasion. in 1934, the engagements from the detailed prestigious contests held at income and expenditure statements. , Manchester; For example, there are entries unfortunately. However, I showing that the following sums have no record of their were collected from the crowds performances. watching Wigan Athletic in the Should any of your autumn of 1933: readers be interested in 20 Sept seeing these papers I would Wigan Athletic 7s. 0p. be willing to arrange for them 14 Oct to view them, perhaps on one Wigan Athletic v Lytham 9s. l0p. of my occasional visits to the 25 Nov town. 1 Wigan Athletic 6s. 1 /2p. Meanwhile I would welcome any information on the These may have been generous Band and its predecessors. voluntary contributions at a time Moreover, I would part- when there was unemployment on icularly like to establish the 28

The Burning Wells of Wigan That gas is associated with coal surface of the dry earth at the same It seemed to waste and I believe deposits is not a relatively new area point, where the water burned would not have burnt in that of knowledge. In 300 BC both Plato before; the fumes took fire and manner long; but while it was and Aristotle mention burning stone burned very bright and vigorous. I burning they put water in the hole, and spiritus (gas). In any area like then caused a bucket full of water to and the flame continued upon the Wigan Borough where the upper be poured on the fire, by which it water as if it had been spirits. And strata is mainly coal measures, was presently quenched……….the some people said they used to boil methane and other gases associated fumes here mentioned were eggs there. in smaller percentages have always inflammable air or hydrogen gas, of That which seem’d most strange found their way to the surface. which the rapid ascent through the was that the vapour should come Methane is a light, combustible, water gave it the appearance of through the water and burn, and no gaseous hydrocarbon, (CH4), boiling” bubbling of the water appear. It produced artificially by the dry seems to infer that the vapour distillation of many organic The Burning Well of 1676 permeates the body of the water, as substances, such as the decaying Roger North describes the water through sands. But, I vegetation of coal measures forests existence of seepages of gas in the question, if the body were not fluid, over 250 million years ago, and borough, probably in the Wigan but rigid, as glass, whether the occurring today as a natural product area. This particular example is vapour would so easily pass it; for of decomposition in stagnant pools, almost certainly The Burning Well, the perpetual action of the fluid parts whence its name. Methane occurs actually shown as such on the 1849 facilitates the passage. And it is naturally with coal, bonded to the OS map alongside Dog Pool brook, some demonstration how easily the internal surface of the pores within opposite the site of Hindley and effluvia of a magnet may permeate the structure along with other gases. Abram Grammar School, now Park glass, metals, and every palpable Often these gases would be vented High Teachers Centre. substance we are acquainted with, into the general body of the air and During a journey homewards as we continually observe of them.” never noticed. The amount of from Lancaster, North states: In Baines’ Gazetteer of the County methane associated with coal can “The greatest wonder his Palatine of Lancaster of 1825 he vary from almost zero cubic metres Lordship [Francis North, Baron mentions the Hindley Burning Well per tonne to as much as 25 cubic Guildford] saw was what they call and states: metres. the Burning Well. The manner of it is “The springs in the Today the study of methane this. First in some place where they neighbourhood of Wigan are seepage is a highly specialised area know the sulphurous vapour numerous………..There is at Hindley probed into worldwide by scientists perspires (often in a ditch) they dig a phenomenon of great rarity called and the level of knowledge is up a turf, and clap it down in its The Burning Well. On applying a staggering. We know now, for place again and then they are ready lighted candle to the surface of the instance, that the flames associated for projection. water, there is suddenly a large with burning phenomenon can be When the show company are flame produced, which burns ignited by traces of hydrogen come, a man takes up the turf, and vigorously; the water will not, phosphide sometimes found near after a little puffing of a brown paper however, burn detached from the decaying organic matter. match gives fire and instantly the well, for on taking up a dishful, and hole is filled with a blue spirituous holding a lighted candle to it, the Sir Thomas Shirley 1667 flame like brandy. Our first account comes in 1667 Continued on page 30 from Sir Thomas Shirley in his paper to the Royal Society. He states: “About a mile from Wigan in Lancashire is a spring, the water of which is supposed to burn like oil. It is true that when we came to the spring, and applied a lighted candle to the surface of the water, there was suddenly a large flame produced, which burned vigorously………The people of this town did confidently affirm that the Water of this Spring did burn like Oyle. Upon making a dam, and hindering the recourse of freshwater to the burning place of the water, I caused that which was already there to be drained away, and then Geological fault lying below the Burning Well Hindley opposite Park High applying the burning candle to the Teachers Centre. 1849 6” O.S. Map 29

rain formerly made it burn much hole through a heap of clay, near a fiercer, now after rain it would scarce little rill, and takes fire on the The Burning burn at all…………….I hired a application of the flame of a candle, person to make a dam in the the carbonated [carburetted] Wells of Wigan ditch………about the depth of half a hydrogen, a black oily liquid, boiling yard. We found a shelly coal, and the up and bubbling continually at the ––––– candle being then put down in the bottom, while the flame ascends Continued from page 29 hole, the air catched fire, and about half a yard high.” continued burning. By the time John Leyland was I observed that there had formerly compiling his Memorials of Hindley flame goes out. The water in the well been coal pits in the same close of in 1873 both sites were not active boils and rises up, like water in a pot ground; and I then got some coal either as wells or as visitor upon the fire, though on immersing from one of the pits nearest attractions any more. A glance at the the hand in the liquid no warmth is thereunto, which I distilled in a retort geological survey shows that the communicated, but a strong breath of in an open fire. At first there came Derby Lane well lay virtually on top wind bears upon the hand while wile over only phlegm, afterwards a black of a major fault, gas revealing itself at over the place whence the flame oil, and then likewise a spirit arose, that particular place by bubbling up issues…………the cone of the flame which I could noways condense. I through the water, but probably ascends a foot and a half from the observed that the spirit which issued coming to the surface in many other earth, with a basis of about 14 out caught fire at the flame of the places along the fault outcrop. inches in diameter. An egg may be candle and continued burning with boiled in a small vessel above it.” violence as it issued out, in a stream, The Hawkley Well and which I blew out, and lighted again, Faulted ground venting gas Will O’th Wisp alternatively, for several times. Looking at the geological survey The exact location of this site has I fixed a bladder, squeezed and plans we find that the Hindley been lost. The occurrence is void of air, to the pipe of the Burning well lay right on top of a mentioned in England Described, receiver……... the spirit blew up the major fault. Here the strata has been published by William Bancks of bladder. I kept this spirit in the dislocated by nearly 700 metres Wigan in 1788; bladders a considerable time, and making an ideal conduit to allow gas “Some years since, near this town endeavoured several ways to under pressure to force its way to the was a well which did not appear to condense it, but in vain. And when I surface. The relatively porous broken be a spring, but rather rain water; at had a mind to divert strangers or ground of the fault taps gas from first sight there was nothing about it friends, I have frequently taken one many seams and probably still does that seemed extraordinary, but upon of these bladders, and pricking a hole today, so teachers should be careful emptying it there presently broke out therein with a pin, and compressing where you throw matches when next a sulphurous vapour which made the gently the bladder near the flame of at Park High on a training course! water bubble up as if it boiled. the candle till it once took fire, it When a candle was put to it, it would then contnue flaming till all presently took fire, and burned like Dr John Clayton the spirit was compressed out of the brandy; the flame, in a clam season The Revd John Clayton (1657- bladder.” would continue sometimes a whole 1725) was the son of Richard Clayton It is interesting to note that day, by the heat whereof they could of Preston. He is known to have been Clayton recognised the varying boil eggs, meat, etc though the water intrigued by the gas emissions in the emissions of gas coincided with was cold. By this bubbling the water Wigan area and collected samples. periods of varying air pressure, more did not increase, but was only kept in Although Dr Clayton’s com- gas being emitted during low motion by the constant halitus of the munications in relation to gas in the pressure rainy spells. Ex miners vapours breaking out. today will remember low pressure Wigan area were only published after The same water, taken out of the spells danger as gas is released from his death by the Royal Society he is well would not burn, nor the mud the strata more readily. upon which the the halitus had known to have sent his findings to beaten; and this shews that it was the famous Robert Boyle in 1684 The Derby Lane Well, Hindley not so much the water that took fire when aged 27. James Stirling, active in the Royal as some bituminous or sulphureous The part of his letter to Boyle Society in the 1740’s, describes fumes that broke out there. published as “An Experiment another well at the end of Derby This burning well (as it was concerning the Spirit of Coals………” Lane, Hindley, to the north west of called) is lost, supposed to be owing in 1739 by the Royal Society contains the present Town Hall. He said that to the coal works about the Hawkley the following interesting sections; the water boiled and rose up like demesne, (near where it was). “Having seen a ditch within two water in a pot upon the fire, though Experiments may be made in many miles from Wigan in Lancashire, his hand put into it felt no warmth. places in Wigan and the wherein the water would seemingly The flame rises in a cone-like form, neighbourhood similar to it, and it is burn like Brandy, the flame of which with a circular base about the said by the miners, these places are is so fierce, that several strangers circumference of a man’s hat at the generally found, where is what they have boiled eggs over it, the people brim. call a fault, which may be perceived thereabouts indeed affirm, that about A description of the Derby Lane by little bubbles of water on the top 30 years ago it would have boiled a well in 1835 states; piece of beef; and that whereas much “The gas ascends out of a small Ô 30

shapes, others small brooks. Harry Forshaw and Phil Gregory of , on hearing of my researches, informed me that the boundary between Atherton and Westhoughton at Hall Lee Brook, alongside Schofield Lane was for many years known as The Burning Brook. About 50 years ago the area was regarded as a visitor attraction. A match thrown onto the surface of the brook would ignite methane gas bubbling up, to be extinguished by throwing a large brick or stone into the brook. A glance at the geological survey shows the area to be intersected by faults and outcrops of the King and Cannel seams. In 1975 a farmer near Rogers Farm Sewage Works, Westhoughton described how after ploughing his field he could ignite furrows in certain areas.

In Conclusion In the Wigan Borough we have progressed a long way from the days of Will O’Th Wisp and Jack O’Th 1849 6” O.S. Map of Hindley showing the geological fault passing below Lantern superstitions. We have the site of the Derby Lane Well. passed through 600 years of coal extraction and can free our minds of the ground, ditches, or other Wisps were associated with spirits of from worries that the area is one places, and which will immediately the dead who could not enter either huge high pressure gasometer, and take fire on applying a lighted candle heaven or hell, wandering the earth that probably it is now just a slightly thereto; or (as it has been found to be leading foolish travellers astray. smaller gasometer! nothing more than the fiery damp) if collected into a bladder, by putting a Divine retribution? Regional names for the phenomenon: lighted candle to it, will make an Methane seepages around the Hertfordshire and East Anglia: explosion like a cannon: from such Hawkley area dramatically came to The Hobby Lantern exhalations, it is said, proceed, the light once more in January 1933. The Lancashire: Will with a Whisp, or Jack with a maid at Goose Green St Pauls Will O’th Wisp, Jack O’th Lantern, Lanthorn, or, as they are commonly, vicarage, which dated back to around Peg-a-Lantern (though vulgarly) called in 1700, was startled by an explosion in Cornwall and Somerset: Lancashire, a going fire.” Joan the Wad the drawing room and alarmed by Although written in 1788 when East Anglia: geological knowledge was still blue gaseous flames shooting The Lantern Man relatively in its infancy this account through crevices between the Shropshire: shows that the Wigan miners floorboards. A valuable collection of Will the Smith themselves suspected a link with china was smashed to pieces. Worcestershire: geological faults. Working below The colliery manager at Pinket ground they would be used to Pemberton Colliery, T. Cook was The West Country: blowers of gas (the fiery damp as called, along with gas department Jacky Lantern, Jack a Lantern they called it) being associated with officials and firemen. They removed Wales: faults or faulty ground. floorboards and probed amongst the Pwca and the Ellylldan This early use of the terms Will brick foundations, even making a Norfolk: with a Whisp (or Will O’th Wisp) and small tunnel from the area out into Will o the Wikes Warwickshire Gloucestershire: Jack with a Lanthorn (Jack O’th the garden to divert the gas. This was Hobbedy’s Lantern to no avail, as the gas continued to Lantern) is interesting as viewed by North Yorkshire, Northumberland: those walking through the borough’s ignite for nine hours after the initial Jenny with the Lantern fields in the 18th century. The explosion. Eventually the gas blower imbibing of copious amounts of was exhausted and no further Other names: locally brewed ale no doubt problems occurred. Corpse candles - related to graveyards heightened the experience! The and funeral processions. earlier the description of burning Blazing Borough Boundaries Igis Fatuus - Latin for ‘foolish fire’. phenomenon the more colourful the Most of our area’s boundaries go Alan Davies conclusions. In many places Will O’th unnoticed, many following field Heritage Officer (Archives) 31

My Memory of World War II By Beth Slevin (nee Rigby) I WAS training to be a nurse at walked down some steps and across though they had been in a clearly Manchester Royal Infirmary the centre – all out of step of course – marked hospital ship. They all had to and escorted to seats reserved for us. be rescued from the water, and lost all on 3 September 1939 when, as There we watched as other personnel their possessions; unlike us, though, I walked down the long corri- and troops marched across in time to we were told that they had all been dors at 11.15am, I heard over the military music. It turned out we laughing and joking, and had been the radio those memorable were in the Albert Hall for the kitted out in men’s khaki uniforms. November 11 Annual Memorial Incidentally, while I was in Algiers I words of Neville Chamberlain, Service for the war dead. We were was able to call for a few minutes to “we are now at war with taken back as quickly as we had come, see a friend who had been in this Germany”. in order to disperse the hundreds of group, and I remember getting quite a For a while after the announcement soldiers who had all been under one cultural shock to see her on duty in of war, nothing much happened, and roof. No wonder the whole exercise men’s trousers with the zip at the the war seemed remote. It came close had been planned and executed front! Girls’ trousers in those days to home when we heard Hitler’s boast without any one of us knowing where always fastened at the side, and were that Manchester could expect to bury we were going. Hitler would have had anyway only worn for sport, certainly its dead on Christmas Day. Sure a field day if he had known! not for nursing in. How times have enough we got the promised raid, changed! though mainly in the town centre and Men’s Trousers At first, with our grey frocks, we it was in another raid later that our wore white aprons, white collars and nurse’s home got a direct hit with an In Hatfield we were being shoulder capes. However, as we had incendiary bomb. As we were all in the assembled to form the 31st General to wash our own clothes and had very shelter in the foundations none of us Hospital, and in January 1943 we few facilities, one by one these little were hurt, even though we had to boarded ship to go overseas. As extras were discarded, until only the walk bare foot through the broken officers we travelled with a trunk - a white caps were left floating behind glass to a safer place. real luxury - and a camp bed, plus our heads, looking deflated and sad. My ambition had been to go to three blankets. As they were for the Eventually we were also given khaki Rhodesia with a friend, as soon as we British Army they were coarse and not uniforms, because, I suppose it was had finished our training, but as the very warm. The Canadian blankets easier to supply the whole army with war started we had to think again and were much softer and the American the same colour, but we never got the decided to join the army together ones I believe were sheer luxury, but I trousers, only the skirts. instead. It did not work out quite like never even saw one of those. that as the Matron, one Miss Duff- Our destination turned out to be Spam! Grant, who was unbelievably strict, Algiers in North Africa, where we were We always seemed to be short of stopped Olive leaving at the last again re-grouped into small numbers, soap, even when we were able to buy minute. She said she had to make up to go to existing hospitals. We were a ration of gin and whisky! I never the time she had been off sick in the compared very unfavourably with the found out why. The thing I missed last four years. So I went on my own nurses who had arrived before us. to Colchester in June 1942, to join the They had been torpedoed, even Ô QAIMNS.R. (The Queen Alexandra’s Imperial Military Nursing Service Reserved). Albert Hall

After a few months I was sent to Hatfield House which had been turned into an emergency hospital. One day I, with about five others nurses, was told to get myself ready to go out wearing my ward uniform, to take a clean cap with me. We had no idea where we were going but were dropped eventually by a door, and went in. We had to wait in the queue, put our caps on, and not to talk. All of a sudden we were pushed through another door to find ourselves in an enormous circular building and, as bands played, we Nurses at Hatfield House, 1942 (Beth is centre, front row) 32

most was fresh milk. I hated the her overseas stint. As there were no The hospital was comparatively powdered milk we always got. The phones it was difficult to make good, and as the 97th hospital was far highlight where food was concerned arrangements to meet, even if we back from the front line by the time I was spam. We loved it! I often wonder could manage to get transport, so I got there, the patients were very now whether it really was the same as only went to see her once. On the visit varied. Some were just ill with things the spam you can buy today. I realized how lucky we were, for like malaria and hepatitis; others I pitied the poor patients. They conditions there were light years needed operations such as were mainly front line casualties away from ours. I would call them appendectomy. Here we nursed a few wounded in the fighting as the battle harrowing. Yugoslavians; they looked an unhappy raged inland. They were first attended Again it was a 1200 bedded affair, lot, as well they might. We also nursed to at casualty clearing stations and made up of Nissan huts and tents, but some Ghurkhas who sat stoically then sent on to us. They were mainly there the nurses slept in small tents upright with straight backs and crossed gun-shot wounds, and we dressed holding two or three. In the hospital legs, never uttering a sound. I could them with the new magic powder that compound the latrines were called believe they are very, very brave. had just been discovered, penicillin. ‘Indian tents’. They comprised a The maids were Italians and we square hessian tent with a flap for a could not speak the language; all I No Love Lost door. The room inside was divided could say was “lavari tutti presto” into two by a hessian screen, behind which I hope means “wash everything Part of the hospital was fenced off which was a so called ‘wooden coffin’ quickly”. This seemed to have the as a prisoner of war compound for with four holes in it. As most of the desired effect, as they got on with wounded Germans. The senior sister summer they had gippy tummies, whatever they could see needed to be over them was very strict, and they there was a permanent queue on one done. use to stay that she was too good for side of the hessian screen, waiting for We saw little of the war. It is hard the British Army – they admired the privilege to sit on one of the holes to realize how little of the war news discipline! We also had German on the other side. To make matters we heard during all our time overseas, orderlies working in the hospital. worse the ration of ‘army form blank’ as no one had a radio, so we did not Prisoners could choose whether they (toilet paper to you) was only five really know what was going on. would work for us ‘on parole’, a pieces per person per day! The toilets In Africa we had had no time off, promise not to try and escape, or go to in the nurse’s compound were only a but things were different now, and we a prisoner of war camp. Many chose to little better. The walls of these were all had regular holidays. A week I work for us, though when our hospital made of beaten out petrol cans with think it was, every four months. We left North Africa, they would not work the same dividing wall of hessian and went to YWCA hostels, set up for the for the Italians who were left in a wooden coffin seat. However, here purpose, in nine places. I had a lovely charge, and so went cheerfully to there was extra hessian draped week in Sorrento, visiting Capri, and prison. There was no love lost between between each hole to give more another one later on Ischia; my last the Italians and the Germans. The privacy. holiday was in Rome, so wasn’t I the Italians were furious that the Now to this picture add the heat, lucky one? Germans, our enemy, were allowed to the dreadful smell and the swarms of work on the wards, while they had to flies, with their attendant maggots! It Home Again do the more menial tasks. The has to be endured to be believed, no Germans on their part could not words of mine are adequate. No I volunteered to go to India in June forgive the Italians for changing sides wonder everyone there had almost 1945, and so was sent home for some so easily when they were needed permanent tummy trouble, for those leave. When I arrived in Wigan, a man most. But on the whole, compared flies were everywhere. They got on called Jim Slevin, my sister-in-law’s with the violence at today’s football the food and in your mouth. In the brother, who I had never seen before, matches, everyone got along very well. orthopaedic ward the flies got under met me at the station. My parents had the patients plasters and were so bad The Army went to great lengths to asked him to meet me, as he was the that the maggots had to be swept up see that the mail was delivered to the only person they knew who had a car off the floor everyday! Mind you these troops, even if it had to follow them tucked away in the garage. It was love maggots did no harm; in fact they round from place to place. Our at first sight for both of us, and before seemed to clean up the wounds. The regimental sergeant major was my leave was up he had asked me to trouble was the terrible sensation the therefore not very amused one day, marry him, and I had said ‘yes’. I had patients felt as they crawled round when a spitfire came low over the a lovely two weeks at home with the inside the plaster. hospital and dropped a small tin box family, and then I had to go back on with a ‘handkerchief’ parachute. In it duty. was a letter addressed to me. Italian Coast Well, of course, I never did get to Unfortunately it landed in the POW India. First it was VE day on 8 May, compound just as the colonel was In October 1943 I was moved with and then VJ day on 14 August. I asked doing his round. You can imagine the one nurse to Bari in Southern Italy, to to be released from the army and telling off I got! the 98th General Hospital. The nurses’ came home to marry Jim on 26 home was a brand new building, but November 1945. I did have to go back Harrowing unfortunately there were bed bugs to Headington for a few weeks after already under the plaster on the wall, the honeymoon, but came home for The 100th General Hospital was brought in on the workmen’s clothing. good after that. about 10 miles inland from us and it We thought they were fleabites until Beth Selvin was there that my friend Olive began told otherwise. Standish Wigan 33

Wiganers at Rorke’s Drift by Fred Holcroft

I RECENTLY made the trip of a small that the salient features can Dennis Delaney, Private 4435, lifetime. Well, I had to wait a still be followed and there are Lancashire Fusiliers, 18 Anderton lifetime before I got the chance to excellent supportive exhibitions Street, Wigan, age 24 make the trip. Fifty years after first (plus souvenir shop!). Michael Green, Private 4449, hearing the name ‘Spion Kop’1 I Given the number of Lancashire Lancashire Fusiliers, 41 Victoria was able to visit the site of that regiments present at Spion Street, Wigan, age 26 Boer War battle as part of my trip to Kop – Lancashire Fusiliers, Royal James Greenall (enlisted as John South Africa, to watch the Cricket Lancaster Regiment, South Lunn), Corporal 3125, Lancashire World Cup. I was also able to see Lancashire Regiment – there was Fusiliers, 80 Plank Lane, Leigh, the battlefields of Isandlwana and always the possibility of finding age 28 Rorke’s Drift, fought some 21 years local men in the thick of the action, John Heyes, Private 2967 earlier than Spion Kop. and so it proved. Over 120 local Lancashire Fusiliers, 15 Church The first thing that strikes you men were serving in these Lane, Wingates, Westhoughton, 2 on a visit to these early battlefields regiments, while eight local men age 28 is how small they were. Isandlwana were killed and lie buried with their Stewart McCorquodale, 2nd is about the size of the Robin Park comrades in the mass grave which Lieutenant in Thorneycroft’s and Asda retail complex in area, marks the line of their trench: Mounted Infantry, Newton-Le- the top of Spion Kop would fit into Willows, age 25 two cricket fields, while Rorke’s Richard Barlow, Private 4999, Isaac Pratt, Private 2912, drift is only slightly larger than two Lancashire Fusiliers, 38 Aldred Lancashire Fusiliers, 48 Bolton tennis courts. Street, Tyldesley, age 24 Street, Chorley, age 29 (born in The dramatic events of all three Wilfred Brogan, Private Royal Wigan) battles can be easily reconstructed Lancaster Regiment, 3 South on the spot. Spion Kop (1900) and View, Bryn, age unknown Young McCorquodale’s family Isandlwana (1879) remain largely (who owned the well-known unchanged while, Rorke’s Drift 1 See Fred’s book, ‘The Devils Hill’, available from printing and binding firm) erected (1879), despite much recent the History Shop. Ed. 2 building around the site, it is so Listed in ‘The Devil’s Hill’. Ô British dead in the trenches at Spion Kop

34

FROM SPRING BANK TO WINSTANLEY A Story of our Time 1938 to 1948 THE Year is 1938. A family Drifts ten feet deep lived on Spring Bank in ‘Little sir Echo’ became wood wall opposite the Pemberton, the forth- popular. There is a May front door of No 72 is now One abiding memory of the war years was going on coming war not in the Queen but ‘Flash Gordan’ a tree of quite a size (I a winter’s day in December thoughts of the two boys was on at the Carlton write this in 2004). to attend a wedding in in the family. A giant cinema. In Pemberton Road we Upholland in December machine is laying tarmac In the early spring of have families with children 1940. The first flakes of on the road in Larch 1939 this family left Larch like the new arrivals – the snow began to fall as all Avenue. Two families with Avenue and settled in Hitchens, Waterworths, the family listened to Uncle lawns set together had Winstanley. Why we went Banisters and Fowles. The Tom and my father’s sister made for themselves a newcomers made friends only my mother could have Alice being married. And homemade bowling green. easily. Later when bikes told me (but never did) did it snow, for almost a The Bradys and the Berrys so No.72 (now 92) were ready for speedway week. In places it was said lived side by side. Sitting Pemberton Road became Norman Hook was the drifts were over ten on a fence we children sing our home. Baxter Pit Lane mentioned. Looking from foot deep. Before we could songs of the day, ‘Horsey, has hedgerows, which a Baxter Pit Lane towards horsey keep your tail up’ little boy could not see Windy Arbour there was was one I remember well. over. The sapling over the nothing but meadows. Continued on page 36

a personal monument, which is the history and traditions of the hair. He was wounded at Rorke’s still there today. battalion since its formation. Drift, and probably never fully With regard to the involvement An examination of the list of recovered; he was discharged from of local men, Rorke’s Drift was defenders reveals that two local the army in 1882 and spent his more of a surprise. Here 139 men men fought at Rorke’s Drift. later years in Bury. from B company 2nd/24th Warwickshires held off 4,000 Private William Neville So next time you watch ‘Zulu’ Zulus for almost 12 hours, Born in Wigan, a coal miner by remember that two of those winning 11 Victoria crosses; they trade, Neville had enlisted in the redcoats behind the barricades are have been immortalized in the film army two years earlier in February Wiganers! And any of you who are ‘Zulu’, which brought it to the 1877, aged 19 years. Only 5’ 5” researching locally may turn up attention of a wider public, tall, with fresh complexion, hazel more details of their lives. but which also unfortunately eyes and brown hair, he had perpetuated a number of served in Gibraltar and India misconceptions about the incident. before being posted to South The most important of these was Africa. In 1880 he married Sarah where the film stressed the Elizabeth Graham and, on being Welshness of the regiment discharged from the Army in 1883, involved - 24th Regiment of Foot, resumed his work in the mines, 2nd Battalion Royal Warwickshire living in Ince. In 1885 he was Regiment. True, there were a small convicted of assault and sentenced number in the ranks who had to 12 months imprisonment with enlisted from Brecon, Pembroke hard labour. The qualities needed and , but they were in a for a solider in those days were not tiny minority - of these in B always suitable for peace time! Company whose birthplaces are known, 47 were English (including Private John Smith 9 from Lancashire), 13 were Irish Born In Wigan, a labourer by and only 5 were Welsh. trade, he had enlisted in the army This confusion probably arises three years earlier on Christmas because the Army reforms of 1881 Eve 1876, aged 25 years. He was reformed the 2nd/24th Foot as the slightly taller than his fellow South Wales Borders with its depot townsman, at 5’ 7”, fresh at Brecon and an entitlement to all complexion, blue eyes and brown 35

from the Dearden Brothers. appointed by the bishop and asked what peace FROM SPRING Whenever we strayed on was a young man who was could offer. their land they appeared as born locally, Rev. Bert Life in the parish began BANK TO if by magic. “Cut them off, Bullough. A Boy’s Brigade again. Cricket returned in Jimmy”, one brother would was formed and we had 1945/46 with games in the WINSTANLEY shout to another, and see- football between local West Lancashire league. ––––– ing that Jimmy seemed church sides. Football between churches about 90 to us boys, he has My father and Wally was played on a playing Continued from page 35 no chance. We hid behind had a succession of cars in field that had grown food our garage or sometimes in the war. I remember a side for victory. Teams of note valve Singer and a Riley go home we needed the it. Tom Johnson chased us in 1946-8 were with a canvas top. The snow to melt. Then we from out of Winstanley Bickershaw Colliery, Leigh cars hardly ever moved walked home, all the family Park where we were play- Wesley Guild and, of from out of the garages. together via School lane, ing football, using two trees course, Norley Hall, loved We boys and girls would Abbey Lakes, the Stag as goalposts at one end and and hated in equal meas- open the garage door and Hotel, Orrell, Enfield Street our coats as the other. I ure. When we lads played sit in the car. I remember and past the Venture Lodge remember we escaped over against other church teams one night when my father where snow was piled over the wall but had to leave we used to train by gather- was on night turn and my the boards on both sides of our clothes behind to make ing at our back kitchen, mother was out some- the road. the escape, and our parents and running from there to where, a gang of us sitting I must speak about had to enter into negotia- St. Aidans church at in the car steering as if we Peggy and Wally Rhodes tions to recover them. Billinge and back as fast as were going somewhere, who became our next-door Every midday Baxter Pit possible. when the handbrake was neighbours. My mother would give the time by Speedway was a new taken off and the car and Peggy took to one blowing what could have interest. We ‘lads’ had our started to move, ending another and became firm been some sort of whistle. own version called cycle halfway out of the garage, friends, along with Wally, a My belief is that ‘bobby’ speedway. To make it fair caught against the slope of master of making anything Lydon was our local police- when starting, our method the drive. Naturally we all with wood. Wally made us man. His address was was to toss a small stone in fled. I can’t remember the many things including a somewhere up the Straw the air, and when it landed, punishment. bagatelle and a B17 model Yard (now renamed Spring off we would set four times Back in the 1940’s, flying fortress. Pool). My father and Uncle around a set course, anti- because anti-freeze was As a schoolboy I Ernest (his brother) were clockwise. Another game hard to obtain, car radia- remember running around special constables; Wally involved riding along tors, in the winter had to next-door and asking had Rhodes was A.R.P Warden Baxter Pit Lane, past the be drained of water. My they any lemonade, and (the air raid shelter was to pit, up the red shale tip and father was called on day or being told they had nothing the right of our front gate). down the other steep side night. Winter played havoc like that. As schoolboys What had wÅe to fear from to end in the ferns in the as frost and snow always will, I saw something that Hitler!! bottom. Our teacher, Miss May came at the wrong time. We could ride the bogey looked like lemonade and Barton, would play the My mother and I would from Dearden’s shop drank from, it. It turned piano and have us join in push the car many a morn- downhill all the way, pass- out to be white spirit! I when a signal was given. ing early to the top of Well ing the only house on the know better today. ‘The Minstrel Boy’ was a Brow to get it started. slope, no 158, past the My mother and Peg favourite. One winter’s My Grannie Berry had hedges and down to Pony went potato picking for a afternoon Miss Barton set three sons; one was Uncle Dick without doing our- day at Wadsworth farm us the task of writing down Frank, now aged 20 who selves any real harm. near to where we lived. A from the blackboard these was called up for the In the old school (built line from a song comes words: forces, and the time for 1894) barn dances and back to me, ‘The women in “Lost yesterday be- embarkation had arrived. film shows (supplied by the uplands digging tween sunrise and sunset To keep Grannie company, the vicar) were to be seen. praities speak a language two golden hours, each set I spent my summer holiday George Formby on film that the strangers do not with 60 diamond minutes, in Upholland. I slept at the was smiled at and every know’. They came home no reward if offered as they top of the house in the now and then laughed at. with bad backs and finger are gone forever”. This smallest room. I learned to dance the nails that took weeks to was written by Horace modern way, down at the repair. Mann, an American who Red shale tip school hall. It would come lived from 1796 until 1859. in useful as girls came into Dearden brothers On 5 February 1944 On 8 May 1945, told view. I remember dancing our vicar died, and I as a the nation war was over in the waltz in the middle of While Monty and choirboy said goodbye. Europe. We had won. A the road with Bessie Churchill were finding ways Today young people do not bonfire was gathered Bannister. I wonder who’s of defeating Germans, we mix as we did; boys and together on what we knew kissing her now! boys were fighting our own girls went out together in a as the ‘red shale tip’. John Berry wars. There was no rest crowd. His successor Everyone had a happy time Winstanley Wigan 36

IT WAS 11 November 1937, that time we didn’t have a Armistice Day. Betty and I car of our own and Father had been blowing bubbles never learned to drive. from a clay pipe that Uncle The Sanny Stanley Dickinson had given A Special Day us. He had a tobacco shop blanket over his arm. first week. In the second at the corner of Commercial As we drove into Swinley “We have to get your week - to their great delight - Yard, leading off the Market Lane I began to feel very case packed”, Mother said. they were allowed to sit up Place. We hadn’t been to excited. The homecoming “I’ll just go and get your and finally, after three school that day because we was ecstatic! One of the clean pyjamas and the weeks, they were able to get both had sore throats. Of neighbours, Mrs. Winter, things you’ll need.” You out of bed and walk around course we never thought had brought a most probably won’t be in very in dressing gowns. The ones about the germs we were beautiful doll with long red long. You’ll soon be home who did not own a gown sharing, when we decided to hair as a present for me. As again.” She was always very were given striped towelling get out the bubble game! We my hair was nearly the same positive in outlook. “It will be robes, which made them were delighted at the irrides- shade I fell in love with her alright” was her favorite look like children from the cent colours that made tiny and had her for many years. expression. Bible. rainbows in each dripping The bed had been When Father arrived sphere. brought downstairs, into the home he promised to visit There was a loud knock Home for Christmas front room, and I had strict very often, and goodbyes at the door. I went to answer instructions not to go into were said. Wrapped in the it. A plump faced man stood I had fondly imagined the rest of the house until enormous red blanket I was at the door. He asked where that I would be home in time further notice! I had to rest a carried to the waiting ambu- my mother was. I told him for Betty’s birthday, on 25 lot and visitors were only lance. I was very put out at that she was at the November, but this just did allowed to talk from the being carried when I could Townswomens’ Guild, which not happen. I was there for door. Betty and Roy were perfectly well have walked. she attended every six very long weeks. It was soon there to have a peep at Wednesday afternoon. my first spell of me. My teacher, Miss “Well, little girl, do you Hospital Routine homesickness and I longed Wilcock, had sent me a know that you have diphthe- for the night time to come so leather purse and there ria? It’s very infectious! We By teatime I was settled that I could have what I were lots of cards from shall have to take you for a in one of the long rows of called one of my imaginings. friends. I shall never forget nice little ride, lovey, white beds and was pleased This was when the lights that first meal at home, of wrapped in this nice red to find that there were two of were dimmed and I could grilled plaice and thin brown blanket. I’ll go and find your my old friends from school dream about being at home. bread and butter. I really mother and I’ll be back. You whom I knew. Sister Doddin It was the week before appreciated this after the can get your things ready!” was a quick bird-like nurse Christmas before there was hospital food. who ran her ward in an effi- any chance of being Christmas Day came Ambulance cient manner. Her heels discharged. very quickly after that, and clicked as she walked along. Father was determined what a day it was! The joy of With that he climbed into Parents were allowed to that I should be home for finding presents in a pillow the waiting ambulance and visit only on Wednesday and Christmas Day. He asked case at the bottom of the disappeared. I turned to Saturday afternoons. They our family doctor, Dr. Mac bed and sharing these with Betty and said, “what does had to stand outside the win- Allen, to bring pressure to the others. There was he mean by a little ride? dows and shout to the chil- bear for me to be always a selection box, and Where to?” “I expect he dren inside. The weather discharged. This was we were allowed to sample means to Whelley Hospital,” was cold and damp, it being agreed, on the condition one bar before breakfast! she said. “It’s an isolation November. The beds had that I was not allowed to Later in the day we heard hospital. Lots of people in been pushed up to the high contact any other children the Salvation Army band my class have got diphtheria windows. Some of the more for another two weeks. My playing carols in the street, and they have all gone to fortunate parents were brother and sister were and after dinner we played Whelley.” allowed to stand on the allowed to peep round the with our new game, I was not pleased at this verandah. Conversation was door! Monopoly (at that time it prospect. “I don’t think somewhat limited. “Have I felt sorry for the other cost 7s. 6d!). Then at three mother will let me go”, I ven- you had your heggs?” bel- children, but very pleased for o’clock we were all ready to tured hopefully. “She might lowed Mr. Smith to his myself when I was told that I listen to the King’s speech. have to!” Betty said. “I don’t daughter. “Yes, Dad!” came would be going home. On The day flew by, in the think we have any choice in the reply, “we had them for the Friday before Christmas I warmth and love of my own the matter. It’s the law - so tea”. Breakfast consisted of was told by Sister to get family. that other people don’t get curled up sandwiches which ready. Mother arrived and So you can see why the it!” had been made the night said, “Are you ready? It’s Christmas of 1937 was such Soon mother’s key was before from sliced bread time to go!” Outside, waiting a special one for me and heard in the lock and she and syrup. in the car, was Uncle Stanley. one that I shall always came into the house, fol- The hospital routine was I jumped in before anyone remember. lowed by the man in the strictly defined. The chil- had time to change their Margaret Hurst white coat, carrying the red dren had to lie flat for the minds! Like most people at Parbold Nr Wigan 37

THE BEGINNINGS OF CHRIST CHURCH, PENNINGTON 150 YEARS AGO

ON Christmas Eve in 1839 a Scot Green, Mr William C Jones is a bottle containing a piece of by the name of James Irvine (Treasurer), Rev A Hewlett, vicar of parchment, a copy of the Leigh became the incumbent of St Mary Astley, Mr Richard Marsh, Mr Chronicle, a florin, shilling and a the Virgin (Leigh Parish Church). Richard Guest, Mr Charles sixpence. The parchment was He had been approached by the Widdows and Mr Henry Jones headed, with the words ‘Gloria in local Whig patron, Lord Lilford, to (Secretary). Mr J S Turner Green, Excelsis Deo’. fill the vacant position left by the Barrister, of Hall Houses, moved After the ceremony and previous clergyman, Jonathan the resolution, which was carried: speeches, Lord Lilford with a large Topping, who had been found in “That it is desirable, expedient, party of clergymen retired to the rectory after having shot and necessary that a new Church Pennington Hall, the residence of himself. His appointment had been be built in the immediate James Pownall for ‘an elegant cold against the entreaties of the local neighbourhood of Leigh”. This collation’ where the usual toasts Evangelical curate Alfred Hewlett. resolution was passed and 1000 were drunk. Those lower down the Over a period of time Irvine’s guineas were subscribed at the social scale, such as the masons approach brought about strong meeting. and county constabulary, were differences in opinion amongst It is said that if the church had treated to a substantial churchgoers. He acted according to been built in the neighbourhood of entertainment provided by Mr his conscience and his Bradshawgate, as was at first Hampson of the George and interpretation of the rights and contemplated, a district would not Dragon, whilst the working men’s duties of the Church of England, have been assigned on account of committee and others had an which led to his refusing to baptise, its nearness to the Parish Church. excellent dinner at the Eagle and confirm, marry or bury irregular However, in May 1852, land was Child. churchgoers or those sympathetic purchased “between Fairfield and to non-conformist teachings. Gandy’s Row” in Pennington, and Funding Many felt that his approach was steps were taken for securing a After an initial meeting in 1852 too autocratic. They attempted to district for the new church. It was a sum of £1000 had been restrict his powers by signing a felt on the whole that owing to the subscribed with a further £1000 petition, which was presented, to rapidly expanding population of being collected by Alfred Hewlett Parliament in 1852. The Leigh Bradshaw Leach and Landside, this personally. From the neigh- Chronicle of April 1852 published would be the best position for it to bourhood of Pennington a working the following: “The deprivation of be sited. men’s committee had been formed. the Rights of the Parishioners In October of 1853 the trustees By organising the working classes, by the Clergymen of the of the benefice appointed Rev over 1500 subscriptions of 5s. had neighbourhood has been for some William Seaton of Birmingham as been obtained amongst their own time estranging the people from the first incumbent. class. Church of their fathers. Many have The remaining shortfall was hoped for a change, some have The Foundation Stone duly met, helped by the enticement joined other denominations, others The foundation stone for of a lithographed drawing of the have travelled a considerable Christchurch was laid by Lord church to anyone donating a distance to hear the gospel Lilford, on 19 May 1853. pound. preached. Many have become Unfortunately for the majority of careless and apathetic to all people the day was not observed as Consecration religious duties. The population a public holiday. However, those The consecration was has been growing and in ordinary who did witness the event were performed on Monday 12 June circumstances a new church would treated to a display of finery, as 1854 by Right Rev James Prince have been desirable and there was a parade of officials Lee, Lord Bishop of Manchester. necessary.” A meeting was called, involved with the project, who Amongst those present were the attended by mainly working men. walked to the church grounds from Venerable Archdeacon Rushton, Mr James Pownall of Pennington the old town hall, led by the Rev Hugh Stowell (hon. Canon), Hall, silk manufacturer, occupied Warrington Borough Band. Christ Church Salford; E Girdlestone, the chair. Other members of the The stone was laid beneath a vicar of Deane; A Hewlett, Astley; Committee were: Mr J S Turner buttress, and under this in a cavity Ô 38

and the Bishop’s chaplain. Non- Architectural Features The tower, which is about 80ft clergymen included Rev Hon Lord Architect: E H Shellard of high, and has four pinnacles, is Lilford (brother to the Bishop elect Manchester large enough to hold eight bells. of Sodor and Man); James Builder: Mark Froggatt of The pinnacles were blown down Pownall; Alfred Silvester; John Manchester after a violent storm on New Year’s Green of Newton; Richard Guest Masons: Ellis and Hinchcliffe Day of 1855. Two of these actually of Etherstone Hall; Robert Guest Material: Yorkshire Stone passed through the church roof. Esq; W R Marsh and others. Style: Perpendicular Gothic Repairs were soon carried out and During the ceremony the infant all four replaced and made more son of Rev William Seaton, named The building, which consists of secure. Ernest Prince-Pennington, was a nave and two side aisles, has a Tony Ashcroft christened by the Bishop of chancel at the east end, a tower at Local History Officer Manchester. the west end, and a on the After the ceremony, the Bishop south side. The west gallery WEDDING/MARRIAGE CUSTOMS of Manchester, together with Lord entered from the porch was AND FOLKLORE Lilford and about 70 clerical and originally erected for children’s This is the subject for a new talk I am lay friends, partook of a luncheon accommodation. preparing. If any reader has knowledge of at Pennington Hall. Measuring approx. 71ft in relevant unusual customs (local or In the same year that the length and 50ft in width, the national) I would like to hear from consecration took place the major chancel is 30ft long by 20ft wide. them. I would also be interested in national event was the beginning Initial estimates suggested that the looking at old wedding photographs. of the Crimean War, whilst at a structure would be able to hold 816 Tony Ashcroft local level Leigh Cricket Club was persons of which 450 were to be (Local History Officer) Leigh Library Tel 01942 404559 formed. appropriated and 366 free.

Back in touch Memories of Donald Anderson because, in late 1960, I left to I read with interest the article in had left Anderson Boyes that I join the Merchant Navy and, a recent Past Forward which started work back at sadly, I never kept in touch. I included a photograph of the Bickershaw Colliery, Leigh in would love to renew contact late Donald Anderson. charge of the fitters at No.3 pit. with him, to catch up with old While Donald was operating One Sunday morning a times and folks, and to find out the Dalton Lees Coal and gentleman came to my home what he actually did after Fireclay drift mine near Billinge along with his wife who I now Dear Alastair leaving Dalton. Could you sort in the early 1950’s a coal cutter realise was Donald and Mrs Thank you for publishing my out something so that we can was in use working the mid- Anderson to ask me if I would letter regarding Donald get in touch? mountain seam. The seam had consider overhauling a second Anderson and his mines in the Arthur Penny a fireclay floor which was hand Anderson Boyes 15 inch latest edition of Past Forward. reasonably soft and ‘mealy’ (i.e coal cutting machine he had Imagine my surprise when you Three Days Later broke up easily). The machine recently acquired. also published a letter from Dear Alastair being used was a 40 HP With the assistance of Frank Goodwill who actually Got a lovely reply from Anderson Boyes 12 inch with a another fitter called Brian, and started serving his time just as Frank to my email, and we are standard 4 foot 6 inches cutting providing Donald would I was finishing mine. What a meeting up for a drink very jib and chain, taking an eight purchase any replacement coincidence, because I think we soon. Thank you for putting us and a half inch ‘kerf’ (a slot cut spares or parts required along were, in fact, the only two in touch again after so many into the coal). This was the only with transport to and from the apprentices to be trained there! years. All the best to you all at machine they could utilise due mine, it was agreed. The I only overlapped with Frank Past Forward. to the low seam height. machine, including motor, was for a couple of months Arthur Penny I found the machine was completely stripped down, with underpowered but also suffered the necessary parts replaced, PLEA FROM THE EDITOR from a voltage drop. If any much to Donald Anderson’s reasonable speed was delight. He rewarded us with the I greatly value all contributions to Past Forward, attempted, the machine would handsome sum of £45 each. and if you don’t have access to a computer, don’t let stall and the jib and chain would This may not seem a lot of that put you off sending me your article - preferably get clogged up with damp soft money by today’s standards, but typed, but again, if you can only manage fireclay. The only reasonable the £45 I received bought my handwritten, that’s fine. suggestion I could make on first second-hand car, a 1936 Best by far are electronic contributions, ie by Email behalf of Anderson Boyes (who I Wolseley Wasp in which I ([email protected]), or on CD ROM or floppy disc worked for as an engineer) to eventually took my driving test together with hard copy printouts. And it would help remedy the situation was to in at Bolton, passing first time - the production team and myself even more if articles change the cutting jib and chain and all thanks to Donald were double line spaced with one inch (25mm) and remedy the voltage drop, all Anderson. margins and a word count included. Many thanks. of which as far as I know was Ken Pearce Ed. adopted. Harrogate It was quite a while after I N Yorks HG2 OBS 39

PARKSIDE CHOIR

£4 per year Dear Mr. Gillies J. Harold Smith’s letter about organ blowing struck a sympathetic chord, but when I saw his salary of £4 per year I was green with envy! I, too, did a bit of blowing in my teenage years at the Church of Christ, Rodney Street, Wigan, and subsequently served as organist for a good many years. I was rewarded Parkside Colliery Male Voice Choir, St. Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle, 1976 with the princely sum of NOTHING! Dear Editor the dissolution of Ashton This photograph of With regard to the I would like to comment Choir, with most of its Parkside Choir shows Mr postscript, the lovely, on the article by Alfred members going to Parkside Handel Jones in a white coat on the front row; I am fourth poignant, melody of Easthope Hughes on the Ashton Male Choir. Voice Choir (Past Forward no I was born in Bolton Road, from the right on the back Martin’s ‘Evensong’ was also 36.) My father Tudor Jones Ashton in Makerfield. I left row. one of my favourite was its first conductor. school at the age of 14, and On Saturday 24 April voluntaries, which I played on It was known originally as worked 31 years in the pits. I 1976, we were at the Albert many occasions. I cannot, the Ashton Victory Male Voice was a member of Ashton Male Hall for the ‘Burma Star however, offer any further Choir. When my father retired Voice Choir, and also a soloist. Reunion’ and on the following information about the as conductor, Mr Handel For many years I also Sunday on the steps of St composer, except that I Jones was invited to be its performed in clubs as a ballad Georges Chapel, Windsor always understood that he conductor. When Parkside singer, I was also a member of Castle, where we sang at was a church minister. Colliery choir began later, Mr St. Helens Operatic Society, morning service. Clifford Miller Handel Jones was invited to and afterwards of Earlstown Trevor Jones Wigan be its conductor; this led to Operatic Society. Ashton in Makerfield

IT WAS 1952 when we moved Old Annie and her wonderful into a new semi in Billinge. BRIGADOON SITUATION dialect. Gone is Wild Jackie, There was about 60 houses and unadulterated ‘Old Labour in Vain, the George the man who, when bitten by so 60 new families. Little did Lancashire’. There were and Dragon, the Oddfellows a dog, grabbed it, bit it back, the locals know that we were wonderful words, far more Arms, the Forresters Arms, and then threw it over the a sign of things to come, as descriptive than the and the Eagle and Child hedge back into its garden. farmers gleefully sold land to equivalent in English, like otherwise known as the ‘Bird Where is the man who threw builders. frichened, fawe, nesh, sken, and Babby’. As you can his hated mother-in-law’s dog It felt like a Brigadoon thrutch, mavis, shelpy, guess, no one went thirsty in out into the hen pen? Who situation at that time. Seven baggin, and cutch - all were Billinge! remembers Jonny Rimmer, or eight family names, for exclusive to Billinge, and At that time, there was the aspiring Olympic example, kept recurring in the made us feel that this was a a united village feeling. contender? And did you know church records over 300 foreign language. Everyone was proud to touch that the giant trees on Main years. The local doctors were It was easy to see what cap to the squire of Billinge. Street were planted to all from one family - fathers, the locals did for relaxation. She was sometimes refered to celebrate the relief of brothers and sons. People for There was the Labour Club at as Joyce Banks, never as Mrs Mafeking in the Boer War? years worked locally on farms the bottom of the hill and the Banks. She indeed was the Gone is the common or in the pits. Seven Conservative Club at the top squire, not her husband. heritage of the old Billinge surrounding towns had never and half way up was the Never did the centuries folk. encroached, until then. British Legion. There were overlap as they did in the Elsie Wilson The dialect was unique also the Brown Cow, the village in the 50’s. Gone is Radyr 40

THE TEAM OF 1942/43 Dear Sir, recreation ground where we played all our I read with interest the article submitted home matches. by Frank Cunliffe about the village of After the match we would walk back to the Garswood in issue 36 - and particulary the Sunday School to get dressed but with no item about St Andrews Sunday School football luxury of a hot bath - all 22 players and the team, looked after by Billy Ralphson. referee would share one hand basin and one I too was a member of that very successful toilet before going home! Years rolled away junior team which played in the St Helens I enclose a photograph of the 1942/43 Dear Mr Gillies Sunday School league. Our changing room team with the league cup and the junior cup. Years rolled away when I was in the Sunday School, then we had a 10 Joe Littler turned to Issue 36, p41; the minute walk along Garswood Road to the Haydock St Helens photograph of Miss Anderson recalled a vivid memory of my early days at St. Thomas’s Clayton St School, when she took me on her knee to console my crying because I couldn’t get my sums right. The year would be c.1937 My wife Kate (nee Jackson) was in the same class as me, having started school at the same time; we can recall many incidents from those times, i.e. miss Simm who seemed to us to be seven feet tall, Miss Bolton who used to warm our free bottles of milk at the classroom fire and instruct us to get our blankets to lay on the floor for ‘quiet time’. Each of our blankets had an individual logo - mine was a pocket watch while Garswood St. Andrews, 1942-43 my wife’s was Humpty Dumpty. Back Row: Joe Littler, Jim Cunliffe, Ron Birkett, Bob Kay, Frank Cunliffe, Jack Hodson, Jack Melling Happy days when children knew and Ken Nuttall exactly where they stood. Front Row: Billy Raplhson, Jack Cunliffe, George Barton, Ken Kay, Bob Cunliffe, Les Cunliffe and Billy One outing which we recall Woods was when we were taken to welcome the King and Queen shelters in a very orderly on their visit to Wigan on 20 manner until an imaginary “all Does anyone know May 1938; we were placed clear” was sounded and we under the old market verandah were returned to the class Cpl. Andrew Farrimond? (it was the fruit market at room. Teachers whom we can weekends) facing out towards recall were: Headmaster Mr Dear Sir, onto the enemy area and Market Street. There was a Jackson, Mrs Tickle, Mrs I’m doing historical landed a few miles from newspaper photograph taken of Hodson, Miss Winstanley, Mrs researches about some my town, Cuneo. Together all the class waving our flags; I Long and our favourite, the events of World War II with Italian partisans he recall my Dad lifting me up to gentle ginger haired Mrs Telford which happened in the fought bravely against look at it in Leaches newsagents (nee Martindale). Maritime Alps area Nazis and Fascists, window on the town centre side My wife and I have recently (NorthWest Italy). I know sending useful information of Wallgate bridge (I have made ceebrated our Golden wedding that a fellow citizen was by radio to the allies. I met exhaustive searches for a copy anniversary 68 years after involved in one of these some ancient partisans of of the photograph but so far starting school together at events. On 7 August 1944 my town who still without success - can any one Clayton Street. Corporal Radio Operator remember him with out there please help to locate We look forward to receiving Andrew E. Farrimond, an affection. That’s why I’m one?) our regular copy of your exellent agent of “Special looking for Mr. Andrew In 1940 we moved to St Past Forward magazine, and Operations Executive” Farrimond. Thomas’s, Caroline Street,and wish you every success for the (SOE) was parachuted remember the air raid and gas future. Sergio Costagli mask practices. We would be Ralph Hilton with three other agents email: [email protected] marched down to the air raid Southport 41

Ince, one of the lads was Harry Jones; he was always proud to Other side of Billinge Hill tell us about his granddad who Dear Sir, I should add I do have some won the World Title at Re ‘Teenage War Years in Wigan credentials, as from the Springfield Park many years Orrell’, by Frank Winnard (Issue late 40’s to the early 60’s I ago. He fought someone by no. 33 p41), he recalled an worked for the St Helens food the name of Yoko Tani sounds incident of an unexploded bomb wholesalers G. W. Collins (no Japanese, but whether it was landing in a field near to ‘The relation), and delivered goods to or not I am not quite sure. Burgie’. most of the corner shops Harry’s granddad used the As you will see from my around Wigan. They have all Some of the name Burgie Ben in the ring. address I must confess to being gone now, I suppose. I also They lived in Bird Street, an interloper from the other side recall delivering to Roy Café and of Billinge Hill, but it was his use Gorners in the Market area, the best Higher Ince; as a special treat of the word ‘Burgie’ that caught Trencherfield Restaurant close Dear Sir, Harry used to take us into the my attention. Here in the saintly by the Mill, the village shop at As always thank you for my front room of the house, where borough the word ‘Burgie’ is Crooke, and Jack Hilton’s article in the last issue of Past the belt his granddad had won used to describe the several mother at Pemberton. She was Forward. One subject that I was on display for all to see. I areas covered by the waste sand so proud of a photo of Jack can’t recall ever being often wonder what became of beds used at the Pilkington being presented to the King at mentioned is the local interest the belt - perhaps one of your glass works to polish the plate Wembley. of wrestling*; Wigan has readers can provide some glass before the introduction of Then, as now, Rugby produced some of the best. information is it still in the float glass, in the early 60’s. I League was always a good topic Riley’s used to have a gym family, as I think he won it out had always thought the term of conversation, but I must for local lads to learn the skills right? ‘Burgies’ was unique to this part admit you certainly have a there were the Belshaws and A E Smith of the world, so I would be most winner with Past Forward. many more. When we were Winstanley Wigan interested to know what the Henry Collins growing up as lads in Higher *See issue 16, p3 Ed. Orrell ‘Burgies’ contained. St Helens Lancs The Furey Brothers Dear Sir Re the photograph sent in Here are the names of by Edmund Waddelove, those who attended this believed to be at St. Joseph’s school c. 1900: RC school, Leigh, which Patrick (Paddy) b. 1890: appeared in the last Past Annie b. 1892: James b. Forward p43, it is possible 1894: Roger b. 1896: Martin that members of my family, b. 1898: Elizabeth b. 1900: FUREY, may be included, as Edward b. 1902: Margaret b follows: centre row (3rd from 1904: John b 1906: Michael right) Tommy or Paddy Furey, b. 1907 (my father). (right) Martin Furey. I feel Thank you for a wonderful St. Joseph’s Leigh c.1920 there is a strong resemblance magazine. Seated middle row, Jimmy Furey? (next to priest?) to some of the adults on the Mrs M Aldred enclosed photos. Southport

‘Flanagan’s Band’ Ten Loonies Back row: 2nd left Paddy Furey? 4th left Martin Furey? Back row: 2nd left Arthur Jones? 4th left Paddy or Thomas Furey? Front row: 1st left Thomas Furey? 5th left Martin Furey? 42

It was a place where the tipped and the water gushed ordinary working man could out sloshed the effluent away BUS IN THE get away from the wife and into the main sewer. WATER kids for a quiet period of The problem came when contemplation and the sides of something went wrong with it. Dear Sir, the board were handy for It was no use sending for the In a letter published in putting things on like your pipe plumber, you had to dig down Past Forward 36, Rev Eric and tobacco tin. six feet to put it right and this Ogden enquired about an It also had an educational was done by an Irishman. He incident of a bus in the water. The Petty value in the form of a Daily turned up in the morning and I am told this took place TODAY we call it the lavatory, Herald cut into six inch great clods of clay would fly at Nook colliery baths, which the toilet and the loo. When I squares, threaded on a string out of the hole until about were separate from the pit. was a lad it was known as the and hung onto the wall in front midday when there would be a The bus route was down Petty. A solid brick built of you. It was a substitute for a knock on the back door and he Prince’s Avenue and Astley building with a flagged roof toilet roll and provided would be standing there to ask Street in Tyldesley along that stood at the end of the information on subjects like if you could let him have a Manchester Road and up yard; it was a chilly traipse on stock market prices and couple of bob advance for his North Lane. church commissioners’ reports. a winter’s day with the wind dinner. So you gave him the An old street map shows gusting under the gap in the It was simple in its design money and he set off to the a mine south of Gin Pit door and whistling round your and operation. The excrement nearest pub and that’s the last village which seems to be bare legs. when released dropped into a you saw of him until the next correct for North Lane. It Unlike the modern toilet pit six foot deep and was morning. which has a pedestal, the cleared away by waste water The modern toilet is a also shows one near Gin Pit Petty had a board that ran from the kitchen sink, known convenience, the Petty was an village presumably Gin Pit from wall to wall with a hole in not as the sink but the experience and I would be itself. the middle over which you sat. slopstone. interested to know if anyone St Georges pit is not on Some of these had two holes The water travelled along a has any theories as to how the the map but is reached from in the board and were known drain under the yard and name Petty came about. Meanley Road. The three as companion privies which emptied into an oddly shaped JG Smith pits, St Georges, Gin Pit and caused my father to comment container at the bottom of the Astley Nr. Manchester Nook were in a straight line. that you could get some very pit. This was shaped in such a email: B Greenhalgh interesting conversations. way that when it was full it [email protected] Tyldesley Manchester

greyhound track at Poolstock Good old days of Wigan (in my younger days) and, where I was born, I FIRST started school at St left to be a bus conductress from them was the Bus Depot Worsley Hall Boys Club, Cuthbert’s, Ellesmere Road, under Mr. James McNight. for the Corporation, and on which had a few local Rugby Pemberton, when t he Head- One day when Gene Pitney the opposite side to Wigan League players: Tommy mistress was Mrs. Horrocks, was on at The Ritz in Station Pier was the Ribble Depot. Dickens, Johnny Stopford, Music Teacher, Mrs. Riley and Road I left the bus at 4 p.m. Down the road was Seven Martin Dickens, Bernard one of the others was Mrs. with a load of people on, Stars Bridge, which was a McMahon, Johnny Speed and Hurst. When Mrs. Horrocks including school children, to lovely walk down to Frog Lane Bill Bretherton, to name but a left to go to St. Thomas More go and watch him and stayed and Springfield Park, few. as the Library Teacher, Mr. right through till the end! formerly the home of Wigan Winifred Kelly (nee Tocker) Brendan Murphy took over as I’m a staunch Wigan Athletic. There used to be a Blackpool Headmaster at St. Cuthbert’s. Rugby League supporter and I then left St. Cuthbert’s to I was really upset when they Published by Wigan Heritage Service, Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust, go to St. Thomas More. I was closed Central Park (55 years Market Suite, The Galleries, Wigan WN1 1PX one of the first pupils to go I had watched them). I The views expressed in this issue are not necessarily supported by right through the school. On remember one particular Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust. Nothing printed may be construed as opening day there were three match between Wigan and policy or an official announcement unless so stated. trees planted - ”Chelsea, in the , Neither Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust, nor the Editor, accept liability Tower, and Lambert”. The when the referee was Len for any matter in this publication. Headmistress was Sister Rose; Ganley and it was throwing it other teachers were Sister down with rain; I ran on the Contributions are welcome but no responsibility can be taken for loss Julie, Sister Frances and Miss pitch and hit him with my or damage to contributors’ material. Clough who came from St. umbrella because of a wrong Mary’s. decision! When I left school I worked I remember three cotton at Coop’s sewing place near mills near one another, Santas’ (Uncle Joe’s Mintballs) Trencherfield, Eckersley Mill © Wigan Leisure & Culture Trust, July 2004. and The Grand Hotel, then I and Taylors. Down the road 43

, s y y y ewer ewer all, but omenade, y Modern Speakmans esponded. If esponse to the fe & e after Almonds Br V s estleigh Secondar ecently demolished own Hall (01942 404432). W T e was an excellent r esumably taken by a local person while building, r bottom right: Central Pr Douglas, Isle of Man, early 20th centur (so not a local pictur pr on holiday). Thanks to all of you who r you can identify any of this issue’ photographs, please contact Len Hudson in Leigh brass shop, in the old Leigh Br photographs in the last issue, and all four have now been positively identified, as follows: top left: school, 1940’ bottom left: J Standish, c.1935 top right: the old Sutclif Ther e? Wher Who?

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