ISSUE No. 23 AUTUMN/WINTER 1999 The Newsletter of Wigan Heritage Service FREE From the Editor Bah Humbug! NewsNews So here it is - the last Past Forward of 1999.....and the It’s a Dickens of a job picking that century.....and the Millennium! fromfrom thethe In comparison a decade does perfect Christmas gift, so try the not seem long, but in that time History Shop’s range for Christmas Past Forward has proved to be ‘99. Our pewter selection for this Archives an outstanding success. Archives Letters in this special issue year includes pin cushions, once again bear eloquent pomanders, miniature clocks in art AS SOME of our regular visitors testimony to its popularity, deco, art nouveau and Egyptian will know our Archivist Nicholas value and influence. Nearly 10 style, and irresistible miniature Webb moved on a couple of years ago no one could have months ago. As a result the usual begun to predict its success pewter replicas of Victorian and roundup of donations and new not just locally but nationally Edwardian pull-a-long toys. We acquisitions to the archive and even internationally. My have a wide range of traditional collection does not appear this thanks to all contributors, wooden toys, from stocking fillers (many of whom have done so time. regularly almost from day one), such as skipping ropes and pick-up- Over the past months we have designers and printers, and sticks to automated wooden money tried to maintain the service from Heritage Service staff - all far boxes. For something out of the the Archive search room. Thanks too many to mention - who ordinary how about a replica go to our staff Dave and Steph, and have played a part in this to our colleague from the achievement. classical sleeping lion sculpture, or Education Department, Linda Sadly, one such regular a delicate dandelion paperweight? Mogg for keeping the service contributor, Archivist Nicholas To celebrate the Millennium we Webb, has written his last going. article for Past Forward. After have commissioned a woven At the time of going to press 14 years of splendid service, calendar with a view of All Saints we are pleased to announce the Nicholas has decided to move Church, available in a green or recruitment of a new Heritage on, into the private sector, and cream mount; its a perfect keepsake Officer (Archives) Joanne Revill. a post in Barclays Bank. A Joanne comes from Wrexham and warm welcome to his and is ideal for posting to friends and has recently completed her successor, Joanne Revill, who relatives at home or abroad. We only Archive Administration training at I’m sure will be continuing the have limited numbers so be sure to tradition of News from the the Liverpool University Centre Archives. get one before stocks run out. for Archive Studies. We would I am confident that Past like to welcome her to Wigan and Forward will continue to go wish her every success in her new from strength to strength in the post next Millennium - a momentous event which Nicholas was, of course, a Wigan Heritage Service is regular contributor to Past certainly doing its bit to Forward, and by way of final commemorate. Full details of farewell to him the remainder of the History Shop’s exciting new the News from the Archives section People’s Show, for example, will feature the Roy Cafe, the last can be found on p16. I myself, article submitted by him for the in my new role of Millennium Festival Co-ordinator, have magazine. (See page opposite). been putting together an exciting package of events, beginning around Easter 2000, based on the Parish Map, A HERITAGE which is definitely heading for Guinness Book of Records PHOTOGRAPH proportions - full details in the FOR next Past Forward. As Christmas rapidly CHRISTMAS approaches, don’t forget the Many readers rely on the History Shop for that special Heritage Service’s splendid Christmas - or Millennium - gift. Although it seems strange as I photographic collection for write this in mid-October, may Christmas presents - I take this opportunity to be one photographs can be of the first to wish all readers supplied in various sizes, of Past Forward, near and far, framed or unframed, at a Very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year, competitive prices. To Century.....and Millennium. avoid disappointment due to the Christmas rush, All comments and however, please make sure correspondence should that your order is placed no be addressed to: later than the beginning of Editor, ‘Past Forward’, Actual size: 140mm x 283mm December. Wigan Heritage Service, Market Suite, The Galleries, Cover: Staff of The Roy Cafe, Wigan, assembled outside the cafe on the occasion of the Wigan WN1 1PX Coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, 1937. (See article on opposite page). 2 THIS is the last contribution *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ *+*+*+*+*+ to Past Forward made by Nicholas Webb (written under his latest pseudonym!) before A LOST EATING HOUSE: his departure for pastures new (see page opposite). THE fast food chains and greasy spoon cafes are now such an The Roy Cafe accepted feature of our towns that *+*+*+*+*+ it must be difficult for younger *+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+*+ readers to imagine life without them. But at one time there was a range of pleasant tea rooms and restaurants in every English town where one could relax after business or shopping, take a fair companion for a cosy chat, or celebrate a minor occasion in reasonably civilised surroundings. Older Wiganers who regret the passing of these establishments where one could order a pot of tea or a hot lunch, and be served by charming waitresses in frilly aprons, may remember The Roy Cafe, illustrated here. This was situated at the corner of Marsden Street and Hope Street, overlooking Market Square. The proprietors were originally Richard and J.R. Gorner, whose entry in the 1938 Directory of Wigan advertised ‘luncheons, teas, suppers, wedding parties etc.... open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.’ The interior photograph of The Roy puts one in mind of the Kardomah Cafes which The Roy Cafe decorated for the Coronation in 1937. To the left is ‘The Creche’, a featured in films of the period, baby clothes shop in Marsden Street. notably David Lean’s Brief Encounter (1944) based on Noel Coward’s play Still Life, as the scene of the first tryst between Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson. The Gorner family seems to have started catering in this way during the early 1900’s. Jacob Gorner’s dining rooms at 17 Market Arcade were advertised from at least 1909 onwards. The business was entered under Richard’s name in the 1920’s, and from the 1950’s was described as a cafe; at least one regular user of Wigan Archives Service has recalled his nostalgic affection for Gorner’s cafe in ‘The Little Arcade’ which existed there until the early 1970’s. The Roy Cafe, meanwhile, changed hands in the late ‘50’s but continued to operate under that name until about 1962. The whole area was demolished in the 1980’s to make way for The Galleries. These photographs, which prompted the article, were kindly donated by Mr. Hulme from the Isle of Man. Interior. The view from the windows took in the Market Hall and Square (now ‘Old Parchment’ occupied by The Galleries) and Conroy Brothers’ wholesale fruit business. 3 This fascinating article on the development of Ince from early times has been submitted by Past Forward reader Neil Cain IT HAPPENED IN INCE EVERY August in my went on there, how had it grown Road). Could this be the derivation around Top Lock and down to what childhood years my parents from its original state and how had of Higher and Lower Ince? The are now called Rabbit Rocks. and I left home in West a sense of community developed? Higher Lane became the turnpike As the early years of the 19th London to visit my Ten years later I sit here hoping to and hence Ince Bar was just that - century dawned so came the one grandfather in Holt Street, share with Past Forward readers the payment barrier where single element that was to set Ince Ince. Grandfather Cain had some of my findings and maybe a travellers paid to undertake the on the course that would change feeling of a by-gone age. next stage along the road. the face of the area beyond been born in Caroline Street, During the period from 1754 to recognition. The Ince that readers behind Manchester Road, just How did Ince get its name? 1757 extensive drainage and remember had been born - the before Christmas 1883, and on repairs were undertaken to midwife was the Leeds and his mother’s side claimed an Consider Ince Brook and the Mosses of Ince. No great leap of improve the roads in Ince. The Ince Liverpool Canal. association with Ince going imagination then to accept that rate books show the workmen were back to the 18th century. prior to modern drainage Ince was granted 1s.6d. (7 1/2p) to spend on Cannel to the Canal Grandfather died in 1966, very marshy. One theory is that Saturday nights, guess how? Ale Take a walk up the canal from having lived his entire life Ince derived its name from the was an all important element in Rose Bridge towards Top Lock and within a mile of his birthplace, Saxon word “Innius” meaning life. Once again the rate books you will see, in a number of the and was known to a number land by the water. Another theory show that in 1754/55 the Overseer locks, masonry with the date stamp of readers of Past Forward as is that it was derived from the for the Poor spent “fourpence for 1816.