FORWARDFFORWARDORWARD ISSUE No. 26 AUTUMN/WINTER 2000

The Newsletter of Wigan Heritage Service FREE From the Editor One downside of Past Forward - and judging by all your comments probably the only one! - is that it brings home to me, and indeed to all those involved in its production, just how quickly the year flies. I seem to have only just put one issue to bed, before it’s time to start preparation for the next one. To those of you who have asked me if it would be possible to have four issues per year instead of three - believe me, there just would not be enough days in the year ..... not to mention funding. The most newsworthy event during recent weeks has been the opening of the Year 2000 exhibition in the History Shop. As I write, the exhibition has now been open for a week, and has already attracted much praise and appreciation. Full details appear on pp 16,17; but I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Philip and Dawn, and all Heritage Service staff who have been involved on making the exhibition such a success - despite having to work under the difficult circumstances brought about by staff vacancies. My thanks also to all those in the private sector who have contributed to the exhibition. The Mapping the Millennium Festival has continued its tour of the Borough, and has been well received. The majority of the 28 panels have now been displayed in their locality. Some more maps, which have not appeared so far in Past ‘Something for Forward, can be seen on the back cover of this issue. The Millennium Tree, a play specially commissioned for the Millennium, is also nearing the end of its run as I write, with the final Your Stocking performance imminent, as part of the Ashton festival. Thanks to all those involved for a splendid production. The audio-visual presentation, This Is A Madam?’ Borough, continues to attract a lot of comments and praise - and enquiries as to how to get hold Whether it's a ‘bit of fun' or ‘something unusual' you're looking for we're of a copy. Unfortunately, it is not available for sale, at least for the present - see p14. bound to have something to ‘tickle your fancy' at the History Shop this On a sadder note, we are losing another Christmas. member of staff! After years of priding ourselves We're brimming full of stocking fillers for the kids, including toys you'll on its extremely low turnover of staff, the know and love and new ones you'll grow to. There are chunky wooden Heritage Service has lost three in just over a jigsaws in lovely bright colours, from dinosaurs and alligators to Christmas year, either through retirement or moving to trees and a nativity scene. another job, and we are now about to lose a Our jewellery selection caters for young and old with both modern and fourth! Joanne Revill, our Archivist, is on the ‘antique' designs in silver. New ranges also include children's jewel boxes move. During her short tenure, though, Joanne with matching necklace and earrings and lustrous enamel boxes for the more has made great strides in developing the service, sophisticated. These are in various designs, including a cabbage and and we will certainly be sorry to see her go (her farewell News from the Archives appears on p7). caterpillar. Don't believe us? Then come down and see for yourself! On a happier note, I am delighted with this At the more expensive end of the scale we have a variety of gift ideas, issue of Past Forward. It has an excellent mix of including Victorian cherub paperweights. If you like candle holders you'll articles, some serious and informative, some find none better than the selection we have in finest pewter of Celtic and nostalgic and even poignant (Fred Holcroft, for Rennie McKintosh design. example, has written a splendid piece As usual we have a large selection of quality Christmas cards, local heritage commemorating the 75th anniversary of Wigan’s related items and publications and coal figures. To coin a phrase (and we Cenotaph), but others in a much more light- have plenty of those as well - coins, not phrases!) there's ‘something for hearted vein, with a delightful sense of humour. everyone'. Many of the ‘old faithfuls’ are here again, but I’m delighted to welcome some new contributors to the fold. Finally, may I take this opportunity to Covers: Front - Mystery Object - Exhibitions Officer Dawn Wadsworth thank all Past Forward readers for their poses the question in the History Shop’s new exhibition. Back - Two of the continued support, in whatever form, and to wish Parish Maps on display towards the end of the Mapping the Millennium all of you a very happy Christmas and a Festival: Ince-in-Makerfield (top) and North Swinley (bottom). prosperous 2001. And don’t forget the History Shop for that special Christmas gift - the All comments and correspondence should be addressed to: selection this year is better than ever! Editor, ‘Past Forward’, Wigan Heritage Service, Market Suite, The Galleries, Wigan WN1 1PX

2 A Constant Pledge An Obligation Fulfilled Wigan Cenotaph and War Memorial to the Fallen of the Great War 1914-18

THE Cenotaph to almost 2000 men - and one The Mayor, who had lost a commanded their division, 42nd son in the war, opened the Division. The actual unveiling woman - from the former County Borough of ceremony with a short speech: was by General Lawrence who Wigan who fell in the Great War, 1914-18 was “We are come to honour our had been brigadier of the 1/5 brethren who gave their lives for Manchesters in Gallipoli and had unveiled 75 years ago on Saturday 17 October us and for this country in a just commanded the 66th Division 1925. cause. This memorial is the including the 2/5 Manchesters. witness of our love for their He spoke briefly: The memorial which was 1924, with time rapidly passing, memory; and the constant “I believe that if those whose unveiled that day was the the War Memorial Committee pledge and reminder to us of names are on this monument culmination of six years’ effort finally chose an acceptable site - their valour and our duty.” could convey a message to us and hard work. As early as immediately in front of All Saints Mr. J.M. Ainscough, the today it would be to say: September 1919 Wigan Town Parish Church, in the very centre main driving force behind the ‘Be of good cheer Council had debated the of the town - and the Rector and project, then added: The night is passing possibility of erecting a Parish Council promptly donated “We are assembled this The dawn is at hand memorial to the fallen, and in the land. afternoon to fulfil an obligation Only have faith in November 1919 a War Memorial which has been far too long yourselves Committee was established, Unveiled delayed; an obligation to place Have faith in your country.’ chaired by Alderman Ainscough. in some conspicuous position a And perhaps what is better still, This committee met at irregular Events now moved rapidly permanent tangible memorial to when your time comes and you intervals to co-ordinate and by February 1925 the full those of our townsmen who gave pass to another life you will meet arrangements. In September Town Council accepted the their lives in the great struggle of these old comrades that have 1920 the possibility of replacing design by their chosen architect 1914-18 that we might have gone before you and you will be the temporary shrine to the Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, who had peace and security. After a long able to say: fallen, which had been built Liverpool’s Anglican and anxious deliberation it was ‘We carried on the fight. spontaneously built in Mesnes Cathedral. By May the sculptor decided to place the memorial on We never gave in.’ Park, with a permanent Edward Owen Griffiths was able this site in the very centre and I unveil this memorial placed here memorial was put forward to the to commence work levelling the heart of our town, a crowned in the memory of the men of Borough Engineer, who site and creating what is now All cross the symbol of sacrifice and Wigan who fell in the Great War.” estimated the cost at £1500. In Saints Gardens; construction victory. On these stones we have After the Doxology and April 1921 the committee advanced so rapidly that it was carved the names not of those National Anthem the church recommended that the fountain finished in time to be unveiled in who distinguished themselves in bells pealed and there was in Mesnes Park should be October 1925, allowing a the fight; nor that great number wreath-laying, first by officials removed and replaced by the Remembrance Day Service the who, thank God, returned and relatives of the fallen then by new war memorial; the following month. The final cost unscathed many of whom are the general public. As he laid his Council’s Property, Parks and was £4,000, paid for entirely by with us today, but the names of personal wreath the late Private Markets Committee, however, public subscription. our fellow townsmen who went Thomas Woodcock’s little son disapproved of the choice of site. Shortly after noon on out in the vigour of strength and wore his father’s Victoria Cross. Discussions in committee Saturday 17 October 1925 both youth never to return. I trust then concerning a suitable location Wallgate and Market Place were that in the future our people will continued and several locations thronged with a huge crowd and approach this spot with even Poignant Reading were reviewed: traffic was halted all afternoon. greater reverence than in the * various other sites within The weather during the morning past and that this memorial may How were the names Mesnes Park. had been showery but the rain never be defiled by any collected? Already in July 1919 the Borough Library had written * outside the Post Office in ceased shortly after 3 o’clock. sacrilegious hands.” Wallgate. The small square immediately to the local newspapers to ask *at the junction of Wigan around the Cenotaph was families and next-of-kin of the Lane and Swinley Road. restricted to ticket holders, and Military Dignitaries fallen to submit individual * on the Market Square. owing to the shortage of space it names and had circularised local *in the Market Place. was only possible to Among the military churches and firms with a *in the grounds of the Royal accommodate one relative for dignitaries present was Colonel request for them to send in lists Infirmary. each of the deceased whose Sir Henry Darlington, of their congregations or Fundraising also continued names were engraved on the Commanding Officer of the 1/5 employees killed in action. Their and in November 1923 a street tablets, although a special Manchesters, Wigan’s territorial replies exist in the Borough collection raised over £2000 - a enclosure was set aside for the battalion, and Major General tremendous sum in those days. In orphan children. Solly-Flood who had Continued on page 4 3 A Constant Pledge An Obligation Fulfilled Wigan Cenotaph and War Memorial to the Fallen of the Great War 1914-18 ––––– Continued from page 3

Archives and make poignant reading. Sadly this polite but low-key method of assembling the names was doomed to be less than comprehensive and there are hundreds of missing names. To be fair the response must have been erratic. Many families would not have seen the request for names, some families had died out or had left the district, while a few families obstinately refused to accept that their loved Recently retired Local History Officer Bob Blakeman interpreting the War Memorial to a class of ones were dead, and declined to co-operate. Many of the fallen, local schoolchildren. particularly the Irish, had relatives who lived farther afield. names of whom all but one were March 1918 before advancing to operative Movement. Many of the missing names are of military. The great majority were victory in the autumn of that At least 48 families lost two men who had fallen early in the in the army: same year. When HMS Good sons in the war. There may be war, or who had no known grave, Army 1,857 Hope was sunk at the Battle of more. Three families in Wigan or who had not belonged to local Navy 20 Coronel in 1914, Arthur lost three sons - the Longshaw regiments, or who had fought in R.M. 9 Worthington from Newtown and family from Whelley and distant campaigns. Surprisingly R.F.C. 6 Thomas Roberts from Scholes, Scholes, the Mulraney family many who had not died abroad other 1 two reservists on board for their from Scholes and the Malone but had died of wounds at home Wigan was an over- annual fortnight’s refresher family from Wallgate. Missing and been buried in local whelmingly working-class town training when it hurriedly put to from the Cenotaph, as they lived cemeteries are also missing from (the census of 1911 shows that sea at the outbreak of war, also outside the old County Borough the Cenotaph. Another similarly out of 33,355 males over 10 went down. When HMS boundary, are the four James excluded category is of those who years old - minimum working Indefatigable and HMS Queen brothers killed on active service, died in the years following 1918 age at that time - 29,043 men had Mary blew up during the Battle of the sons of Rev. C.H. James, from injuries caused by the a job) so that most men served as Jutland two more Wiganers were Vicar of St. David’s, Haigh. Four hostilities - particularly from gas. private soldiers or non- lost, Able-Seaman John Bennett families lost the father and one The full list of such cases may commissioned officers; only 57 from Ashton’s Yard and stoker son - Thomas Roden, father and never be known. commissioned officers are listed. Francis Blundell from Poolstock. son, from Caroline Street, who Wiganers died in every theatre of When Earl Kitchener, Minister of both worked at Wigan Rolling the war: War, was lost at sea travelling to Mills; John Lowe and his son Many mistakes Western Front 1,579 Russia when HMS Hampshire hit Nathan; John Culkin (49) and his Gallipoli 210 a mine off Orkney, so too was son James (19) of 21 Shaw Sadly too, the Cenotaph Mesopotamia 48 stoker William Wood of Harman Street, Pemberton and John entries contain many mistakes. Salonika 22 Street, Wigan. Thomas Morris and his son The process by which the names Egypt 18 Stephen. The elder Morris aged were collected was quite faulty Germany (P.O.W.) 7 50 was a former soldier who had and made some rather glaring Russia 2 Casualities fought in Egypt in 1882 and errors. Some names were sent in Africa 1 South Africa in 1900 and more than once by different at sea 6 Casualties occurred across although a time-expired reservist family members, usually by the Wiganers served in almost the political spectrum: Thomas had volunteered as soon as war widow and by the parents, so every regiment in the British Cartmel Walker and Basil broke out. causing needless repetition. One Army - 84 battalions and Scarisbrick Walker whose father The only woman on the man is even named three times. batteries plus the Anzacs, owned the Pagefield Ironworks; Cenotaph is Jane Johnston, a Some names were spelt wrongly, Canadians, Royal Marines and Andrew Brown Tickle, only son stewardess on the Canadian so causing further duplication. Royal Flying Corps. Wiganers of James Tickle, owner of the Pacific freighter S.S. Often the details accompanying were present and died at every Vulcan Iron Foundry, Newtown; Missanabie, on a voyage from the name were either erroneous phase of the war: on the retreat Arthur Walsh whose father was Liverpool to New York when it or incomplete, usually with from Mons in 1914, wading Labour M.P. for Ince; Joseph was torpedoed and sunk on 9 regard to the unit in which he ashore at Gallipoli in 1915, Hargreaves whose father was the September 1918 by a German served. One man is named on the going over the top at the Somme president of the Cardroom and submarine off the south coast of Cenotaph although he was not in 1916, struggling through the Ringspinners’ Trade Union; Ireland, with the loss of 45 lives dead! mud to Passchendaele in 1917, Alfred Jackson whose father was The Cenotaph holds 1,893 facing Germany’s final attack in the head of the Wigan Co- ➯ 4 including Mrs. Johnston aged 39. Some talented and promising careers were cut short by the war, Pit Brow Girls’ Protest including Edward Arthur Simm, described by the Wigan Ince MP, Mr. R.N. Neville, After lunch, the girls put Observer as: THE 1911 Coal Mines Wigan’s MP, Mr. J. Knowles, on their pit brow clothes in “A promising young artist, Act, the most important having several sketches accepted piece of mining legislation JP, Dr. Cooke of Aspull and readiness to proceed to the by the periodical Bystander and of the 20th century, caused Haigh, Dr. Angrion, a Wigan House of Commons. surgeon and the Vicar of Marching through Whitehall many reproduced in this consternation, while being newspaper.” Abram, Rev. Twemlow. their progress created an framed, among the pit undoubted sensation among brow girls, because of an Deputation the London people, their Shot down in combat amendment. This, unique attire of shawls, aprons proposed by Sir Arthur (all freshly laundered) and John Yates Taylor, an old boy Markham, MP., a wealthy It was decided that a “wooden boots” i.e. clogs, of Wigan Grammar School, was deputation be sent to the coal owner, excluded all being something to which the one of very few Wiganers in the Home Secretary, made up of Metropolis was altogether R.F.C. and was only 20 when he women from colliery work 43 pit brow girls from the unaccustomed. On reaching was shot down in combat with except those needed for collieries of Abram, Coppull, the House, the deputation was two enemy planes on 6 July cleaning purposes. Haydock, Hindley, Ince, shown to the room where the 1917. His last letter home There was an immediate Pemberton, West Leigh and Coal Mines Committee was described an incident only three protest from Wigan for many West Houghton. To avoid the sitting and where Mr. days earlier: of the women at work on the suggestion that financial help Masterton was waiting to “Suddenly we heard ‘pop pop’ pit brow had lost their was received from the colliery receive them. Mr. Winston and behind us we saw three husbands in mining accidents owners who had an interest, it Churchill, the Home enemy machines above our tail. and had children to support. was agreed that each would be Secretary, in passage from one They dived on us in turn firing For others, because of health responsible for their own engagement to another, looked their machine guns. My observer reasons, the alternative of mill expenses. On Thursday 8 in for a few moments and then fired 100 rounds into them and work was unsuitable. An August, 1911, the deputation departed, leaving his deputy to they cleared off. We had tons of appeal was made by the left Wigan at 10.20 am and hear the deputation’s case. bullet holes in our plane, one tyre women to the town’s arrived at Euston at 2 pm, burst, the main spar was shot representatives who were told from where it was conveyed Fit and proper through and half the elevator that great hardship would by brakes to the Buckingham cables were shot away. With luck result if this form of Hotel, the White House and occupation we just managed to land.” employment were taken from the Morris and Browns Hotel, A few days later his luck ran them. Support was given at all in the Strand. Mrs. Wood, Mr. Masterton told the out. once by Wigan’s mayor and the Lady Mayoress, women he wished they had Lewis Bradley was the only mayoress, Mr. Sam Wood and accompanied the women as fatality among the 21 playing his wife, Stephen Walsh, the chaperone. Continued on page 6 members of Wigan Northern Union Rugby Club who enlisted, although C. Molloy was permanently blinded. A native of Gloucester, he was playing for Pontypool when he signed for Wigan in 1911. His obituary in a local sports paper included this assessment of his talent: “Quick off the mark he was often past his opposing threequarter before the latter realised Bradley had the ball. Shall we ever forget this speedy wing threequarter at Central Park? He was the idol of the crowd and it only seems like yesterday that he was dashing down the touchline, his long flowing hair blowing in the wind, those long raking strides, and that final natural swerve.” These are just a miniscule fraction of the numbers involved. There is a story behind every name. Fred Holcroft

● A photograph of the opening ceremony appeared in Past The pit brow girls of Long Lane Colliery (aka Crowpit), Bryn Road, Ashton-in-Makerfield. Forward 21, p21. Ed. The pit closed Easter 1955. 5 Sir Arthur concluded, “There womens’ case, saying it was working, having been on the is a growing disposition not a party matter but one on pit brow for well over half a Pit Brow despite the protest being made which all sections were century. The vicar of Abram to this Committee to follow agreed. Mr. Neville (MP for testified as to the moral Girls’ those who have voluntarily Wigan), corroborated Mr. character of the women. abandoned the work for the Walsh’s evidence and added Mr. Masterton was greeted Protest more natural occupations for that all the women were with cheers when he said that women.” perfectly healthy and anyone he had toured the Wigan ––––– who studied the classics collieries in November last Continued from page 5 “Junoesque figures” would know what he meant and had come to the same when he said they had conclusion as those who gave come earlier for the Stephen Walsh (MP, Ince), Junoesque figures [laughter]. evidence previously. He amendment had been fully who had introduced the The Mayor of Wigan, regretted that the deputation discussed the day before and deputation, said he had had 30 Alderman Sam Wood, said, “I had arrived late to see him for carried by the Committee. The years experience of the work have lived in Wigan all my life the amendment had been only question as he saw it was of the pit brow girls of whom and have been associated with carried in Committee. whether colliery work was a his wife had been one. The old colliery workers for the last 25 However, he promised that the fit and proper occupation for screens had been replaced by years.....As recently as last Government would do its best women. Sir Arthur Markham new ones and consequently Monday I made a surprise to see the amendment defeated on behalf of the amendment the work was much cleaner. tour of the collieries and saw when the Bill came before the said that the conditions of The old conditions were between 400 - 500 girls at House. The deputation then mining differed entirely from disappearing and belts were work. Only three were retired to be shown over the the conditions of any other now being used that handling tubs and gravitation House by Mr. Stephen Walsh, industry. He maintained that eliminated dust and most were was the motivating force for then treated to tea on the “women are engaged in enclosed against the inclement the road sloped gently to the terraces by Mr. Neville and tippler. That the work is not loading wagons, moving weather. The women lived in a Mr. Harmer Bannerman. heavy is proved by the fact that heavy tubs on the pit bank and district in which it was not girls of 16 can do the work working in an atmosphere of easy to find other occupations. Sightseeing in satisfactorily. No woman now dust which makes them filthy. In the Wigan district there was handled wagons and pieces of London In some cases, women are a population of 7,000 per coal on a belt weighing more working among machinery square mile, the most dense than 30 lbs.” The next day, Friday 9 which is an added danger. The population in the world. The Dr. Angrion, a physician in August, the women left Euston lifting of coal, in many cases girls had chosen their Wigan for 25 years, said that after a morning sightseeing in very heavy pieces, sometimes occupation, wished to in all that time he had never London and arrived back in causes internal trouble which continue in it and, not having Wigan at 9.20 pm. They were had to deal with a case of is a serious danger to health. the vote, had a right to be greeted at the Wallgate station hernia among the women. He In some pit districts, such as consulted by the Committee by an enthusiastic large crowd told the Committee he had Durham and Northumberland, and their views given fullest and as the party made its way gone further and consulted the women have long since consideration. He urged Mr. along the platform towards the matron of Wigan Infirmary, vanished from the pit brow.” Masterton to listen to the entrance they showed Mrs. Macaulay. “She told me themselves to be in rare that in her 21 years there she humour, as they sang, “We’re could not remember a single the Lasses fra’ Lancashire” and case of this nature being other songs. Cheers were treated at the hospital or as an raised for the Mayor and From all at out-patient. The women like Mayoress with the crowd the work and view the prospect singing “For he’s a Jolly Good of being prevented from doing Fellow” and “She’s a Jolly Wigan Heritage Service it with great alarm.” Good Lady”. When silence was obtained the Mayor Very healthy requested the pit brow girls to sing the National Anthem in to all readers of Dr. Cooke, another Wigan which the crowd joined doctor, said that the girls were heartily and Auld Lang Syne. very healthy compared with Later in the month Mr. Wood was called from a other classes of workers. He Past Forward meeting to receive an urgent said the young women had telegram from the House of been forced by ill-health to Commons. It said briefly, leave the mill, and lately the “Amendment defeated. a Happy Christmas and manager of Strangeways Regards, Neville and Walsh”. Colliery at Hindley had told It was half a century later him that 30 of the 90 women when technology in the form a Prosperous New Year employed there had come of washeries banished the there on doctor’s orders. At women from the pit brow for one of the Coppull pits a 71 ever. year old woman was still James Fairhurst 6 NewsNews FromFrom thethe ArchivesArchives WELL, it is all change again here in The Public Record Office’s web site EA 4048 Photographs of Church the Archive. Whilst this is only my has current information and an email Walking Days (Leigh area) third article, it is in fact my last. To address for comments and questions, plus A collection of 27 photographs was mailing lists for people wanting to be kept found among the possession of a Leigh regular readers of Past Forward it up-to-date with progress. The web site is lady who recently died. The photographs probably seems that I have only just certainly worth visiting if you are are mainly of church walking days in the arrived although it is in fact only a interested in the past. 1930’s. week off one year. I am off to the Liverpool University Archive to Recent Accessions CB Wi A2/47 Minute Books of the work on a specific cataloguing Wigan Youth Service project using specially designed A collection of administrative minute DDZ C/1 Wigan Rugby League Club books relating to youth clubs in the local archival software (Encoded Programmes area that closed down in the mid 1990’s. Archival Description). A lot has For all you fans of Wigan Rugby Areas covered include Tyldesley, Leigh been achieved in the year that I have League club you may be interested in a First Lane, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Ince been here and seeing the progress collection we received in August. A local and Platt Bridge Tramlines to name but a that has been achieved, it does make resident in the borough deposited a small, few. There are access restrictions in place but delightful, collection of family me sad to leave. on some of the documents at the request memorabilia. This collection also included of the department. A limited service will be available on a larger collection of Wigan Rugby League Tuesdays and Thursdays, until a new club Programmes. The collection is not DP 23 Registers of St Nathaniel’s, Platt Archivist is in post. If you wish to see complete, but covers matches from the any documents, please book in Bridge 1960’s up to the 1990’s. The bulk of the The Archive is the diocesan record advance. To avoid disappointment, collection is from the early 1980’s. Earlier please do not arrive without speaking office for the 37 churches in the deaneries programmes are more sporadic. The of Wigan and Winwick. We thank the to a member of staff. I must apologise programmes are in good condition and are for any disruption to the service whilst Reverend Kevin Crinks for depositing certainly worth perusing if you like rugby. more recent registers to add to the existing the post is vacant and refer people to The collection has been catalogued but the History Shop for any advice. collection in our possession. Hopefully is too large to publish here, so if you wish these will be available on microfilm in the However, before I go, I would like to to view any of the programmes please near future. thank all members of staff and the public telephone the Archive to make an who have given me help and support appointment, quoting the document All of the collections above are during my time here and wish you all the reference DDZ C/1 and the years you are catalogued and can be viewed by very best with your continuing research. I interested in. For security reasons appointment when the full service will leave you with some useful programmes will be limited to three per resumes. information for all of you with an interest person at any one time. in local and family history. DDS 56 Minute Books of the Golborne 1901 Census Townswomen’s Guild The History Shop has a Meeting Many of you are eagerly awaiting the Townwomen’s Guilds began about 70 Room, with a capacity for 36. release of the 1901 census, so here is an years ago and came originally from the This is available for hire by local information update on the present Women’s Suffrage Movement, when four groups and societies at a very situation. The information collected for guilds were formed as an experiment in reasonable cost: each decennial census is kept closed for the study of citizenship. At a Public 100 years. The release of census data Meeting on 20 March 1963 it was £7.50 PER MORNING OR collected in 1901 is scheduled for January resolved that an evening Townswomen’s AFTERNOON SESSION 2002. When it came to planning the Guild would be formed in Golborne; 84 release of the 1901 material the Public members joined on this date. The Guild £11.00 Record Office in London set itself the still exists today and recently deposited PER EVENING SESSION immense challenge of making the their minute books from 1964 to 1995. COMMERCIAL RATE information available to researchers £17.50 worldwide via the Internet. The project DDS 1 Record Book of the Wigan and (Day time only) involves scanning microfilms of the 1901 District Field Club Volume 3 REFRESHMENTS ARE ALSO census and transcribing the returns for The Archive is already in possession of AVAILABLE approximately 32.5 million individuals the papers of the Wigan and District Field If you are interested, contact Mike into a database that can be searched by Club, which includes other record books. Haddon name. A pilot of the project will be made Anyone with an interest in the natural available early in 2001 using the 1891 history of the local area should have a look (01942) 828121 census for Norfolk. at the record books of this society. 7 Dance to the Music of Time THE item on dance halls and coffee bars in the last issue of Past Forward generated a tremendous response. It is clear that many readers still have vivid memories of Miss Gee in particular. A big thank you to all those who so generously shared their memories with me. The following are only two of the many replies received.

Dear Mr. Ashcroft, Re your article in the Summer 2000 issue of Past Forward. I am enclosing a photocopy of a programme, which is advertising a Display of Dancing by the Pupils of Miss Gee. This event was held in aid of the war effort, and, as you can see the two final dances represented our dance teacher’s patriotism for her country, I think we were a little too young to appreciate the significance at the time. The only dance I can remember was ‘I want to be happy’. The names of all the dancers are listed on the back of the programme. I was E. Taylor, and was the one who led the troupe out onto the stage. My mother would take me every Saturday morning to the upstairs studio in King Street West. You can still make out the name of Gee’s School of Dancing on the wall as you walk along King Street West, although it is rather faded now. I was in the tap group and although I loved tap dancing I would have liked to have been in the ballet class, but I was deemed to be too tall. I left the dancing school shortly after this concert, but I remember I was very happy Dear Mr. Ashcroft, demonstrate new dances and give when the last waltz was played. during that time and feel very Your article (eaters, shoppers private lessons in modern and Special dances were allowed to proud to have danced on the stage and dancers) brought happy Latin American dancing; pupils carry on until 12 midnight. Happy where so many famous people memories to me. In 1948 I met my were rewarded with Gold, Silver Days! have performed. I am still in husband Joe at Gee’s School of or Bronze medals. Miss Gee’s contact with two of the dancers; it Dancing and we were together for mother always served tea and Florence Westhead would be interesting to know 51 years. biscuits at the interval. 2 Crescent House what happened to the others. Saturday night at Gees was Whenever any local churches School Street E. Berry the highlight of the week. It was a or works held their annual dances Hr. Ince 38 Larch Avenue family affair. Marion Gee (always at the Court Hall or the Empress Wigan WN2 2AX Pemberton spoken of as Miss Gee) and her Ballroom, we used to dance the Wigan WN5 9QN husband Harry used to night away - that is until 10.30 pm, ➯ 8 Take Your Partners Please

WHILST still an Atherton besides the Station Road Ritz Belle Vue’s fantastic Elizabethan schoolboy and a Briarcroft Club Cinema, and Bowdens had another Ballroom, with its revolving stage, its member in 1950, I weighed up grand dance school off Argyle Street, “piped Handel’s Water Music what joys were associated with near to Hindley Labour Club. The playing fountains”, plus a dedicated, the pleasant pastime of ballroom old record-players never ceased well-trained army of bouncers - dancing and in a few short years I playing! intent on preserving the peace - was was hooked, spending time Dancers won’t need reminding the best ballroom I’ve visited, but reaping satisfaction, tripping the that the Ince Public Hall had the Isle of Man’s “Palace” and “Villa “tremendously-sprung” floors. How light fantastic around various Marina”, (where the all-girl Ivy many Incers have attained interval Benson Band once played) were dance floors, dancing sometimes pass-outs, quaffed a short or an popular haunts. to big bands like Ted Heath and alternative good-headed pint at the Johnny Dankworth used to have, Manley Pub opposite Ince Public? Dim Lights at Blackpool Tower, Blackpool It was at the Ince Public Hall Winter Gardens and that in 1955 I first danced a barn The Manchester Ritz Ballroom Morecambe’s Floral Hall. dance, “A Pride of Erin”, and a had dimmed lights and its ceiling Friday evening dances were held square-tango, and quickstepped to seemed to revolve, shimmering with at Howe Bridge St. Michaels school “The Yellow Rose of Texas”. miniscule lights, like a star- around 1950, and elaborate, more Thousands danced to the “Wheels spangled-banner! Hindley Monaco, expensive “Farmers Balls” and Cha Cha”, and to Frankie Bolton Civic Hall and the top-floor “Police Balls” were organised at Vaughan’s great hit “Green Door”. of Hindley Industrial Co-operative Atherton’s Formby Hall, a hall “Love is a Many Splendoured which for years showed “Bobbie Society Building (prior to 1950), Thing”, “Tammy”, “When You Lose Beacon” - police, road-safety films attracted hordes of dancers. the One You Love”, “Till” and for local children. Around 1952, How many local people recall “Always” were unforgettable dance whilst running out my final school dancing on the “old” school hall months in Mr. Dixon’s class at melodies. Think back to your own floor at Hindley St. Peter’s School, or Hindley’s Argyle Street School, I dancing days! remember the last Hindley St. Peter’s learned that recorded “music for Dance organised in the Hindley dancing” was played in the Wigan Empress Hall Cardinal Newman R.C. School Hall? gymnasium at dinner-time. How many packed into the Hindley The Wigan Empress Hall and the Park High School’s Drama Theatre Ince Public Hall Casino were always popular venues, for an exceedingly successful “Easter as were Leigh Casino, Bolton Palais, Bunny Hop Dance” in 1988, run by Most routine, basic and advanced Lower Ince Labour Club, St. the P.T.A. people? dancing-steps were learned and Andrew’s Labour Club, Scholes Kenneth Lucas practised at either Tommy Moss’s or Labour Club; many, who liked to 80 Park Road Marion Gee’s (Wigan) dance combine bingo with dancing, Hindley schools, but the ‘Court Dance thought Barnsley Street’s Railway Wigan School’ had an upper-floor studio Club was a gem! WN2 3RX

I understand that Miss Room at the Top Beat Shopping Centre, Leigh; Club others, please contact me. Gee died fairly recently. If Club, Central Chambers, Caroline at Keg O’Kees, Finally, I am keen to any reader can supply more Wigan; Golden Clog Club, Atherton; Garrick Club, obtain any information on details, please let me know. Wigan (opened by Matt Leigh (opened by Ronnie the Left Book Club, which For those teenagers in the Munro, May 1961); Ashton Carroll, 17 November 1961); met in Leigh (monthly, in 1960’s and 1970’s, do you Baths or Wigan Baths Hall; Ollivers Club, King Street, Yates’ Cafe, Railway Road) remember the Twist, Carlton Club (opened by Lita Wigan; The Casino, Wigan and Wigan. Locomotion, Madison and Rosa, 4 November 1960); (opened 27 August 1965 - other dance crazes? Do you Pink Elephant Coffee Club, Shirley Bassey appeared on Tony Ashcroft remember where you Wigan; Beachcomber Club, the opening night) Local History Officer danced? Was it any of the on the site of the now These are only a few of Leigh Library following: demolished Boulevard many. If you remember any Tel: 01942 404559 9 Alan Roby continues his most evocative series of articles on the life of Miss Weeton as she travels to Yorkshire at the time of the Luddite Risings, to take up a position of governess to the wealthy Armitage family.

protection against the labour “My time is totally taken troubles Joseph had himself up with the children; from 7 ELLEN WEETON experienced at his previous o’clock in the morning, till home at Lockwood, where half past 7, or 8 at night. I (1776-1849) stones had been thrown at the cannot lie any longer than 6 windows, and where he had o’clock in a morning; and, If I GOVERNESS been shot at. All around High have anything to do for myself, Royd tragedies were taking in sewing, writing, etc., I must place because of the rise sooner. At 7, I go into the ‘Spare the Rod and Spoil the Child’ introduction of power looms nursery, to hear the children which had made the old their prayers, and remain with IN 1812 Miss Weeton was in her 36th year, in her domestic wool weaving them till after they have prime and had gained in confidence. For almost 18 industry redundant, resulting in breakfasted, when I go out much displacement of labour. with them whilst they play; months she had lived and experienced life in the busy and am often so cold, that I sea-port of Liverpool after the stifling atmosphere of Woollen trade join in their sports, to warm village life at Upholland, near Wigan. For a similar myself. About half past 8, I number of months she had lived in the cheerless home Miss Weeton described breakfast with Mr. & Mrs. of moody and unpredictable Edward Pedder at Mr. and Mrs. Armitage as Armitage, and then return Dove’s Nest, Ambleside, Westmoreland. She had young people “not yet 30, I again to the children till 9, recently enjoyed the excitement and exhilaration of a dare say, either of them. Mr. when we go into the school- strenuous walking tour of the Isle-of-Man. Now she Armitage is engaged in the room till 12. We then bustle on our bonnets, etc., for play, or a was ready to take on a new challenge. For that she woollen trade, has a short walk. At one, we bustle looked eastward over the Pennines to an area handsome fortune of his own and another with his wife.” them off again, to dress for suffering greatly through the activities of Luddites. She described her usual dinner, to which we sit down at Miss Weeton travelled by The Armitage family was working day and the a quarter past; the children stagecoach from Liverpool via the oldest in the district; dating dispositions of her four* always dine, with their Manchester to Huddersfield from the 14th century. The charges in detail: parents. By the time dinner is well over, it is 2 o’clock, when during July 1812 and managed family was prosperous “There has been a good deal we go into school, and remain to get a seat next to the through the trades of of company since I came; but, till 5. Whilst I am at tea in the coachman who was “very ‘clothiers’ and ‘coal-getting’; though I dine or drink tea with parlour, the children eat their communicative” and who they also ‘served the usual them, I am obliged to leave the offices’. Joseph Armitage, was room so immediately after I suppers in the nursery. I then described every object or place go to them, and remain with worth mentioning en route. the eldest son of Sir George have swallowed it, that I may Armitage, J.P. (known as truly be said to see little of them. them till 7, either walking out She arrived at High Royd, the of doors, or playing within, as home of her new employer, “Th’Justice”), who had recently vacated High Royd. *At the time of Miss Weeton’s arrival the weather may permit. I then Joseph Armitage, Esq., the there were six children in the family. hear their prayers, and see following day. High Royd was The property’s isolated Mrs. Armitage eventually became the location afforded some mother of 15 children. them washed; at half past 7, then a country house they are generally in bed. overlooking the village of Honley, some four miles from ‘Punctual as the Huddersfield on the Holmfirth clock’ road. The building still stands although greatly altered. “Mrs. Armitage conducts “It stands on high her house in so excellent a ground, and will be much manner, that we are as exposed to the storms and cold punctual as the clock. I never of winter; but, as Mr. A. has have to wait of anyone; and I plenty of coals on his own take care that no one shall estate, only a few hundred have to wait of me. It is the yards off, we shall have fire same with all in the house; enough; and I rejoice breakfast, dinner, tea, or exceedingly thereat” was supper, are always within five Miss Weeton’s first High Royd, c.1910, where Ellen Weeton was engaged as governess impression. to the wealthy Armitage family from July 1812 to June 1814. ➯ 10 minutes of the appointed time. far better than Mr. P’s; no The only thing I feel inclined quarrelling, rioting, or to grumble at, is the being The Luddite Risings of 1812 drunkenness here, that used, obliged to attend the children THE Luddite Risings of 1812 were not a sudden when I was at Dove-Nest, to at their play in a morning, as response to the introduction of new machinery. There terrify me so. Here, I know they are only in the yard. I were a number of causes and it is necessary to look at what I have to do; there, I should voluntarily choose to the years preceding the explosion into rioting and never did.” do it sometimes, but the machine breaking. However, Miss Weeton nursery maid, I should think, It was at the time of the Napoleonic Wars; England was concerned that whilst Mr. would be sufficient in general; had been at war with France since 1793 and in 1812 & Mrs. Armitage accepted the however, I get a little air, and it England was also at war with America. One result was teaching and discipline meted will render me less subject to the virtual closure of the ports for the import of food and out by their undoubtable and take colds; it will do me good, the export of goods. The position was exacerbated methodical governess, they though I don’t like it. through bad harvests and no grain could be imported; seemed unconcerned as to the combined with high unemployment, culminating in improvement of her pupils: ‘Ill-tempered’ great distress and starvation. “As Mr. & Mrs. A. never In 1806 the Government published a ‘Report on examine into the progress “The children, though well the State of Woollen Manufacture in England’. This was their children make, except in ordered by their parents, when because of opposition to the growth of factories and a very trifling manner, they are out of their sight are as unruly, the introduction of machinery. The powerful Croppers totally unacquainted with a noisy, insolent, quarrelsome, union had been objecting to the use of machinery for great part of what their some time. What they wanted was a revival of obsolete and ill-tempered a set, as I children learn. A weekly laws against the use of machinery and they were in a ever met with. I am beginning account which I render every good position to cause trouble. to get them to pay some Saturday, and which is totally Croppers were highly skilled workers, the elite of respect to my mandates, and the woollen industry, keeping themselves an exclusive my own doing, is listened to perhaps by and by, I may to my minority by restricting the intake of apprentices. with greater indifference than I requests; but I assure you, I Croppers’ hand shears were 4ft long and weighed could wish; and the children’s have had, and still have, a 40lbs and clearly needed great skill and strength to education has never, that I tough task to perform; and if operate. At a time when other workers received 16 to recollect, been a subject of Mr. & Mrs. Armitage had not 18 shillings a week, Croppers could earn 24 shillings conversation since my arrival. given me every authority, in or more and additionally were often paid five per cent For anything the parents might the most liberal manner, I of the value of the finished cloth. Furthermore it was know, I might teach the must have despaired of doing well within their power to make or mar the quality of the children to be Deists, or any good. A few days ago, I cloth. Atheists; or, what is almost felt a necessity of proceeding When trade depression finally came about worse, might never teach them to some very severe methods; through the introduction of machinery and anything like religion at all. certain, almost, at the same subsequent redundancy, the highly skilled and ‘Why does God make lions?’ time, I should meet the specialised Croppers were unable to turn to other said George one day, ‘when displeasure of Mr. & Mrs. A. in employment. they do nothing but kill and eat consequence, when they came It was against this turbulent background that the us, or anything else they can to be informed; but how great Luddite Risings took place in and around catch?’ (George has often an was my satisfaction, when they Huddersfield in 1812. idea of the superior excellence expressed their approbation of of mankind in general, and of the method and severity of the nursery, whilst washing. I In a letter to a Mrs. Price his own in particular). ‘If flies punishment which I had am endeavouring to correct dated 22 December, 1812, could speak, George,’ I inflicted. It has given me this, by degrees, as no Miss Weeton makes a direct answered ‘they would say, why spirits to proceed with tenfold innovation must be made comparison with her former does God make little children, more confidence, and a suddenly that affects the employer, Edward Pedder and who do nothing else but kill us greater desire to please them, mistress of the house or the her current employer, Joseph for sport?’ than before. The little servants. Armitage: creatures are very affectionate “This part of Yorkshire seems Vacant minds to me already; and of the three Value of minutes to be principally inhabited by younger ones, I think I can manufacturers and farmers; a “When I arrived, the two make something. Miss A., the “I have begun to teach the plodding, money-getting, eldest could read but few eldest, is the bad sheep that children to dance; and a sweet good kind of people; even words of 3 or 4 letters; the 3rd, infects the flock: punishment boy of 5 years old, to write; and everything in this house is words of only 2; and the fourth or reward make no lasting he does both, admirably. Their conducted with tradesman- has his alphabet to learn; they impression; I fear she is instruction, and sewing for like regularity and bustle; no did not appear to have naturally depraved. Though 7 Mrs. A., keep me very busy the sitting after breakfast or received the slightest verbal years of age, she has no ideas whole of school-time; I begin dinner, as we used to do at Mr. instruction! I never met with of common modesty; it is a again to know the value of Pedder’s. I generally rise from children of such vacant minds, wrong thing in parents to inure minutes, and to be very careful table with some of the meal in children to be stript entirely in to waste none of them.” my mouth. Yet I like the family Continued on page 12 11 since I came first into and I have found the benefit of consequence; and I think I ELLEN WEETON Yorkshire; and could be very it, though my reward from the have conquered. Miss A. is (1776-1849) comfortable if it were not for two Mrs. Armitages [mother again become not only GOVERNESS the perverse and violent and daughter] is sour looks tractable, but affectionate.” tempers of the children. And and cool treatment. A mother ‘Spare the Rod and Spoil they really are terrible; must indeed feel for her All weeping the Child’ ––––– whether I can ever subdue children, and so do I feel for them, is doubtful. For a few them; my spirit droops under After almost two years Continued from page 11 months before the holidays, I such a task; but my duty to God with the Armitage family it flattered myself that I had is to fulfil the duties of my was time to move on. On the considering the natural reduced my pupils to greater present situation, which I night before her departure, quickness of their capacities; order than they had ever been cannot do by indulging the Miss Weeton thought she heard and so indulged, that they before; but - the holidays have children in their own perverse the children quarrelling. When seemed to know what undone all, and again have I all ways, as their mother has done. she went to see them, she found obedience was. I have had, to do. Such screaming and “The eldest girl, for some they were all weeping, because and have even yet, a hard task shouting and incessant loud weeks, would not study a she was leaving. The next to bring them under any degree talking I dare say you never single lesson. She sat with the morning all the children rose at of subordination; but the worst, heard in any family before; and book or slate before her, doing five and walked with Miss I think, is over, though I am still such everlasting quarrelling. nothing. What would you have Weeton part of the way (it was obliged to correct and punish done in such a case? I 4 miles to the coach). They much more frequently that I The rod requested, persuaded, parted company with the could wish. Now they begin to insisted; but she would only children still weeping. want more books, and I “For a month since my smile carelessly in my face, She boarded the coach for mentioned, the other week, a return, the two boys never and toss her head. I then Liverpool in June 1814, few such as I could wish them attempted to say a lesson incessantly confined her at where she spent a fortnight to have. Mr. A. made without throwing themselves play hours, till she had before travelling back to objections to all, without into violent fits of passion; finished not only her present Upholland to see her old proposing any others in their screaming dreadfully, if I lessons, but all of which were friend Mrs. Braithwaite. stead. The expense seems to be persisted in making them say in arrears. Cool looks from Two months later, in an object, and I am surprised it. I have at last resorted to the Mrs. A., were the September 1814, at the age of at it; for those who choose to rod, notwithstanding it is so consequence; Sarah Anne’s 37 she married Aaron Stock keep a governess, should not repugnant to the present mild health would suffer, she of Wigan, a widower. Where be afraid of a few shillings in system of education; and if thought. So I thought; but or when she met Stock is not books.” you had heard their screams, something must be done, and known but little did she know But by September 1813, you would have thought I was as Mrs. A. did not propose any that the decision to marry Miss Weeton was beginning to really killing them, when better way, I persevered, him would be the biggest feel the strain. frequently I had only struck notwithstanding her unjust mistake of her life. (See “I feel more at home here their clothes; but for the last treatment, though a frequent ‘Aaron Stock of Wigan’ Past now than I have done any time week, I have made them feel it, fit of weeping was the Forward 24, p11).

regrettable closure of the added value to the Heritage Lancashire Mining Museum at Service's photos. To set the Buile Hill Park, Salford was its industry in its historic context a curator. As with the other local four page introduction describes books in this series, all the prints the origins, development and used for reproduction were ultimate extinction of coal mining The Wigan Coalfield prepared by our own Senior in the Wigan area. Technician, Len Hudson. With the notable exception of compiled by Alan Some 2000 photographs the Astley Green Colliery Davies with Len Hudson have been selected by Alan from Museum, virtually every physical his own Museum's collection, vestige of coal mining has been READERS will no doubt be aware from the holdings of Wigan removed from the landscape, so of Tempus Publishing Ltd.'s Heritage Service (Archives) and this highly recommended volume ‘Images of England' illustrated from a notable private collection. will be especially important in book series through the various Alan's choices range from the giving future generations an local town titles already produced earliest views available in the appreciation of the working lives in conjunction with Wigan 1860's to the end of the industry of miners and pit brow lasses, Heritage Service. in the 1990's; he also has a good together with an impression of the Their latest volume geographical spread around the surface buildings and headgears, concerning this area is different in coalfield and covers many which were once such a common that it covers an industry rather aspects both technical and social. sight in the district. than a specific locality. The Wigan The selection of illustrations is The Wigan Coalfield is Coalfield also differs in that it further enhanced by his available from the History Shop involves a third party, the comprehensive captions, which @ £9.99 (plus £1.00 p & p). compiler being Alan Davies who makes for a very interesting read, M.F. Haddon until the recent and very and which has certainly given Wigan Heritage Service 12 The strange case of the vanishing statue

IN 1903, following the end of how they had given an the Boer War, a memorial to by J. A. Hilton example to those who came the soldiers of Wigan who forward in this country’s had fallen in the war was cause’, and he knew that the erected in Mesnes Park. The memorial ‘would be long work of Gascombe John, the regarded by the people of that town and district’. Councillor monument was the marble Fyans, the chairman of the figure of a soldier holding a memorial fund, regarded it as bronze pistol in one hand and ‘a memorial, which should be a bronze flag in the other. for all time a monument to the Now all that remains at the bravery of Wigan’s soldiers’. top of the steps in front of the And so it long remained. pavilion, is the base, Indeed, the memorial became inscribed “This memorial a popular place for volunteers was erected by public in subsequent wars to be subscription to the memory photographed. of the men belonging to the regular, volunteer and ‘Removed imperial Yeomany forces of altogether?’ Wigan and district who fell in the South African War 1899- However, by 1965 the 1902. Wigan Observer asked ‘Has not the time come when this heroic Controversial figure of a soldier might be removed altogether? Erosion, The was had been vandalism and the ravages of controversial. The time generally have created Conservatives and Liberal havoc with the figure of the Unionists, who together An artist’s sketch of the unveiling of the Boer War memorial in soldier....The South African formed the government, were, Mesnes Park, Wigan, published in the Wigan Observer, War Memorial statue has become ignominious, so of course, in favour of the war. 11 February 1903. The Liberals were divided by battered and damaged it is the war, but the Independent foreigners (called Uitlanders surrendered in 1903, and the today’. Eventually, in 1968, the Labour Party opposed it. The by the Boers), mainly British, unions of South Africa was Borough Council ordered the supporters of the war regarded arrived to work in the formed. removal of the statue, but it as the just defence of British goldfields. The Boers refused The speakers at the decided to leave the base in citizens abroad. The to grant the vote to the unveiling of the statue place. According to Geoffrey opponents of the war Uitlanders, but levied high acknowledged that the war Shryhane, ‘it rotted away and condemned it as the unjust taxes on them. As relations had been controversial, but was eventually disposed of at conquest of an independent between the uitlanders and the hoped that the monument the bottom of a compost heap’. people. Boers worsened, the would be a lasting monument Obviously the statue was The origins of the war went Uitlanders appealed to Britain to the local respect for Wigan’s suffering from decay and back to the beginning of the for protection, and in 1899 war war-dead. Sir Francis Powell, vandalism. Politics is the art of 19th century, when Britain, at broke out between Britain and MP, admitted that ‘There had the possible and it was deemed war with the French and their the Transvaal, which was been differences of opinion that the removal of the statue Dutch allies, annexed the supported by the Orange Free respecting the war itself which and the preservation of the Dutch Cape Colony to protect State . must always exist in a free base was an acceptable the sea-route to our Indian country, but there was no compromise. Nevertheless, the empire. Subsequently many difference as to the regard and disappearance of the statue Dutch settlers, who were called British defeats estimation in which they held reduced by half, and the more Afrikaners or Boers (Dutch for those who fought for England’. dramatic half at that, the farmers), trekked out of the The war began with British Sir Francis, whose own statue number of Wigan’s public Cape and founded the defeats including Spion Kop still sits in the park, declared statuary. The response to independent republics of the (Once commemorated by the that ‘the monument would vandalism was an act of Orange Free State and the Kop at Central Park, but now remain during many years as greater vandalism. Transvaal. Finding itself demolished). However, these an indication of the honour in Does the statue really lie menaced by the Zulus, the defeats only served to stiffen which they held those who under a compost heap at the Transvaal agreed to be British resolve, and fought, and suffered, and died back of the Park? Could it, annexed by Britain in 1877, reinforcements were sent out in the cause of their country’. therefore, be excavated, and but, after the Zulu War, it to South Africa, including not He trusted that the monument restored to mark the year of successfully fought for its only regulars but also ‘would be treasured by the public sculpture and the independence in 1881. Then in volunteers and yeomanry inhabitants of the town during centenary of the South African 1886 gold was discovered in (part-time) cavalry). many generations as proof of War or will its absence the Transvaal, and numbers of Eventually the Boers what Wigan men had done and continue to be a reproach? 13 Mapping the Millennium

As I write, the Mapping the Millennium Festival is nearing its completion. Nearly 20 different venues have hosted the exhibition, Free Fall including libraries, public halls and community resource centres, and feedback has been both positive and encouraging. The last few venues are as follows:

Atherton Library Atherton, 20 - 27 Nov Tyldesley/Hindsford

Ince Library Ince-in-Makerfield 27 Nov - 11 Dec

History Shop Wigan Town Centre 11 Dec - 6 Jan Mesnes Park, Swinley

(Two of the above maps - Ince-in-Makerfield and North Swinley - appear on the back cover of this issue of Past Forward) Another success story. Some marvellous colourful parachutes, with their own artwork transferred onto them, have been produced by over 400 children of the Borough. Some of these parachutes Midi Music have been displayed along with the local sections of the Parish During the summer, 100 young people were given the opportunity Map during the Festival tour, before being given back to the to write and perform their own songs, expressing their hopes and various community groups to use as a play resource. More sessions aspirations for the new Millennium. Sessions were held in eight are planned. different venues throughout the Borough. The feedback has been distinctly positive, with a clear wish for repeat sessions. The Millennium Tree In the meantime, a CD is currently being produced, which will include the songs composed and performed during the sessions. The Millennium play proved to be an outstanding production. Although the objective of taking the production to as many venues within the Borough as possible resulted in some performances playing to less than full houses, the run certainly began on a very high note with a capacity audience for the premier at the Mill at the Pier, and finished with well-supported performances in October as part of the Standish and Ashton festivals. The enthusiasm of the Youth Theatre was infectious, and the script was brilliant. Congratulations to Edward and all concerned, both on stage and behind the scenes. The Millennium Souvenir Thanks to some generous support from Wigan Council and private sponsorship, an attractive leather bookmark was presented to each nursery and primary schoolchild in the Borough, bearing the words: Presented to each young person in Wigan Borough This is a Borough to commemorate the new Millennium - 2000 AD This 17 minute audio-visual presentation, produced by Colin Balls of Chorley, and based on the entry which recently won him the British audio-visual championships, has been a great hit wherever it has been shown. It has been widely praised for its evocation of days gone by, and for its imaginative interpretation of the Parish Map. There is only one problem - it is not for sale! Many visitors have enquired about purchasing it, but unfortunately, for commercial reasons, this is not feasible at present. However, I hope to be in a position to commission Colin to produce a brand new programme to accompany the display of the Parish Map in the History Shop in a year’s time, and hopefully by then a video of both programmes will be on general release. Millennium Festival Co-ordinator (and Editor of Past Forward) Thanks to all of you who have expressed an interest...... and Alastair Gillies presents Millennium souvenir bookmarks to please be patient! pupils of Bedford Hall Methodist Junior School, Leigh. 14 Mapping the Millennium

2001 – So what next? Hopefully, all 28 sections of the Parish Map will parachutes, with artwork by local children. Some come together for the first time next autumn, midi music interactive displays, following on from under one roof. This will be in the History Shop, the success of the midi music sessions for young following the Year 2000 exhibition. Wigan’s people during the summer, are also planned. This answer to the Bayeux Tapestry! A candidate for is a Borough has been so highly acclaimed that a the Guinness Book of Records? brand new audio visual programme is under But the success of the Festival has shown that discussion, devoted entirely to an exciting and there is so much unfulfilled potential in this innovative interpretation of the Parish Map. A project. It will not be enough, for example, to dedicated web-site is also planned. simply display the Parish Map - it has immense But all this needs money! To this end, a bid has educational potential, for example, and is ideally recently been submitted to the Heritage Lottery suited to interactive interpretation. Fund, to enable this exciting vision to be realised. It is hoped that the complementary activities of A result is expected early in the New Year, so the last year will play a major role in the History hopefully, I’ll have some good news in the next Shop exhibition. It will lend itself, for example, to issue of Past Forward, due out in March 2001. the display of some specially large Millennium Watch this space!

15 After all the time, effort and hard work put in by the exhibition team, the new exhibition in the Wickham Wigan 2000 Gallery is finally complete. Wigan 2000 - The Way We Are had its official opening by the Mayor of Wigan Cllr. Mrs. J. Hurst on 30 The Way We Are October. However regular visitors will have spotted that the doors were open much earlier on the 9th and will have enjoyed a sneak preview. We are all indebted to all our partners for help with this exhibition - businesses, local groups and the public alike - as we set ourselves the challenge of reflecting life as it is today, not as it was in the past. We think the re- display of the gallery has gone very well and we are delighted with the exhibition - but we would love to know what you think. Come and look at the exhibition and let us know.

A new look for the Wickham Gallery.

In the last issue of Past Forward (No. 25 pp.14, 15) we went into a great deal of detail about the exhibition and its aims, its content and how the wider community were involved. While not wanting to repeat this, the main features are: ● An exhibition to celebrate the new Millennium by reflecting life in our borough today. ● Not an exhibition about the past. ● An exhibition based on a set of archive photographs specially commissioned by the Heritage Service from local photographer Peter Muir. ● Not an exhibition of photographic prints. ● An exhibition involving all elements of the community in its development and display. ● Not an exhibition written by curators. ● An exhibition exploring the ideas of marking a special moment in history with putting together time capsules, recording your favourite object or relating a day in the life. ● Not an exhibition of the objects themselves, but of the reasons for the objects A family group being shown. look at the ● An exhibition that will be visually exciting and fun to visit, with the mystery numeracy and object challenge and the BBC Community Archive Project. literacy interactive ● Not an exhibition to be missed! area.

16 BBC HISTORY 2000: Community Archive As outlined last time, the Heritage Service has entered into partnership Examples of the with the BBC to become one of their Museum’s own local history centres. On top of time capsules. displaying their History 2000 programming and distributing their newsletter, we are getting involved in their Community Archive Project. Members of the public are invited to bring in a personal item that has historical relevance to them and have it recorded digitally along with their reasons for choosing it. We will be running supervised sessions to get Wigan businesses started, so come down to the History got very involved Shop or ring up to find out the date of and helped with the next session. Once again the BBC much of the want these images and it is possible you exhibition. and your object could end up on telly!

What’s in and what’s Peter Muir’s out - the fast moving characters jump off world of teenage the panels to greet fashion. you.

The personal view. What ordinary members of the public might save for posterity.

17 HISTORY SHOP NEWS

THE summer round of Taylor Gallery is host to a photographic exhibitions at splendid selection of the History Shop proved as paintings by local artist Wigan Heritage popular as ever. Both the Gerald Rickards. The theme Atherton and the Wigan is buildings in and around Photographic Societies Haigh. Gerald has been on Service mounted a fine selection of hand during the exhibition to prints, much enjoyed by our chat to visitors and offer his visitors. Visitors to the advice at workshop sessions. Wigan group’s show had an Our final exhibition of Exhibition Programme opportunity to vote for their the year will display the favorite print; the winner I Wigan Town Centre and The History Shop - Wickham Gallery can reveal was ‘Taj Mahal’ Swinley sections of the From October 2000 by Jeremy Malley-Smith Parish Map, the last event in Wigan 2000 - The Way We Are LRPS. the Millennium Festival tour. Wigan Heritage Service’s new exhibition, a look at life in A big thank you for all Come along and admire the Wigan today. involved with the displays. skill and dedication of local As we go to press the people. The History Shop - Taylor Gallery 11 December - 6 January 2001 Mapping the Millennium The Wigan Town Centre and Swinley sections of the Parish Map. 15 January - 31 March Food and Shopping A Culinary History of the Borough 7 April - 27 June The Collier Battalion Local men in the Manchester Regiment Leigh Library - The Derby Room 6 November - 2 December Opening of Wigan Photographic Society Annual Exhibition 2000, The Wigan Coalfield President Derek Swift with the Mayor of Wigan, Cllr. Joan Hurst From the book by Alan Davies and Len Hudson

FRIENDS FRIENDS OF WIGAN HERITAGE SERVICE The Friends organisation and indeed a Friends meeting have once again taken a back seat due to the staff turnover and work on our Name ...... new exhibition ‘Wigan 2000 - The Way We Are’. The time has now come to concentrate on this important initiative. Despite lack of impetus from our side, the membership list stands Address ...... at a very healthy 450 and is growing steadily. Please look out for your Friends autumn mailing which will include details of our ...... planned constitution and committee composition, as well as an invitation to a special general meeting to agree the plans and select the committee. There are two points I would particularly like to ...... stress: 1. Please put yourself forward or nominate someone who would Interests ...... like to be involved in the organisation, as stressed in the last issue...... 2. If you would like to join the Friends all new members are very welcome and are also eligible for appointment. Please fill in the slip on the right or write to us to save defacing your magazine...... Meanwhile to assist us with regularizing the system of subscription Please enclose £5 subscription for 2001. Cheque/P.O. may I remind you that your £5 annual subscription for 2001 is due on 1 January. I would also like to take this opportunity to wish all payable to: Wigan Council and return to the History Shop, our Friends a very happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year - Library Street, Wigan WN1 1NU. although I do hope to see many of you at our meeting before that. Remember your subscription entitles you to a priority PHILIP BUTLER Acting Heritage Services Manager & Friends Co-ordinator mailing of Past Forward three times a year.

18 The first two years of World War II (as recalled by a then 6th Form pupil at Ashton-in-Makerfield Grammar School)

IN THE summer of 1939 I, along go to the “Skitters” with makeshift stayed till well after the War was with others of my age, was await- toboggans and have snowball fights. over. When I was home from college ing the School Certificate re- As regards the War, nothing and later from teaching in sults, but meanwhile, during the much seemed to be happening, so Birmingham, I often used to walk up summer holiday, a goodly num- we began to attend full time. There from Bryn to have a chat with her. would be the occasional air raid ber of us went to Belgium on warning when we would make our Blind eye to munching what was known as the Annual way to the air-raid shelters at the School Continental Holiday. We Old Road side of the school. I was The evacuees finally went back stayed for eight days at the given the task of forming a choir to or found other accommodation and seaside resort of Heyst sur Mer sing while in the shelter. Sometimes we began full time schooling again. and had a thoroughly good time. we would only be there for two or It’s funny what little things come Little did we think as we rode on three minutes but other times it back to one’s memory. Eldon enormous tricycles along the could be up to two hours. Griffiths, later an M.P., was in our promenade, made trips into form. We had very little in the way Holland, and visited First World Bombing of sweets, owing to the rationing, War battlefields, that within a but he, somehow, often had some. I Then came the serious bombing must say that he was very generous short time there would be more of Liverpool. We were told that part with them and would pass them battlefields. of the school would be occupied by round in Prep Times. Miss Soon after we arrived home my evacuees from Bootle - so it was Hodgkinson was often sitting in friends, Alice Prescott, Kathleen back to half-time again. The sixth with us and turned a blind eye to Naylor and I were relieved to hear formers were asked to help in any our munching, occasionally that our School Certificate Results way possible. Alice, Kathleen and I partaking herself. were good enough for us to go back managed to find a handcart which In the spring of 1941 it was time to school and become sixth formers. we trundled around Ashton and to start applying for Teachers’ Bryn, begging for blankets, Training College. I wanted to go to Outbreak of war clothing, etc. We had a very good Whitelands C. of E. College in response, considering that these Putney and my friend Alice chose Then, of course, came the items, if replaced, would cost Southlands Methodist College, also outbreak of war. We were told that precious clothing coupons. We also in the London area. We thought we parts of the school must be helped in preparing breakfasts and would be able to meet occasionally. prepared for emergencies. There making tea. We were both successful in our would be a First Aid area, an Air Many of the evacuees were choices but Alice’s college was Raid Precautions Post, etc. We resentful at having to leave their evacuated to Weston-Super-Mare began to attend half-time, alternate homes and didn’t make life easy. and mine to Durham City - poles weeks, mornings and afternoons. But there were exceptions. One I apart. We still seemed to do a lot of work remember was a little woman called We were sad to leave Ashton and certainly a great deal of Mrs. Gillibrand who helped all she Grammar. In spite of the War we homework, but we had our lighter could. Unlike many of the others, had some lovely memories. moments. The first winter of the she was determined not to take her Nora Preston (nee Glover) war was very severe and the snow five children back to Bootle. She (formerly of Bryn) seemed to lie for weeks. If we had found a cottage to rent by the green Rainhill the afternoon off groups of us would in Downall Green. There they Merseyside 19 From Wigan to World Tour The Life of Mary Alicia Hodkinson 1912-1995 THE medical details of her arrival into the world on Dear Sir, 18th September 1912 I have only recently seen your magazine and I am very fascinated Mary Alicia. She impressed by its presentation and selection of material, could not ignore the marks aimed at readers who wish to be informed and entertained of the forceps on her by what is best in our local heritage. forehead noticeable until I enclose a little book which could be of interest to you, particularly in relation to the Swedenborgian Church in early middle life. A grave Wigan. Whatever the influences were in Wigan or in this decision had been made, too, branch of the Christian church, they certainly bred a as her mother had been stalwart in Mary Alicia Hodkinson, born in the town in 1912. given chloroform and there Mary, Mary, Nurse Contrary (ISBN 09511642 3 6, was no way of knowing if the 136pp, paperback, illustrated in colour, 1997) is available patient was allergic to it. It from New Church House, 34 Dalton Street, Manchester was a Wednesday. M2 6LE, @ £5.95 plus 70 p&p. All proceeds from the sale Her father was Joseph of the book go via the University of Central Lancashire Hodkinson, one of a family of Charitable Foundation towards the setting up of a student 13 who were members of the nurses’ prize. New Jerusalem Church Anne Bradley (Swedenborgian) in Wigan. Higher Walton Joseph was a lay preacher and Preston when he visited Preston to • The story of Mary Alicia Hodkinson is a fascinating read. preach, he met Miss Edith Mary The author has kindly given her permission for the Clarkson who, like Joseph, was reproduction here of the opening pages of her book, relating to a member of a family who had Mary’s first five years spent in Wigan. I hope it will whet readers’ appetites to read the whole story of this remarkable been Swedenborgians for four Mary Alicia Hodkinson generations. She was a milliner, lady. Ed. 1912-1995 working in a haberdasher’s shop in town. They continued a mode The answer spelled out the shop, a florists, needed only the baby, Margaret. The busy of courtesy by which a person word ‘Money’. Edith married ground floor so Joseph had the mother, who was also learning was addressed and spoken of by him, bore and brought up three use of all the cellars, also the to do the business accounts was title, ‘Mr. Mrs. etc.’. They children who treated the first and second floor rooms glad to let Mary spend much of became engaged to be married anecdote with hilarity. above both shops. The upstairs her time in the shop downstairs after an acquaintance of twelve drawing room was so large that away from the new baby and months during which due to Standishgate he planned to install a full size from young Harold whose good their advanced age (27 and 30) a church organ in the chimney health was not yet established. chaperone was not obligatory. Their first child Mary was alcove. Two suites were Money was not discussed - this born in King Street, Wigan but upholstered in blue velvet, the Behind the Aspidistra being bad form - but Miss not long after Joseph was three-seater sofas would convert Clarkson had a certain prudence established enough in his into chaises longues. Here were Mary loved the peace in the so consulted a local person with watchmaker’s and jeweller’s held musical soirees with other an Ouija board and asked “what business to move to 52 shop and liked to conceal business and professional herself behind the fixtures. Her does Joseph Hodkinson earn?” Standishgate. The adjoining people as guests. There was a favourite hiding place was resident maid and a daily behind the aspidistra in a woman for rough work. jardiniere poised on a A bright future was planned mahogany column. Customers for the young first-born. Father received a shock when entering decided she was to be an interior an apparently empty shop a designer and he built her a big childish voice, well instructed in dolls’ house on the second floor formal courtesy, piped: and she was to have free range to “Forward, Mr. Hodkinson, furnish. Many years later Mary please” and her father did have scope in her career for materialised from his workshop. interior design, but it was re- The maid Cissie escorted arranging furniture in geriatric Mary to her first school, a small hospitals. Only 13 months after Mary, private establishment in a brother Harold was born and Standishgate house. When Postcard to Grandparents Clarkson, 1913. before Mary was five a third ➯ 20 Mary was collected at midday, near them. Harold, nearly four understanding that a Uncle Jack was engaged. she was standing on the steps to years old, timid and sickly, took gentleman’s word is his bond. Mary’s beautiful dolls’ the street holding out her hand his Mother’s hand and said Sales apart from watch repairs house, so large that she could to the teacher saying “Thank “Don’t worry Mother, I’ll be for soldiers had fallen walk into it, was converted into you very much for having me. I Father now”. drastically during the war years. packing case. The tickets for shall not be coming any more. Later that day Mary was Joseph’s widow never sailing were late arriving but, Your children are too rough and taken outdoors under a clear recovered any money. Worse with his usual thoroughness, autumn sky. One was revealed. To assemble the Uncle Jack got things moving. star twinkled cash Joseph had let his life Later he wished he had allowed brightly. Her mother insurance payments lapse. the muddle to reign, as he knew said this was However, the possibility of that his sister would have called “Daddy’s Star” and his wife becoming a war-widow off the whole expedition which a sign that he was had been faced and a plan he deplored from the start. always thinking of suggested. Edith Mary The U-boat blockade had them. It was a Hodkinson, rigorously been all too successful. On the simple belief that conscientious to her spoken 31st January 1918 when the sustained Mary in word, had agreed and now family were aboard the Ionic it the trials to come. intended to fulfil it. was the last sailing of women Brother and and children for Australia during sister attended the Better life the War. funeral service at the Uncle Jack had arranged for New Jerusalem identity tags for the children to Edith Hodkinson with Mary (2-3 years) At the time of his marriage in Church in Wigan. be printed on waterproof and Harold 1911 her husband had financed Each carried a material. Three to four inches the passage to Australia of three noisy”. The long quiet hours Madonna lily whose white wide and two inches long they of his sisters. His wife had no spent with her father had a trumpet flower erect on the stem were firmly sewn on the inside sisters, though five brothers. It profound effect on Mary, a of their vests. ‘To whom it may was taller than they were. was a fond assumption that the lasting appreciation of peace concern: if this child should be fatherless children would be and silent companionship. picked up alive OR dead in the Courteous assisted to a better life by their This warm relationship with Northern Hemisphere contact aunts in Australia. So, to find the her father was rudely shattered: John Clarkson (address): in the Mr. Hodkinson had been a means to travel there, the within six weeks of Mary’s first Southern Hemisphere contact popular businessman and local business must be sold. Furniture, half day at school Joseph was Mary Hodkinson (Australian memories also lingered on of his silver, china, jewellery was dead and Mary was not at school address of aunt). The care of this father, an enlightened coal mine auctioned. After the purchase of again until she had completed a child will be rewarded’. Mary owner who, after a serious mine second-class tickets for £90 for world tour. Her father was a was very proud of this proof of flood, had installed pumping one adult and three children there victim albeit in undramatic her own worth alive or dead and gear and was able to keep men was £48 left. Unsold silver and circumstances of the First World employed for managed to keep it, transferred War. another 14 years. to other vests, on dry land, until As the cortege she was nearly eight years old. Years of carnage moved along At five years old sailing to Standishgate it was Australia, like the other By 1917 there had been lined with people passengers, she was required to three years of carnage on the paying their last wear a life-belt at all times, and battlefields of France. respects to a near the war zone, had to go to Conscription required age courteous man of bed fully clothed even to an groups - late 30’s - to attend for business, the official overcoat with a cork life belt on medical examination. Stripped clock winder and top. and waiting in a draughty hut, repairer for the Joseph developed pleurisy. Borough and a Six weeks later, Mary Partially recovered after notable lay preacher. arrived in Australia. But this hospitalisation he was sent to a Financially the was only the beginning of a convalescent home at Grange- family was ruined. world tour, followed in due over-Sands. He returned home As an apparently course by a position in a from there seeming well enough strong young man Workhouse Hospital, giving and played the piano at Mary’s Joseph had acted medical assistance to Freedom birthday party. She was five confidently with his fighters in World War II, when her father died, officially trade, investing upsetting the Government in from pneumonia, on the 15th wisely in equipment Nursemaid Cissie holds baby Margaret; an offshore island after the October 1917. to expand the Harold and Mary, 1917 War and becoming in her The two older children were business. He had chosen profession of nursing a taken to the neat bedroom as he paid cash to purchase gold and jewellery was packed to be later pioneer in geriatric care. lay there and told that Daddy silver plating baths and had sold for living expenses and as To bring dignity and had gone to sleep and would not handed over money to gifts for relatives. Further fullness of living to the end of wake up. He was going to stay colleagues who were planning confidence was given by a letter life was her aim. Her life story with Jesus who needed him. similar ventures. Unusually he of introduction to the Australian will encourage and inspire all They would not see him any had not obtained receipts but agent of the Preston printing who wish to bring such more but he would always be had acted on the old business in which the children’s blessings to those in their care. 21 In this issue, Ernie recounts the days when he became the proud owner of a motor bike! I remember when . . . IN AN earlier feature in nine pounds and take the car”, search for a scrap yard began, having dropped his fare Past Forward I wrote in and added, “There’s nothing once I’d arranged transport for beyond Preston, who on the centenary year of the wrong with it except the engine my passengers to their two hearing my story, not only car (1996) that “only cuts out without warning but I holiday locations. I agreed to stop at my holiday affluent people owned think its fuel starvation, remembered that there was one cottage, whilst my wife made motor cars”. Whilst that because the owner drove it here in the Cherry Tree district but up a pack of sandwiches and a was manifestly true for three miles with me having hitched a lift from a flask of tea, but also insisted on between the 1920’s and the following, and it seemed OK” passing motorist, found that he touring the outskirts of time of writing it, there Checking it in his yard I didn’t have the part I so Blackpool to locate my was always the exception found the cam driven petrol desperately needed. However stranded conveyance on the as this feature will show. pump was choked with sand, so he knew “two lads” in Preston grass verge. He didn’t want to For instance, if one was after cleaning and replacing the who did, only to be told when leave me alone but apologised prepared to acknowledge that filter, it started easily. I bought he phoned them that, as it was as he had only just started his “pride and prejudice” could be it, but within a few days the 7.30 pm, they were about to night’s work and “had a living two imposters and act sand blockage returned. I then lock up. However, they agreed to make”. He wouldn’t even accordingly, it was possible to decided to flush out the tank to keep open until I arrived, and take my fare and said, “have join the growing ranks of and “recovered” sufficient sand the motorist who had given me this one on me”. motorists. to lay a line of bricks if I’d had a lift so far agreed to take me to So you Lancastrians In my own case I became a bit of cement handy! Preston Coach Station. everywhere, give thanks that the proud owner of a motor Now to enjoy myself and you belong to such a breed! bike that had stood rusting family with my nine quid’s Catastrophe! away in a neighbour’s back worth of car which had by now Easy in the garage become my pride and joy, to garden for years. When she A patrolling beat bobby the extent that I became so sure asked if I would push it down knew the yard and And my repair job? Any of its reliability that we booked to Calderbanks scrap yard, in accompanied me to the corner engineer will tell you that a holiday cottage near Woodhouse Lane, out of sheer of the street. After just a few removing a broken half shaft is Kirkham. For good measure I curiosity I decided to see if I minutes walk there was “one easy in the garage with all even booked my parents (who could “get it to go” first. of the lads” (a man in his early facilities, but digging one out still lived in Wigan) into a I had to pay out 5s. (25p) 30’s) at the gate of his yard on a standard car jack on the holiday apartment at South for a second hand tyre. I waiting to close. Catastrophe! grass verge with only the spare Shore Blackpool, intending to couldn’t find a float chamber His mate had loaded the half wheel as an extra safeguard (in pick them up daily and explore cap to replace the missing one shaft into their lorry and it was case the jack slipped) at 2.30 am so I made one from a metal the Fylde area together. buried under a few tons of in a gale on the main Blackpool- paste tin lid and punched a hole miscellaneous scrap! On Lancaster road is a different in the centre to accommodate Ominous ‘wiring’ hearing of my dilemma they matter. It was an achievement I the float needle. That was all it both agreed to unearth my feel I can be proud of, especially cost me to fix the bike, which For three days all went precious shaft for me with my since my only illumination was then carried two of us every according to plan, until I help! Never was I so pleased from a hand torch propped on a Saturday (returning the stopped at a main road halt sign to be “a Lancashire lad” as that halfbrick! following day) to Squire’s Gate on the fourth day and all I could night, as everyone I met That said, I can only recall Holiday Camp for the whole get, on letting in the clutch, was wanted to help, particularly as one other occasion which gave season! In those days it was a an ominous ‘wirring’ sound. At my parents were on their first me equal satisfaction. A coach sandy piece of ground, first I thought it was the clutch week’s holiday ever. load of American and German alongside the railway where slipping, but on inspection I Now the “proud tourists stranded in Lichfield campers were welcomed at a found it to be a sheared rear possessor” of an identical half on an eight day tour of England cost of 9d. (under 5p) per axle half shaft. What could be shaft (cost £2.50p) I could and Scotland asked me, as their person per night! worse? Halfway through the have kissed the oily boots of relief coach driver, if I knew holiday in a place like the scrapyard “lads” quite were Wirksworth Church was, Blackpool in the holiday cheerfully when they said they as that was where the parents of “Give me nine season, what garage would couldn’t run me back, but two of the Americans were pounds . . .” undertake such a repair? Not would take me and my buried. Wirksworth Church that I could afford it anyway, precious possession, now actually stands on the side of a Many years later, I needed having already committed wrapped in old newspapers, to 1-in-4 hill near Matlock, nearly to replace the front section of myself by treating my parents the beginning of the twice as steep as Parbold Hill - wiring harness on my Hillman to what was to be a holiday of a Blackpool new road, as they but that’s another tale for Minx. I found what I wanted in lifetime for them. called it, where I could easily another day (and another Past a Minx in a Coventry So the two imposters “pride get a lift. They were right. The Forward!) scrapyard, and asked the owner and prejudice” had to be first car I “thumbed” was a Happy motoring to all. for a price. He said, “Give me relegated once again, and a Blackpool taxi returning, © E. Taberner IT MAY be surprising to learn that street violence had a Throughout history there have always been witnesses prominent role in the towns and cities of Britain throughout who saw such grim realities of life first hand, people with the 19th century. Obviously, sensationalised stories in a tale (or two) to be told. Often, such stories were handed newspapers and the attitudes of powerful people have over to the newspapers, but some people wrote their sometimes distorted stories involving crime and violence, but experiences down in diaries. One such person was few suggest that it did not happen. Sergeant Newcombe of the old Wigan Borough Police The 19th century was particularly grim for many people. force. Sergeant Newcombe worked the streets of Wigan Some parts of Wigan were overcrowded and many people and Scholes between 1881 and 1902. Printed here with lived in damp conditions where disease was rife. Low kind permission of the Greater Manchester Police incomes and the availability of drink were contributing Museum is just one of the many stories that Sergeant factors in many cases of unruly behaviour in public. Newcombe recorded in his diary. Wigan Borough Police – A tale from the Graveyard Shift “USUALLY in Borough element, but upon arrival the had been taken then assault and courage failed him for one Police Forces the section policemen’s service is not would follow. moment, woe be to him in the upon duty from 6pm to 10pm required. The landlady, a fine future. Directing the young is made up both of the day tall determined old woman “Monkey Moyle” policeman who was a well-built and night men, a certain well liked by her customers serious-looking young fellow to number of night men coming had her own way of dealing Two of these roughs met grip tight the prisoner he drew on from 6pm to 2am to stiffen with rowdy fellows. She two policemen on the footpath his own staff. This caused the up the remainder when the would push up alongside placing themselves in such a gathering crowd to move except streets are busiest. Over the them as they were wrestling position as to intentionally Moyle and another fellow. A weekends in the busiest and kicking, thrust an jostle the recruit. One, a thin sharp blow on the corner of the thoroughfares these men uncorked bottle with some dark evil-looking young fellow, shoulder to the leader and generally work in couples so spirits of ammonia under noted more for his skill in another on the side of the knee our evening duty is with two their noses and the fight arranging mischief than his to the other put them out of policemen. This is a distinct ceases instantly. When the courage, best known as action for the moment. Dyer pleasure where two old police arrived the two “Monkey Moyle”. The other a had gripped the recruit round friends come together - time offenders were running into very tall, very thin young man the waist but the feel of the staff passes pleasantly and any the street gasping for breath. with a cast in one eye, known in laid across his face disagreeable job is This effective proceeding was this place as “Sneering Jack accompanied by a sharp threat, undertaken with more usually taken in good part and Dyer”. The older officer noted cooled him considerably and he confidence. However, very only once did it lead to a their action and rapidly changed said he would go quietly. A often the old constable has a broken window; this was an positions with the recruit. This howling, disorderly crowd of recruit for company; this is unprofitable proceeding, movement was observed by people accompanied their often unpleasant but if the leading to three months hard Moyle who smartly left the masterly retreat to the police older man has any common labour upon the offender. footpath. But Dyer who had not office, but the stern determined noticed the change shouldered sense he will do justice to his Plenty of occupation was face and ready truncheon of the the policeman and turned with a companion who for all he can found in keeping the corners older fellow caused them to curse to ask the cause of why he foresee may be his future clear and there were many keep a respectable distance. A had been knocked about like inspector, or even Chief Con- surly glances from the rough few stones were thrown, that. He was somewhat startled stable. young fellows who appeared missing the police and doing when he found the push did not to think they were entitled to damage to the prisoners friend. have its desired effect and that a When they reached the office, Gasping for breath cause an obstruction. This part powerful hand gripped his of the town was infested by a the older part of the crowd had collar. Moyle urged him to resist departed and by the time they The street at 6pm is gang of this stamp called the and not be taken, waving his had disposed of their prisoner usually packed on the “Black Gang”, and many were arms and shouting for and returned, there was very footpaths with millhands the struggles between them assistance. This was at about little sign of anything unusual leaving work. Monday and the police for supremacy, 7.00 pm and the streetlights except a few more women evenings often find plenty of considerable damage being were just lit. The streets were standing about the corners of occupation for the policeman done on both sides. Nothing full of people who quickly the streets where they lived.” as many of the young colliers suited these fellows better thronged around. and drawers - having not when mischievously inclined Now was the time to show ● More tales from the spent all their wages - stay off to come in contact with a what a man was made of. The graveyard shift to follow in the to get rid of the remainder. young constable who did not policeman was an old enemy next edition of Past Forward. Soon comes a call to a vault know them, if only to jeer and with only an inexperienced Dave Tetlow frequented by the rougher insult him. If too much drink recruit to assist him. If his nerve Wigan Heritage Service 23 GOD’S GOOD FRESH AIR HISTORY repeats itself, so says an old 19th when I got there. And so, the name of which, I century proverb. With this, I would say, the that was the plan. learned, was Dangerous Corner. There was a ring of majority of us more mature beings would “You’ve learnt a bit superfluity about this name agree and probably throw in some personal o’sense” as I thought about the experiences to substantiate the statement. almost daily warnings since the advent of my bicycle. Came the Saturday One such instance in my to anyone. The period Mother, whose charge of morning for which I had experience took almost a coincided with that of my any vehicle was limited to a waited impatiently the best generation to materialise procurement of a new succession of bassinets and part of a week. The sight of but the similarities, up to a bicycle - a brand new go-chairs, over a period me wheeling my bike point, are somewhat Raleigh 22inch frame Gents stretching from 1904 to through the backyard gate singular. At the age of 13, in Roadster with all the 1922, had warned me daily was nothing new in our the early 30’s my late, trimmings, Sturmey Archer that ALL corners were house - I could have been youngest brother con- 3-speed hub, Lucas dynamo dangerous. tracted a synovitis knee and headlight etc., etc. It going anywhere. Had I divulged my intention, the which later developed into would be true to say that this bike would have been Alfresco tuberculosis. Alan was the machine was ruling my life confiscated and locked existence youngest member of our at the time and was influencing the most away until - to quote one of family of eight and had not unlikely eventualities like mother’s favourite phrases - The entrance to entirely shed the maternal asking if I could run errands, “yuv learnt a bit o’sense.” Wrightington Hospital was, attentions, mother where previously such an Free of all possible if I remember correctly, just accompanying him at all event would trigger off an shackles I was away, with a short stretch from medical appointments. It attack of profound deafness! not a word to anyone. Up Dangerous Corner, and came as no mean shock Though still without a Station Road, on to Simms though the thought of the following one such clue as to Wrightington’s Lane End (or Lone End), long journey home was appointment when mother geographical location I was then the long climb up to somewhat daunting, I was announced that Alan would struck by an uncontrollable Windy Arbour where I glad to find somewhere to have to go into hospital for urge to cycle there on a day tarried awhile to admire the lean my bike and make my a period of a year or so in between those of stocks, a reminder of entrance into the hospital because of the change in the mother’s visiting days. It harsher times. On through grounds. After a few condition of his knee. would be true to say, Winstanley and Orrell and enquiries I located brother The hospital concerned however, that in the heat of such idyllic sounding names Alan in one of the many beds situated in the open air was in some far off place my new found urge, I had as Roby Mill and Appley which was not all that called Wrightington of tried to get a fix on Bridge. surprising in view of the which I, and I suspect, other W rightington’s spring-like weather. It was, members of the family had geographical location in as Break-neck however, difficult to never heard. The effect was casual a fashion I was able speed comprehend Alan’s remarks immediate and so our little to muster at the time. This during my visit that this brother was taken from our was via a chat with a I distinctly remember alfresco existence was the midst, off to this place friendly miner Jimmy H., a one spot on my travels, in norm! called Wrightington. Many lovable wag in his 40’s who the name of Back (or was it Long after the visit and weeks passed by during was forever seeing leg- Bank?) Brow. Until I indeed as I pedalled my way which visiting was pulling opportunities, which encountered Porlock many back to Garswood, the confined, either by accident made my enquiry, “Hey many years later, this was thought of sleeping out in or design, to mother and Jimmy, hey dust get the steepest road hill I had the open dominated my perhaps one elder sister. t’Wrightington?” somewhat ever seen. To this day, I waking hours. Sometimes This of course meant that I hazardous. His answer was, shudder to contemplate the on the coldest of nights as I had not seen my brother for however, in serious vein. possible consequences of lay in bed with my other late many weeks. “Sithee lad, ah cawnt tell the rapidity of my descent at brother, our feet feeling for thi, bur ah think’n its break-neck speed which, at the the warmest area of the New bicycle sumweer t’other side time, was possibly the greatest heated oven shelf mother Orrell.” That was a start, I thrill of my young life! had caringly placed between But this was about to knew roughly where Orrell A few miles further on I change, and without a word lay and I could always ask came across a road junction, ➯ 24 the sheets, I thought of Alan though the geometry of the one kneecap.” later on?” Without further exposed to the elements. contact was in my favour, My leg splinted, I was thought I answered, “Oh, How could the authorities the collision being stretchered into the yes please”. allow such cruelty? Little broadside on. I was thrown ambulance and driven at did I realize that, 20 years forward, hitting my head on speed to I knew not where, Wicked plan on, I was to find out at first the frame of the windscreen until I was off-loaded at the hand - quite by accident. of my fairly new Austin A40 accident bay of Hospital of I was a fool. With the Devon. In the space of time St. Cross in Rugby. And benefit of hindsight this could 5 NOVEMBER 1952, that happened, both car and there began the most have been a wicked plan to mid-morning, near self had been miserable seven weeks of test out my stamina for what Dunchurch astride the A45, unceremoniously pointed in my life. the following seven weeks 10 miles south of Coventry. the direction from whence had to offer. Shortly after tea, On my fortnightly run we came - transferred Little sign of blood two nurses came in the ward, from my then home south of somehow onto a grass verge one positioned herself at the Birmingham to Vauxhall just a few feet from a Taking my first glance at foot of my bed, the other at Motors Ltd., Luton, Beds., I hawthorn hedge. the outward visible sign of the head. There was a click, encountered the all too the damage, I felt that my effecting a slight elevation of familiar build-up of traffic Excruciating presence there was my bed and I was on my way whose average speed on pain fraudulent. All that could be out of the ward, along a such stretches was more or seen was a horizontal cut, corridor and actually out into less governed by the then One or two of the less than an inch long. There the cold night air which was H.G.V. speed limit of onlookers who gathered was little sign of blood. The being stirred by a fairly 20mph. It is a sobering helped me out of the car inner damage, though, was a steady breeze. On we went, thought that since my which by then, had lost quite little more sinister, having over a grassy slope and marriage to Past Forward, I a bit of its newness. been caused by the sharp eventually parked within a have learned that it was Someone must have phoned end of the window winding Roman Candle’s distance within the realms of for an ambulance which, knob as I was thrown from a huge pyre which was possibility that, heading one thankfully, took little time to forward in the collision - about to succumb to rising of those crocodiles, might arrive. By that time my right seat belts were still several flames, aided and abetted by have been our own Ernie leg had filled most of the years away. The area would the aforementioned night Taberner driving one of his spare room in my trouser have to be X-rayed, the breeze. Queen Mary monsters! leg, though the excruciating wound sutured and I would Suitably attired and pain in my knee had have to stay in bed for at reasonably mobile, there is Passage to subsided somewhat. The least ten days. No operation something childishly oblivion senior ambulanceman (the could be performed until the thrilling about the presence name paramedic hadn’t wound had healed. of a bonfire with all the The government of the been invented) took one My leg re-splinted I was attendant letting off of day, in their wisdom and look at my leg and without put to bed though it was not fireworks, hot potatoes, effort to make full use of as much as a “Do you yet late afternoon. There I treacle toffee etc. No such every square yard of road, mind?” produced a large was left to contemplate on joys filled my mind, devised the idea of dividing pair of scissors from his kit the events of the day. however, as I was left some wider trunk roads into and proceeded to cut, then Dominating my thoughts unattended, dodging the odd three lane, single tear, my trouser leg from was that of how lucky I was shower of sparks, a rip-rap carriageways, a novel idea if bottom to top. As if to to be alive. Had the in free flight etc., as well as not a little suicidal. The appease the effect of his geometry of the collision wrestling with bed covers centre lane was purely for vandalism he prodded very been, say, five or six degrees which were gradually losing overtaking - if, of course gingerly the swelling to the right, the bed I was their fight against the some driver coming the around my knee then lying on would have been gusting wind which in turn other way was not seized announced, “I think you’ve very much harder and was finding its way to my with the same idea which got a broken kneecap, son, considerably colder, and the torso, reducing it to the might provide an instant but we’ll have to see what staff employed would have ambient temperature. Long passage to oblivion for at the doctors say.” Continuing been more concerned with before the stock of least one party! It was under in avuncular fashion, he the problem of which bit fireworks was exhausted I such circumstances that I assured me that life without went where. motioned that it was time to found myself far too rapidly a kneecap was not all that As the light failed, in call a halt to the merriment. approaching a large much of a handicap, thanks came the evening meal Wheeled back to the pantechnicon with very to all the modern medical delivered by a young nurse comparative comfort of my little opportunity of a quick advancements. “In fact”, he who, on arranging the tray ward, to which I was change of mind! went on, “the current wicket etc., enquired, “Would you The inevitable happened, keeper for England only has like to see the fireworks Continued on page 26 25 wall side of the ward so once did she enquire if I was did not lose my kneecap as it GOD’S that the patient’s view was warm enough or was decided to remove the the permanently open comfortable. My question of splinters, file the rough GOOD FRESH framed, glass doors. how such conditions were edges to a presentable curve AIR Although these were supposed to help matters and stitch things back again. ––––– intended to slide shut, no went unanswered. It was As before, however, I Continued from page 25 one without the express nice to see her go. received no relief from these permission of the hospital near Belsen conditions, becoming just a little board was allowed to do so. Blood clot exacerbated therefrom until attached, my bed was re- The novelty of suffering my discharge by a arranged and I was plied from exposure was short- Before the 10 or 12 days particularly cold spell with a cup of cocoa. Some lived, though, for the first of healing of my wound was including one day of time later I was approached couple of days were bearably up, I started to run up a very incessant snow storms by a different officer mild. The nights, which were high temperature which was driven by tooth chattering (probably the bed officer) virtually sleepless, became a causing some concern. winds that found their way constant battle against who sat by my bed, ran her Investigations revealed a to every conceivable part of petrification. finger down a list on a clip- blood clot (a chemical clot it the body. In some strange On one particularly board and announced, “Oh was called) caused by way, one got inured to the horrid day when the wind yes....tomorrow morning whatever it was that was conditions which, I learned brought with it some nasty you will be transferred to injected before suturing. later, were a legacy of when sleet and rain, the slope of the main ward - The Sun This meant an operation to the ward was actually used the fall covered half the Pavillion.” There was an air remove the clot. as a T.B. ward. It was then width of the wooden floor of of incongruity about the last On return to the ward I “discovered” that such the ward with a deep film of phrase, bearing in mind the was deprived still further of conditions were helpful in water. This condition month in question and the the defence against the the knitting of broken claimed one victim in the fact that, up to then, the 5th, arctic gales blowing freely bones. form of a patient returning an unannounced total into the ward and all areas On the morning of to his bed after having a eclipse lasting about four within the sheets that were Christmas Eve I was taken rubber heel fitted to his half days had descended. supposed to afford warmth. to the plaster room where plastered leg. Whether the But the lady was true to To avoid contact with the my plaster was fashioned in poor chap’s accident tipped her word. Immediately after affected area there was now such a way as to be easily the scales, I cannot say but breakfast on the following a cage, rather like a removable for leg exercise. shortly afterwards, I took it morning she came again to miniature Nissan hut, There it was announced that upon myself to get out of witness my transfer to the cancelling out any I could be allowed home bed, cross the floor and, Sun Pavillion. Wheeled possibility of insulation from where I could visit a with a little difficulty, close once again down the against the elements, placed local hospital for the sliding door. aforementioned corridor I over my leg. subsequent treatment. was amazed that what I The writing of a letter or And there ended the saga thought was the great Act of vandalism even reading was a process of Hospital of St. Cross. A outdoors the night before of instalment, broken into stone and a half lighter and was actually part of my new It was a grave mistake - short periods of just how having notched up no more digs for the duration of my the ward sister having long one could survive the than about six hours sleep stay. I immediately decided witnessed my act of intense cold on one’s arms during my seven weeks the Sun Pavillion was vandalism. The result was a and hands. On occasion a incarceration, I went home nothing more salubrious ticking off, but it didn’t end trolley would be wheeled to the strangest than a large verandah, open there. The following into the ward, tended by Christmastide I can ever to the elements in all their morning after breakfast the rehabilitation personnel. I remember! moods. same ward sister attended would imagine that in the P.S. On the 40th my bedside , dragging along summer months the idea of anniversary of the event, I “Pavillioned in with her none other than the offering the opportunity of wrote to Hospital of St. splendour” hospital matron - an trying out one of the many Cross in similar vein to the Amazon, in her official crafts on offer was quite above account. They Contrary to Hymn 167 regalia, to add a little drama sound. In the subject period, thought it was hilarious and (A. & M.) it was patently to the proceedings. however, it was a non-starter. asked my permission to evident that I was NOT Mounting her imaginary include the article in going to be “pavillioned in podium she proceeded to Near Belsen their monthly magazine, splendour”. Neither was the read me the Riot Act which, conditions Update. Hospital of St. Cross to be in essence, was a long- girded with praise. All 12 or winded dissertation about Eventually the day of my J.H. Smith 14 beds were placed on the breaking hospital rules. Not second operation dawned. I Sutton Coldfield 26 Coal Fires and Loved Faces Memories of an Ince childhood

DO you remember when you your favourite? Mr. Whippy, or weeper, chimney-sweeper”, and nights? And when fog hung low were seven? It was the summer Ferretti’s who sold threepenny “Polly in the kitchen, doin’ a bit in eerily-silent terraced rows, of 1960, and five weeks’ school iced lollies in pink or green, with o’ stitchin’, in comes a bogey- and the lighted window of the holiday stretched endlessly their tops dipped in chocolate, man and knocks Polly out”! corner-shop shone out like a before you, with the promise of which gave a satisfying crack as beacon, and noses were pressed sparkling mornings, golden you bit it? And you chanted - to glass as you chose penny afternoons and warm summer wait for it ...... “What could be Coronation Street arrows or halfpenny “chix”, nights. Do you remember taking nicer than a Pendleton’s Twicer - cherry-lips, pear-drops or cough- a picnic to Ince Park - a brown ice-cream with a lolly each end!” And, as the evenings grew candy? paper carrier bag containing jam- (You’d forgotten that, hadn’t chilly and the nights drew in, Laughing, carefree child- butties and pop? Down past the you?!) didn’t you help us drag branches hood days when you were busy rhododendron bushes and ornate Walking-days, when people across the back field for our making memories, but thought green wrought-iron seats, to the sat gossiping on chairs in Ince bonfire, and stand with us under you were just playing. And now, playground, where else? A Green Lane long before the the gas-lamp with our Guy- forty years on, when the corner- woman who was a child still, banners appeared, and men came Fawkes with his grinning pink shops are gone and the gas- was there, always, on the swings. out of the Long-Neck, beer in cardboard face? Remember going lamps extinguished, when And the crumbling old toilets, hand, to watch the procession. with your mum to jumble-sales at walking-days are just a shadowy under overhanging People running into the road to the Ince Central School and St. disruption to impatient drivers trees, evil-smelling, silent and give children threepenny-bits William’s Parochial Hall? instead of a procession of menacing, where fear lived, and and sixpences as the sun melted Always at 6.30 on winter witness to be enjoyed, when children scared each other with the tar and new white sandals evenings, so you got home just in children’s hands hold mobile tales of bad men. The “Please stuck to the road, and older time to watch “Take Your Pick” in phones instead of skipping- keep off the Grass” notices, and sisters sported bee-hive hairdos, black and white, and the new ropes, and coal-fires and loved the “Parky”, who made sure you stiletto heels and sticky-out serial, “Coronation Street”, where faces are no more, wouldn’t you obeyed. dresses supported by net the people were just like us. love to go back for just another Do you remember Can-Row underskirts - a special day when Do you recall when we went glimpse of your world when you Brook, where you fished for bands played and Aunties came carol-singing or playing tap- were seven? tiddlers and took them home in to watch the “scholars” and you latch on the cobbles in Pickup Irene Roberts jam-jars? And why did had boiled ham, lettuce and Street and Bird Street on frosty Abram, Nr. Wigan sixpennyworth of hot, golden tomatoes, and jelly-and-custard chips taste better out of for your tea. The same chairs and newspaper from Maggie Scott’s the same people were there for or Blinkhorn’s chippy than they the carnival, and on the day BOB DOBSON ever did off a plate? Or perhaps when we cheered until we were you ran to Cain’s in Belle Green hoarse as a double-decker bus Publisher and Book Dealer Lane, trying to decide between a carried our rugby team round the mouthwatering hot potato pie or streets as they came home, a chocolate eclair, as you triumphant in cherry-and-white, LANCASHIRE gradually shuffled round in the from Wembley. queue - a decision which reached YORKSHIRE & CHESHIRE agonising proportions when it was YOU NEXT! Days when “Old Mother at you had all the time in the world Hindley Fair . . .” I buy, sell and search for second-hand to “follow-my-leader”, stepping books relating to these counties: I search over cracked flags to avoid bad Did you ever organise a luck, and doing intricate footwork May-Queen in someone’s for books: I issue lists. I buy quantities of on hopscotch squares chalked on backyard, with mum’s old net other books. the flags, avoiding newly- curtain and a cardboard crown, mopped and donkeystoned front and sally forth through Ince steps. And why was the hated streets with a little retinue in school-playground suddenly so fancy-dress, collecting pennies LIST OF MY NEW PUBLICATIONS enticing when you weren’t on a warm spring day? I think ON REQUEST supposed to be in it? you played two-ball on our gable-end didn’t you? - I’m sure “What could be it was you - dexterously catching BOB DOBSON nicer . . .” the ball, throwing it up in the air and under your leg as you “Acorns” If you listen carefully, can chanted “Old Mother at Hindley 3 STAINING RISE you still hear the ice-cream man Fair, get some papers to curl my STAINING playing “Greensleeves” on a hair”. And wasn’t it you just baking hot afternoon, the sound behind me as we waited our turn BLACKPOOL FY3 0BU rising and falling as he meanders to jump in the rope being twirled Tel: (01253) 895678 round the streets? Which was by two girls, singing “Eeper 27 Aspull & Haigh Historical Funeral practices from near and far, Society SOCIETY NEWS from past and present. Meetings are held in Our Lady’s R.C. 19 April Church Hall, Haigh Road, Aspull on the More of God’s Wonderful Railway second Thursday in the month at 7.30 22 January Stan Smith p.m. Further details from the Secretary, The West Highland Way An illustrated talk about the Great Western Mrs. Rosalie Naylor, 3 Pennington D. Cookson Railway holiday lines in South Devon. Close, Aspull, Wigan (01942 256145). 29 January 14 December The Bayeux Tapestry Wigan Archaeological Society Christmas Party. Fred Holcroft The Society meets at the BP Centre 5 February (Scout HQ) in Greenhough Street on Billinge Local History Society Crown Prosecution Service the first Wednesday of the month at For further details contact Roger Hart, P. W a tson 7.30 p.m. Entrance is only £1. 12 February 57 Windsor Road, Billinge, Wigan. WN5 6 December Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder 7LD (01744 892915). Ramases the Great and his Forts in the Miss A. Brown West 19 February Golborne & Lowton Local Dr. S. Snape Scandinavian Delights History Society 3 February Founded in 1984 the society now has an G. Cooke 26 February Historical Angers (also AGM) average monthly attendance of over 20. Tom Glover Meetings are held at Golborne Library Annual Dinner on the second Tuesday of the month at Wigan Civic Trust 7.00 p.m. Non-members are welcome. Leigh Local History Society Meetings are held in the Derby Room, The Trust meets at 7.30 p.m. on the Further details from Ron Marsh, P.R. second Monday of the month at Officer (01942 726027). Leigh Library, on the last Wednesday of the month. For further details contact the Drumcroon Arts Centre, Parsons Walk, Wigan. For further information contact Leigh & District Family History Secretary, Mrs. Norma Ackers (01942 865488). Anthony Grimshaw, Secretary (01942 Society 245777). New members are always Meetings are held on the third Tuesday welcome. of every month in the Derby Room of Tyldesley & District Historical Leigh Library. For further details contact Society 11 December the Secretary, Mrs. O. Hughes (01942 Meetings are held on the third Tuesday Annual Dinner 741594). of every month from September to May 8 January 16 January at the Tyldesley Pensioners Club on The Wigan War Memorial - an illustrated Members’ Evening Milk Street at 7.30 p.m. We do not talk 20 February charge an entrance fee although Fred Holcroft AGM voluntary contributions are always 12 February 20 March welcome. Refreshments available. Agenda 21 - an update on progress to Preserving the County’s Written Everyone is welcome, so come along, date in Wigan Heritage drag yourself away from the telly and Janet Withington have an informative and cheap night Lancashire Record Office 12 March 17 April out. Contact the Secretary (01942 514271 or [email protected].) Victorian Wigan Murders Subject to be announced James Fairhurst Dan Muir Visit our web site at www.arnw02593.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk 9 April The Life and Times of L.S. Lowry - an Leigh Literary Society 21 December illustrated talk Meetings are held in the Derby Room, English Christmas Traditions Geoffrey Shryhane Leigh Library, on Mondays at 7.30 p.m. Fred Holcroft Subscription £11. Visitors £1.50. When and where did those traditional Wigan Family & Local History President Mrs. H. Gaskell (01942 celebrations begin? Society 605685) 18 January Meetings are held on the first 27 November A History of Manchester Cathedral (workshops), and third (speakers) The Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal M. Richards Tuesday of the month at the Mrs. M. Fletcher The fascinating history of the medieval Springfield Hotel, Springfield Road, 4 December Collegiate Church which gained Wigan, at 7.30 p.m. For further Christmas Evening - A Lancashire cathedral status in 1847. information contact Mrs. Lynne Entertainment 15 February Kearns, 28 Wareing Street, Tyldesley, Mr. & Mrs. Starkey and Mr. & Mrs. Votes for Women Manchester M29 8HS (01942 878549 Darlington Maureen Gilbertson evenings/weekends). 8 January The story of the important role of local 5 December The Persian Gulf and the Red Sea mill girls in the struggle for women’s Open meeting N.L. Brown suffrage. 19 December 15 January 15 March Early Settlement of Lancashire Manchester Cathedral Funeral Customs (followed by Christmas buffet) G. Robinson Tony Ashcroft Fred Holcroft 28 THE OLD RUMOUR Dear Sir, In the summer edition of Past Forward my old friend Jim Fairhurst repeats the old rumour that the “Battle of Enfield Street” was caused by the Pemberton Colliery “winding coal”. This was a strong union pit and during the General Strike it did not cut, level or wind Ince Boys’ Brigade at coal. A few years ago I was told by the late George Camp, Arnside 1929 Ashurst, formerly safety officer with the N.C.B., that Dear Alastair, Should you see fit to publish the union had agreed to the I wonder whether you would have these, I would be delighted to hear colliery officials going an interest in the enclosed photographs from any surviving member - now in underground to feed and for publication in Past Forward? their 80’s - or similarly from their look after the 200 pit ponies They show Ince Boys Brigade at children who could put names to stabled underground. camp at Arnside in 1929 and Arnsdale faces for me. There was a picket and a in 1931. The large photograph is The phonograph is a period piece large crowd at the colliery c.1929 judging by the appearance of don’t you think? gates to prevent coal my father Jack Cain who is second Neil Cain merchants buying coal from from left in the band quartet (with 26 Sheridan Terrace the pithead stocks. My late bugle), and third from right in the Whitton Avenue West uncle Thomas Holcroft was second row on the big photograph. The Northolt there. When the headgear age seems very similar to me. Middlesex UB5 4JS wheels were seen turning a silly woman in the crowd shouted “they’re winding coal”. The crowd surged forward and the rest is history. Fred Holcroft 54 Pemberton Road Winstanley Wigan WN3 6DA MISSING MILL GIRL My great grandmother Margaret. knocked down? Hindley, Wigan, won the top Margaret Beesley (power My great grandmother HELP! Yours in hope. award at the Fylde Folk Doreen Elcox loom weaver) was born in Margaret died in 1897, Dear Editor, Festival Dialect Competition Haigh in 1856. She later My Abbott ancestors 56 Cansdowne Grdns on Sunday 3 September. He aged 40, at Taylors Yard, Jesmond moved with her parents were found in Crow Lane, entered a poem entitled off Caroline Street, Wigan Newcastle-upon-Tyne “Memories of Agincourt”. I Richard and Mary Ann to Dalton, near Wigan in the but up to now I have been 1841 census and were still NE2 1HH will be presenting him with Ince-in-Makerfield. unable to trace the family there on the 1891 census. the Samuel Laycock Trophy Margaret had two children in the 1891 census. Some worked at the Crisp on 25 September. before her marriage, Delf quarry and one was a I wonder if any of A nice story has come William James Beesley in farmer there at Welshman from this. Mr. Barnes has just 1876 and John Thomas your readers has any Heys. The lane was highly Thank You married last year’s winner, information of this family populated in the 19th century. Dear Editor, Sheila Mellor, also from (Jack) Beesley, my Today Crow Lane is in or their descendents. Thank you for you Hindley! grandfather in 1881. open country with little more Thanking you once again. In 1882 Margaret than a couple of cottages at kindness for the inclusion of Margaret Hegan information regarding the Derek Stanton married William Crook(s); one end. Lancashire Dialect Society 67 Chester Road Does anyone have prints Lancashire Dialect Society in both were living in Wigan Past Forward. I really 30 Thirlmere Drive at the time of the marriage, Stevenage or photos of the lane in the Withnell 1800’s? Or of Crisp Delf appreciate your help. and they went on to have Herts SG1 4JY Chorley quarry or Welshman Heys It may be of some interest PR6 8AY three more children, Tel: 01438 233687 farm? to you that Mr. J. Barnes of Tel: 01254 830776 Alfred, Annie and [email protected] When was the housing 122 Bridgewater Street, [email protected] 29 Dear Mr. Gillies, housed at that time in Rectory to Mr. Whitehouse, Salcombe. She was in fact the You may be interested to redundant, wooden Army our former Headmaster, but Miss Derbyshire, our reproduce in Past Forward huts. The situation changed in he was not recognised, scholarship year teacher, now the attached photograph of 1935, the Silver Jubilee year possibly because in previous in her 90th year. I was able to Form 4B, Wigan Grammar when the new Grammar encounters Mr. Whitehouse put them in touch with each School, 1933/34. For School was opened by Oliver had only viewed his posterior other. May I explain that identification purposes I am Stanley, the Minister of as he administered six of the anyone reading the tone of fourth from the left on the Education. best for behaviour these letters will surely middle row. The photo You will be interested to infringement! acknowledge the therapeutic Hindley includes the familiar faces of know that as a result of my Two other contacts are value of Past Forward. people like Freddie Holmes, item in Past Forward I have worth mentioning. I was Finally, I am left with Teddy McEvoy, Eric Hewitt made many interesting pleased to receive a letter one regret, I have still not Subscription etc. Of special mention on the contacts. For example, I have from Robert Ramsdale who made any contact with the back row is Alan Harvey who had extended correspondence was one of the four who Tyrer family, but the search Brass Band safely negotiated school with with the Revd. Roger Taylor passed the scholarship from continues. only one arm - the science of of Lindsey near Ipswich who Warrington Lane School in J.H. Ollerton 1936 prosthetics was largely was a school friend at Wigan 1932. This was after I had 9 Fairfield Park undeveloped then. Grammar School. He wrote received a surprising letter Broadstairs (not 1913) Forms 3 and 4 were about serving tea in the from a Mrs. Hitchen in CT10 2JT Dear Mr. Gillies, I was born in Delegarte Street, Ince and brought up Wigan Grammar School – Form 4B 1933-34 in Platt Bridge. I met my future husband Danny at Form Master Mr. Thompson Haydock Racecourse, where he was serving as a Military Policeman; between 1944 and 1946, he served in France. We married in 1946, at Holy Family Church, Platt Bridge, and went to live in the U.S.A. in 1947. Sadly my husband passed away on 23 May 2000, after 54 wonderful years together, but I have two fine sons, Daniel and William, and two equally fine grandchildren. I am also very proud of the fact that my son Dan is a past Mayor of Berkeley Height, New Jersey. On a recent visit to Wigan, I saw a photograph of the Hindley Subscription Brass Band, in the Around Hindley and Abram book. I knew immediately that some of the information elsewhere, both in the U.K. given was wrong because and abroad. I am an avid Does anyone know anyone my father Tommy Taylor reader of your excellent was standing there in the magazine Past Forward, middle row. The photograph which helps me keep in on this photograph? was taken in 1936 and not touch with things “back It’s Abram C.E. Colliery Mixed & Infant School, 1900 or 1909. We are hoping a relative is on the 1913 as stated. Below are home”. I have used the photo Taylor - Hill - or Tighe. Any information appreciated. C. Taylor (01942 682700) the names of the other facilities in the History members of the Band. Shop, (including the very Hindley Subscription kind and helpful staff) on Prize Band 1936. many occasions, to assist in Bass Drum, Peter tracing my family tree. One Catterall. Back Row: Fred rather unusual event occurred Whittle, Jack Howe, Danny during my recent visit - I Battersby, George Dale, managed through my good Jack Battersby, Jack Wilks, friend Barbara Davis, to Jack Green. Middle Row: make contact with a Mr. Jem Howe, Tommy Taylor, Gordon Urmston of Wigan, a Tommy Smalley, Bill relation through a shared Buckley, Dick Tollitt, Bill great, great, grandfather. Smalley, Front Row: Harry Strange to say Barbara and Sutton, Danny Eaton, Dick Gordon’s first wife had Liptrot, Arthur Cooper, trained together as nurses at Richard Wayne, Fred Mort, Wigan Infirmary and Gordon Albert Dawson. had also worked there. I still have many friends Marion Palladino and relations living in and New Jersey around Wigan and U.S.A. 30 PATRIOTIC APOLOGIES: The correspondence re the Prince’s Cinema, Wigan, still goes on! Mrs. Roby has pointed out that the opening of the cinema was on 29 POEM October 1934 and not 1935 as stated in Mr. Fairhurst’s letter in Past Forward 25, p30. ABOUT Ð Mr. Fairhurst is also due an apology, however. Unfortunately, 20 years INCE were inadvertently added on to the life of Tom Pey (see Past Forward 25, Dear Editor, p6). The final sentence in the article should have read, “Mr. Pey died in This fabulous locally patriotic poem about Ince has been 1952, aged 73”. placed in various Wigan newspapers periodically, having been forwarded by one, Mr. Stanley Turner, (Taylors Lane, Ince) and by an Ambleside Incer, Mr. Jack McCann, some ‘INCE ALL BLACKS’ 1917-19 years ago. Mr. McCann believed that “The Beauty of Ince” Dear Sirs, Any reader who can add to the story of “Ince was written by an un-named ‘Can Row’ gentleman author I hope you can publish this photograph of All Blacks”, 1917-1919, please contact me. and that the poem was printed on an Ince census cover yesteryear. Perhaps some of your readers may rec- Sadly Billy died in 1981 aged 80 years. He originally around 1940! My wife Elsie believes that people ognise some of the players, or be related to them. was 19 when the photo was taken. paid 1s. years ago for a specially printed version of this My dad Billy Lees (pictured first player from J. Lees poem. As Jack Mcann told us in 1990, “The Beauty of the right, front row) was a St. Patrick’s lad. Most 49 Sherwood Drive Ince” would be gratefully received as a Christmas present! of them were miners. I wonder who the little boy Wigan WN5 9QX Kenneth Lucas was (left front row)? Tel: 01942 223496 80 Park Road, Hindley Wigan WN2 3RX

Mr. Lucas recalls his dancing days on p9 Ed. THE BEAUTY OF INCE Folks have talked in praise of Blackpool And of Rhyl and Colwyn Bay Of Southport and of Morecambe Whilst lots of folk who say That the Ise of Man is nicest ‘Cos there’s such a lot of sea But Ince my dear old birthplace Is by far the best to me. Ince has got a perfect climate Suitable for young and old For in summer we’ve got warm weather While in winter time we’ve cold. As for air that’s soft and balmy There’s no better to be found Than the air that’s wafted over What happened to Priscilla and From the refuse tipping ground. We’ve beauty and a splendour Sarah Fearn? That beats Switzerland to bits Dear Editor, to Hindley/Wigan to search readers had Priscilla or Sarah Where the Leeds and Liverpool canal I have been researching for his lost sisters, but found in their family tree. Flows by the Rose Bridge pits my family history and no trace of them. James knew This is a very personal And although we have no mountains wonder if any of your readers that they had been adopted in search for me, as I believe that Yet there’s one thing we can claim could help me to solve a local the Wigan area, but had no Priscilla may have been my We’ve a great majestic slag tip mystery. details of the families who grandmother, who died At the top of Belle Green Lane. In 1902, Sarah Fearn had taken them in. giving birth to my mother at We haven’t any promenade died in childbirth in Hindley. Descendents of this line of the age of 28 in 1930, but Or gardens like Belle Vue She left a husband, Joseph the family know of the lost about whom we know very But we have a nice few dirt tips William Fern, a coal miner, family members, but have little. I am desperate to try to And a colliery or two and three small children never been able to find any prove or dis-prove a link. Any While there’s nothing I like better James (1902), Priscilla trace of them. help that your readers could than to sit down with a book (1904) and the new baby, I am trying to find out give me would be gratefully ‘Neath the shade of might oaks and elms Sarah (named after her what happened to Priscilla received. On the banks of Carrow Brook. mother), 1904. The Fearn and Sarah Fearn after 1904. Janet E. Ward (Mrs.) I have oft times in the morning family had lived in Aspull Were they adopted by one of 7 Heatherdene To the singing of the lark and Hindley for about 30 their aunts or uncles (the Tadcaster Walked across Amberswood Common years, but they actually came Rayner family)? It would be North Yorkshire And around Walmesley Park. from Macclesfield. Joseph’s marvellous if one of your LS24 8EZ I’ve spent many happy mornings wife Sarah was a Rayner. She With this singing overhead was one of about 10 children, Published by Wigan Heritage Service, Leisure Services But I now find early mornings the younger ones having been Department, Market Suite, The Galleries, Wigan WN1 1PX. Are much nicer spent in bed. born in Aspull, the older ones The views expressed in this issue are not necessarily I love to see the Common in Patricroft, Salford. supported by Wigan Council, or by its Cultural Services Panel. Where the dandelions grow Although I struggled to Nothing printed may be construed as policy or an official Where the buttercups and daisies nod find out what had happened announcement unless so stated. When the gentle breezes blow to the family, I eventually Neither Wigan Council, nor the Editor, accept liability for any Where the dashing hares and rabbits discovered that Joseph matter in this publication. William moved after his Try to dodge the sportsman’s gun Contributions are welcome but no responsibility can be taken Where the cows roam in the meadow wife’s death to Salford, for loss or damage to contributors’ material. And Jane Green’s donkeys run. Manchester, with his son Yes, the Common is of interest James. The two girls didn’t Though it smells of rag and bones go with them, but were For it’s wonderful to watch them adopted, somewhere in Carving out the rubbing stones Wigan. James William later And ‘tis here that happy children re-married, and died in From all corners of the land Salford in 1927. © Wigan Council In the 1970’s, shortly Play with unrestricted freedom November 2000 With rubbing stones and sand. before he died, James came 31