Wigan Local History & Heritage Society
Wigan’s rich history and heritage ... waiting to be uncovered!
funded and administered by Wigan Building Preservation Trust on behalf of the Society
Wigan & Leigh Archives
Resources available and News at the Archives
The Wigan Archives Service has well over 500,000 documents, photographs, maps and historic books in our collections. See more ...,
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A Searchable Reference List Of Documents, Books and Collections that are held by Archives.
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Want a taster of Past Forward? We've got dozens of past issues of the magazine for you to read - covering dozens of different and interesting subjects from across the borough.
Read More"The King Street Story"
"The Street That Was" - King Street Heritage Action Zone
Wigan Local History & Heritage Society are very proud to be invited to contribute to the King Street Heritage Zone project.
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The Heritage Action Zone covers the area around King Street. It is packed with important historical buildings, there are already 10 listed buildings in the zone and at least another 20 that are historically important.
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The Society believes it is important to identify the "Lost Buildings" of the Street to evoke the memories and the contribution of these buildings to the rich history and heritage of Wigan.
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Dedicated to the people who built, lived, worked and worshipped in the street since it was established in the 1780's
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The project includes the renovation of this historic building
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A snapshot of the Street developed from the 1849 Ordnance Survey map.
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Photo and drone presentation of King Street buildings welcoming the forthcoming improvements by Simon Radcliffe and Ian Tranter
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Links to the Heritage Action Zone website to record your comments and views.
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Take a look here to see what we have planned.
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Articles
A collection of historical articles, and reminiscences of Wigan
The Great War history of 1/5th Battalion Manchester Regiment (Wigan Territorial Force) 1914-1919 by Graham Taylor
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A "friends group" created to protect and renovate the chimney, one of only four structures left in this country.
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A visit by Derek Winstanley to the church where he worshipped as a boy and recalling its association with the local mining community.
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Research into the Wigan Wallgate Station War Memorial that once was on display in the Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway loco sheds in Prescott Street, Wigan. By Graham Taylor
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An article by Dr. Stephen Craig-Smith.
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A history of the family and the business from Paul Macfarlane and Andy Lomax.
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Article by Andy Lomax on the life of Humphrey Walmesley.
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A critique of author George Orwell and his book "The Road to Wigan Pier, by Tom Walsh.
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The use of maps as an aid to historical and family history research. The history of the Ordnance Survey and a look at Wigan on a 1951 OS map. By Graham Taylor.
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The story of two friends from Wallgate who were to meet up again in WW1. One was to survive, the other died on active service but left behind a famous sporting dynasty. By Graham Taylor.
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A detailed look at the reasons for the election riots in Wigan in May 1831, the backgrounds of the characters involved and the consequences for the perpetrators of the ensuing violence. By Graham Taylor.
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The origins of the Wigan Volunteer Light Horse during the early part of the 19th century, and its evolution over the next 200 years to the Army’s modern day successor, still based in Wigan, the Queens Own Yeomanry. By Graham Taylor.
Read MoreResources
Material that could assist in the research and appreciation of the history and heritage of Wigan.
Find graves at Wigan, Gidlow, Hindley, Ince and Westwood Cemeteries, with kind permission of wiganworld
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An exceptional collection of photos, history and memories of Wigan
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Wigan Building Preservation Trust (WBPT) - All the Listed Buildings within Wigan Council area, including non-listed buildings that are of historical and architectural interest.
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A collection of articles and resources relating to the history of the Hall, the people and the wider estate of Haigh
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Films, videos and presentations on Wigan from 1900 to the present day. Enjoy!
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Although Derek has lived in Illinois, USA, for 40 years, he returns to Wigan nearly every year and has written extensively on local history.
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Some cameo pieces by one of our members - Images courtesy of Wigan Archives
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Recollections and memories of growing up in Wigan in the 1950s & 1960s.
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Graham Taylor specialises in military history, telling the stories of local regiments, the soldiers that served in them, and of their families and communities from the early 19th century to modern day. Also topics of local interest including heritage buildings, establishments and individuals.
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Stories and presentations from Jim who is a retired civil servant with an interest in local and family history, as well as archaeology.
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We are committed to researching local history and recording local people’s memories for the future. Also, with the local community, taking part in local heritage events, thus furthering education and access to local history.
Read MoreProjects
The Society is committed to raising awareness of projects that maintain and enhance the fabric and infrastructure of Wigan's history and heritage.
Plantation Gates - Ongoing
Project to restore the Gateway and Lodges. Grade 2* Listed Building "At-Risk"
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Common Seal Stonework - Ongoing
The project aim is to repair and relocate the stonework, recovered, from the old Town Hall, King St, to a prominent position within the Town Centre.
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Heritage Buildings of Wigan - Ongoing
Volunteers required to photograph and research local buildings
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The Gidlow Sisters - Closed
Discovering and locating oil paintings of Margaret Eleanor and Amelia Gidlow originally displayed in the Board Room of Wigan Infirmary. There is also a stained galss window dedicated to the sisters.
Learn MoreCalender & Minutes
Come along and join our group
Upcoming Events & Meetings
Our Calendar of upcoming events and meetings
Our venue and meeting dates:
Wigan Local History and Heritage Society meets on the second Monday of each month, with a local history themed presentation starting at 7.15pm in The Function Room at Real Crafty, Wigan https://www.
The doors open at 12 noon, and the bar is open serving drinks plus hot and cold beverages, so come along early and have a chat.
Free parking on street is available after 6pm.
This room is on the ground floor and is fully accessible to all.
However, toilets are not fitted with grab rails so cannot be classed as disabled toilets for that reason.
A warm welcome is given to members old and new, and visitors are also welcome.
Everyone is welcome to join us and learn about the rich history and heritage of Wigan.
The membership fee is £10 per year, payable in September, reduced to £5 for new members who join after February.
01942 200364
Our Constitution
Recent Minutes
December 2022 - No meeting, Xmas party
2020 May - No meeting due to Covid 19 lockdown
2020 April - No meeting due to Covid 19 lockdown
2019 December - No meeting - Xmas Party
2019 September (2019 AGM - Minutes to be agreed at next AGM)
Join our Society
Discovering and protecting our Wigan history and heritage.
If you are interested in becoming a member of Wigan Local History and Heritage Society you will be most welcome.
Online membership is also available.
The subscription is currently £10 per annum, from 1/11/21 - 30/10/22 reduced to £5 if joining after February, and benefits will include:
Benefits
- Full access to the website and all resources and articles
- Free entry and priority to membership presentations (except those of fee charging speakers when a small charge may be made to cover the costs)
- Invitations to local History quiz nights, guided walks and visits.
- Zoom presentations from time to time.
- Access to online monthly members meetings where we discuss the business of the Society.
- Associate membership of Wigan Archaeological Society at 50% subscription cost.
- Full membership of Wigan Building Preservation Trust
- Regular copies of Lancashire History Federation Newsletter and Wigan Archaeological Society Newsletters.
- Group subscriptions to the Lancashire Federation for Local History and the British Association for Local History and access to the excellent resources available for members on those websites.
Online membership is also available and is designed for any member who is not able to access the presentation meetings in Wigan, benefits will include:
- Full access to the website and all resources and articles
- A link to recordings of the local history presentations where possible.
- A link to recordings of local History quiz nights, guided walks and visits where possible.
- Zoom presentations from time to time.
- Access to online monthly members meetings where we discuss the business of the Society.
- Associate membership of Wigan Archaeological Society at 50% subscription cost.
- Regular copies of Lancashire History Federation Newsletter and Wigan Archaeological Society Newsletters.
- Group subscriptions to the Lancashire Federation for Local History and the British Association for Local History and access to the excellent resources available for members on those websites.
Here is the link to an application form if you would like to Join Our Society. There is no need to sign into google.
Link
A Brief History of our Group provided by Sheila Ramsdale our President
Anne Cat
terall and I had been friends for over 20 years. We first met when Ann was doing a teacher training course at Wigan and Leigh College and I was one of her tutors. We discovered we had many things in common, not least a love of history and particularly Local History. Through the years we spent many hours researching local History down at the archives of Wigan Local Studies at the Museum of Wigan Life.There we met Rita Fell and she became one of our partners in crime searching the catalogues for snippets of interesting information.. Once Ann retired our ambition was to set up a local history group to look at the people, industries, politics and other aspects of Industrial life that made up Wigan.
We held our first meeting in September 2013 at Book Cycle in Beech Hill, and we were delighted when over 15 people including Rita turned up for our first meeting. Since then the group went from strength to strength. As well as having guest speakers, such as Alan Davies with his vast knowledge of Mining, Yvonne Eckersley with her knowledge of feminists and local industry, we had speakers from further afield. We also went on visits to other Museums including, The Peoples History Museum at Manchester, The North West Labour History Museum in Salford and as far afield as The National Coal Mining Museum up in Wakefield.
Unfortunately Ann took ill suddenly and despite her tremendous courage she died from cancer on 6 April, 2015. We were all very shocked and u
pset.Right to the end Ann was discussing our projects and I promised her the group would carry on regardless and that we would achieve our goal of getting a mining statue erected in Wigan.We set up a Charity out of our history group and this was named WHAMM (Wigan Heritage and Mining Monument), we had 8 trustees including our M.P. Lisa Nandy and the Leader of Wigan Council, David Molyneux.We also had other members of the committee who helped with our fund raising, this took us over three years to accomplish. However, we achieved our goal with help from the people of Wigan, Brighter Borough money from local Councillors and a very generous anonymous donation from a local benefactor.
Our finest event was when Maxine Peake came to St. Michaels Church. This was a sell out. We had a marvellous evening and made over £4,000 for WHAMM. The statues of a Miner, Pit Brow Girl and young boy were unveiled during lockdown by the Contractor Stuart and Sheila. We are intending to have an official unveiling once the Covid Virus becomes more manageable.
The Local History and Heritage Group have still continued meeting, but I decided to resign as Chairperson because of other commitments. Luckily, two of our members, Clare and Paul Kenyon agreed to take over the running of the group which has been a great success. What was once a cosy little group of friends has grown into a large society with a new dynamic web site and with a huge following on social media.
Sheila RamsdaleUseful Links
If you would like us to add your link please click this to contact us
Local
A website devoted to the ancient parish of Billinge with many photographs to look at.
Visit Billinge History Society »
Guidance on proposing buildings and structures for the Wigan Council Local List
Visit Buildings of Local Interest »
A charity who look after and bring to life 2,000 miles of waterways
Visit Canals & Rivers Trust - North West
Crooke Village
Crooke is a small village situated a couple of miles to the west of Wigan town centre and has a fascinating history.
Visit Crooke Village »
earlyWIGANrugby
A website focusing on rugby in the town 1862-1915
Visit earlyWIGANrugby
Friends of Haigh Hall Heritage and Open Access For All
A group campaigning to protect historic rights of public access within the grounds of Haigh Woodland Park.
Visit Friends of Haigh Hall and Open Access For All
Friends of Haigh Woodland Park
The objectives of the group are to develop and maintain facilities in the Country Park that the residents of Wigan will enjoy using.
Visit Friends of Haigh Woodland Park »
The Friends of Leyland Park are a community group, dedicated to improving the standard of Leyland Park in Hindley, Lancashire and more importantly, by way of hosting events, bringing the entire community together.
Visit Friends of Leyland Park »
Discover the people and places of Wigan Borough both past and present. Library Street, Wigan, WN1 1NU
Visit Museum of Wigan Life »
The borough of Wigan contains 12 Scheduled Ancient Monuments, ranging from medieval cross bases to colliery machinery. Scheduled Ancient Monuments are sites of national historical or archaeological importance which are given legal protection by being placed on a list or schedule.
Visit Scheduled Ancient Monuments in Wigan & Leigh »
Lots of interesting information and photos of Ashton-in-Makerfield and surrounding areas.
Visit The Makerfield Rambler »
Over the years the society have carried out a number of field projects within the Wigan district. Reports of these projects are available on-line through the projects area of the website
Visit Wigan Archaeological Society »
The Wigan Archives Service cares for the historical records of the Wigan Metropolitan Borough making them available to the public. Access to collections of records for its people, places, businesses, churches, societies and all manner of other organisations, preserving the history of the entire borough.
Visit Wigan Archives and Local Studies »
A society that takes an interest in the environment and heritage of Wigan. They have monthly meetings on the second Monday of the month at St. Goerge's Church, Water St, Wigan at 7.30pm.
Visit Wigan Civic Trust »
Research into family & local history
Visit Wigan Family & Local History »
The Wigan Borough Environment & Heritage Network is the forum for anyone concerned with Environment, Heritage, History and Archaeology matters, throughout the entire Wigan Borough, to meet on a regular basis and exchange news, views and aspirations.
Visit Wigan Heritage Network »
The Parish Church of All Saints Wigan is by far the oldest church in Wigan but when it was founded and when the Christian religion was first established in Wigan is unknown.
Visit Wigan Parish Church »
A short history of Wigan and a couple walks with notes.
Visit Wigan Town Trails »
Wigan on the Internet
Visit Wigan World »
National
A new Online Military Archive
Online access to the collections of Regimental and Corps museums from across the UK.
Visit the Ogilby Muster
Architectural Heritage Fund
The Architectural Heritage Fund is a registered charity founded in 1976 to promote the conservation of historic buildings in the UK.
Visit The Architectural Heritage Fund »
Promoting and supporting the rescue and sustainable use of historic buildings.
Visit Association of Building Preservation Trusts »
Historic England exists to protect and promote England's spectacular historic environment and ensure that its past is researched and understood. Website includes lots of useful information including listed buildings at risk.
Visit Historic England »
Interactive map where can search for listed buildings by postcode or address.
Visit Historic England Map Search »
A group who are set to preserve the literary heritage of Lancashire. It has become clear, in recent times, that the spoken and written heritage has been neglected by many inhabitants of this county and only enthusiastically promoted by a few.
Visit The Lancashire Society »
The National Trust is a charity and is completely independent of Government. They rely for income on membership fees, donations and legacies, and revenue raised from their commercial operations.
Visit The National Trust »
Planning Sanity was set up to help local communities tackle adverse planning and development applications that threaten to blight their communities.
Visit Planning Sanity »
Save Britain's Heritage have been campaigning for historic buildings since its formation in 1975.
Visit Save Britain's Heritage »
War Memorials Trust works for the protection and conservation of war memorials in the UK.
Visit War Memorials Trust »
Contact
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