Articles
A collection of historical articles, and reminiscences of Wigan
The Great Wigan Coal Robbery
The story of the great coal robbery in Wigan in 1848 and the legal proceedings that followed. By Graham Taylor 2025
Margery Booth – The Operatic Spy
The revised and updated true story of Margery Booth, the famous Wigan born opera singer who spied for Britain in Berlin during WW2. By Graham Taylor . Revised and updated 2025 from original 2021 version.
Buildings "At-Risk"
Wigan Building Preservation Trust defines an at-risk building as typically a building or structure that is in a poor or deteriorating condition, often vacant, and at risk of decay, loss, or damage. The attached list is currently under review:
Queen's Hall Discovery Room
Queen’s Hall Methodist Mission & Wigan Building Preservation Trust unveils new Discovery Room to celebrate Wigan’s heritage.
The Yew Tree
The story of the Yew tree in Jubilee Park, Ashton in Makerfield dedicated to Pte Walter Turton of the Lancashire Fusiliers. By Graham Taylor
Queens Hall Mission War Memorials
Details of the War Memorials held at the Queens Hall Mission in Market Street, Wigan. By Graham Taylor
Beyond the Prison Walls
The wartime story of Grenadier Guardsman John Cecil Larkin of Orrell. From his capture in North Africa, to his escape from an Italian POW camp and subsequent journey back to Allied Lines, By Graham Taylor
The Life and Times of Sicklefield House, Wigan
A look at the lives of the people who have resided at Sicklefield House, Wigan over the past 200 years. By Graham Taylor
Flt. Lt Ronald Walker... The Wigan Pilot Murdered by the Gestapo.
The story of the Wigan pilot Flt. Lt. Ronald Walker, murdered by the Gestapo in 1944. By Graham Taylor
Molly Penson - The Woman With A Mania For Houses
The story of the property empire belonging to Molly Penson - the Wigan woman with a mania for houses. By Graham Taylor
Fox & Morris - Maypole Disaster
Gavin Purdon has traced the story of rescuers James Fox and Thomas Morris, who risked their lives in a desperate midnight mission to save two trapped men. Despite their bravery, the pair were denied gallantry medals—a decision Gavin believes this to be an unpaid debt of honour.
George Heaton, Engineer & Architect (1840-1910)
The life and works of prolific Wigan architect and engineer, responsible for the design of many iconic Wigan buildings.