UPDATE: All future scheduled meetings have been put on hold until things return back to normality ...
Meanwhile, meetings will take place electronically via Zoom. If you are interested in joining a Zoom meeting please get in touch.
Last Meeting
Derek Winstanley shared some of his fascinating research into the life and times of radical thinker, Gerrard Winstanley, his family and the influence of Wigan.
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 Wigan Sports Club also known as Wigan Cricket Club.
The doors open at 6:30pm, and the bar is open serving drinks plus hot and cold beverages, so come along early and have a chat.
Free parking is available.
This room is on the ground floor and is fully accessible to all.
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.
Members £2.50, visitors £3.00 per meeting.
The membership fee is £5 per year, payable in September, reduced to £2.50 for new members who join after February.
Wigan Cricket Club
Bull Hey, Parsons Walk, Parson's Walk, Wigan WN1 1RU
01942 241581
A very interesting and in-depth article by local historian Graham Taylor.
Read MoreA Zoom presentation by member, Ron Hunt, to the group in Feb 2021
Read MoreSome history and memories of lost buildings in Pemberton & Highfield
Read MoreArticle by Graham Taylor reserching Beech Hill and the Gill family
Read MoreA national builder has named a new development in Standish “Brideoake Court” after a local historic figure. But who was he? Find out here.
Read MoreAn article by our member, Pam Thomas, on the members of the congregation from the Jireh Chapel, Orrell, who fought in the World War One.
Read MoreA presentation on the Lives of the Eckersley family by one of members, Andy Lomax.
Read MorePhoto of a Cricket Match played on the Mesnes in 1864, the ground later became Mesnes Park. Summary of the players with the social aspects!
Read MoreSome great pre-Xmas reading, written by Chris Southworth for an OND project in 1973.......seems like yesterday!
Read MoreProduced in October 2020 - It's very challenging to remove some of these buildings, due to several factors.
Read MoreDiscovering the oldest Duke of Lancaster Own Yeomanry grave in Wigan and the varied and interesting life of soldier James Beegan
Read MoreView the Zoom presentation on Gerrard Winstanley by Derek Winstanley to our Society on 9th Novenber. Derek shared some of his fascinating research into the life and times of radical thinker, Gerrard Winstanley, his family and the influence of Wigan.
Read MoreThe Wigan Archives Service has well over 500,000 documents, photographs, maps and historic books in our collections.
Read MoreAn exceptional collection of photos, history and memories of Wigan
Read MoreFind graves at Wigan, Gidlow, Hindley, Ince and Westwood Cemeteries, with kind permission of wiganworld
Read MoreWigan Building Preservation Trust (WBPT) - All the Listed Buildings within Wigan Council area, including non-listed buildings that are of historical and architectural interest.
Read MoreRecommended list of books relating to Wigan history and heritage. Access to Library Services
Read MoreOld Films of Wigan, mostly from the British Film Institute (BFI) , Mainly from 1900 - 1904
Read MoreAlthough Derek has lived in Illinois, USA, for 40 years, he returns to Wigan nearly every year and has written extensively on local history.Thanks to Derek we are pleased to provide access to his materials on the local history of Wigan and Winstanley.
Read MoreSome cameo pieces by one of our members - Images courtesy of Wigan Archives
Read MoreRecollections and memories of growing up in Wigan in the 1950s & 1960s.
Read MoreThis page by Graham Taylor, local military historian, is dedicated to telling the stories of local soldiers, their families and communities in the Great War of 1914-1918 and before.
Read MoreStories and presentations from Jim who is a retired civil servant with an interest in local and family history, as well as archaeology.
Read MoreProject to restore the Gateway and Lodges. Grade 2* Listed Building "At-Risk"
Learn MoreThe 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.
Learn MoreDiscovering 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 MoreOur Constitution
Recent Minutes
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)