What's New!

7th November 2024

Articles

History of Trencherfiels Mills

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Architect - Richardson Thomas Johnson

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Brothers in Arms - Story of two Standish lads in WWII 

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Resources

1896 - List of Companies & Mines in Wigan

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Leyland Free Library & Museum, Hindley

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Mabs Cross - Article published in 1867

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The Science & Art of Mining

Published by Thomas Wall & Sons

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List of Locomotives built at Haigh Foundry

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1781 - Bailey's Wigan Directory

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A Guide to the Parish Church of St. Wilfrid's, Standish

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1879 - Ince Sanitary Report - infant mortality

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Wigan Town Centre Trail - 2 walks - by Philip Powell

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Talking Articles - sound recordings of articles for the visuallly impaired

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Lord Crawford's Other Acres

Life in Crawford Village and the methodist movement.

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The History of Water Supplies to Wigan 1760-2000

including the old springs and wells

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History of Wigan Golf Club

extracts of the centenary book

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History of the Wesleyan Methodist Church - Lamberhead Green 1776-1946

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History of Shevington & St. Anne's Church.

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The Waterloo Monument at Bispham Hall

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History of Wigan Baptist Church 1796-1996

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Old Wigan - Booklet by Henry Tennyson Folkard - Wigan's first librarian

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19th August 2024

Articles

Frederick Joseph Jervis, DFM

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Whit Monday Walking Days

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George Orwell's Lodgings

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The Philantrophic Legacy of the Godlow Sisters

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Standish Heritage Trails

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High Riders to Rolls Royces - The Story of Timberlakes

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The Origins and Evolution of Highfield Cricket Club

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The Walmesley's of the Hall of Ince and Lucknam Park

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1881 - Wigan & District Teachers Association

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History of the Wigan Jewish Community

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The old Wells & Springs of Wigan

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Who Built Wigan;s Churches

New website by Will & Pat Sharp

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The Walmesley Chapel - Wifan Parish Church

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Notre Dame Convent - Centenary Booklet

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1895 - Aspull Health Report

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1957 - Sotheby Auction - Biblioteheca Lindesiana

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The Seven Ages of Upholland Grammar School

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High Riders to Rolls Royces - The Timberlakes Story

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Two Old Wigan Business Families

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From Cornwall to Wigan and Back.

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3rd June 2024

Articles

WWII American Soldiers in and around Ashton and Golborne

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9th April 2024

Articles

School Holidays

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History of William Morton & Sons - Grocers, Ince & Wigan

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Wigan Wakes Week

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Molly Penson - The Women with a mania for houses

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The times and history of Barrack Square

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The Lancashire Pit Brow Lasses, and their campaign to remove women from surface labour 1842-87

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Lost parts of Standish Hall found in America

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The Evolution of Early Railways in Winstanley, Orrell & Pemberton 1770-1870

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Resources

Statement of an Amateur Pit Brow Worker

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The Parish Church of All Saints - A short history & guide

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 1905 - Independent Methodist Churches in Wigan

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The Wigan Miracles - Queen's Hall

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The Bolton's - Metalworkers of Wigan

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WW2 - Bombs dropped in the Wigan area

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15th January 2024

Articles

Thomas Morris of King Street - by Graham Taylor

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The Dean Family of Crawford Village, Upholland

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Recollections of Lomra Green- by the late Hilda Clancy

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Two Old Wigan Families - Eccles & Heron - by Graham Taylor

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The Victorian Playboy, Johnnie Walmesley of the Hall of Ince - By Andy Lomax

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The Higsons of Blackrod & Haigh - by Caroline Heaven

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Resources

The Makerfield Rambler Page - George Heaton, Wigan Architect & Engineer 1840-1910.

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A Geological Background - Wigan, Dept of Environment

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Bispham Hall Survey 1990 - Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit

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Unveiling Ceremony of Wigan War Memorial, 1925. courtesy of Anne Hurst

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20th November 2023

Society Video Presentations

Who Built Wigan's Churches - by Pat & Will Sharp

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Coccium to Coal Miners - Presentation by members of the Society, Jim Meehan, Ken Scally, Clare Kenyon and Jan Thomas.

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Articles

The Brindle Family of St. Mary's, Standishgate by Graham Taylor.

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An Honourable Opponent - Biography of Sir Thomas Ratcliffe-Ellis by Miles Ellis

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Wigan & the Salve Trade by Derek Winstanley.

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A Study of the Funeral Hatchments at St. Wilfrid's Church, Standish by Jim Meehan,

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Recollections of Visits to Tucson House by Jean Farrimond

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History of Ince Cemetery Chapels

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The Rebuilding of Wigan Parish Church in Victorian times by Peter Layland

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Medieval Moated Sites around Wigan by Derek Winstanley.

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Resources

Wigan Police Scrapbook by Andy Lomax

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History of Football Association in Wigan (1883-1900)

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Wigan Amateur Operatic Society Programme, Dec 1924. donated by Susan Rynn.

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Lancashire Past - A series of articles on the Wigan area by Adrian & Richard Bowden.

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12th June 2023

Society Video Presentations

Alfred Waterhouse 1830-1905 - Architectural Superstar - a presentation by Sean Jinks.

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Articles

Tales from The Workhouse - The Bizarre Story of Infant Funeral by Graham Taylor.

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Giants Hall Farmhouse by Graham Taylor

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The Life and Times of Richard Makinson and his Arcade

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Did Wigan have a Norther Soul by Keith Gildart

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Wigan - The origins of Gerrard Winstanley's Radicalism by Derek Winstanley

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Sam Woods Presentation at the Museum of Life.

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History of St. John the Divine, Pemberton, by Michael A. Mason

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A Standish Baptism - Methodism in Standish by Jim Meehan

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Georgian Splendour - The Story of 21-25 King St, Wigan by Jim Mehhan

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The Story of 54-56 King St, Wigan by Jim Meehan

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Recollections of visits to Tucson House in the 1930's by Jean Farrimond.

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Resources

Wigan Diggers Festival - from Rita Fell

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Wiganers and the Spanish Civil War - from Rita Fell

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The History of the Church of St. Andrew, Springfield, by Roy Taylor

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Unveiling of the Wigan Mining & Heritage Monument - from Rita Fell

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1891 - Report on outbreak of typhus in Scholes & Ince - investigation

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The Battle of Brunaburh in 937 AD - Was it fought in Wigan? by Jonathan Starkey.

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Faith & Martyrdom - Edmund Arrowsmith by Michael Peyton

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The Keith Douglas Collection - "Mr. Standish" by Jim Meehan.

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Leigh Town Trail, two guided walks  plus the history of Leigh.

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12th February 2023

Society Video Presentations

Thomas Linacre - By Eric Curless - 14th November 2022.

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Northerners - By Brian Groom - 9th January

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Articles

Friends of Wall Hey

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Visiting History - Highfield St. Matthew's Church by Derek Winstanley

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History of Wigan Mining & Technical College by Stephen Craig Smith

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Wigan Wallgate Station Memorial by Graham Taylor

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The Macfarlane's of Henhurst Bridge Foundry by Pau Macfarlane and Andy Lomax

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A book is immortal - A critique of Orwell by Tom Walsh

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Humphrey J.G. Walmesley of Westwood House, Ince, Wigan by Andy Lomax

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The use of maps as an aid to historical research and the history of the Ordnance Survey by Graham Taylor.

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Two Wallgaters at War by Graham Taylor

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Standish Medieval Stone Cross Bases by Graham Taylor

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Wigan Election Riots of 1831 by Graham Taylor

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Memories of Life in Wigan during the 1950's and 60's by BETA Education.

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The Anne Hurst Collection by Jim Meehan

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The Life of Sam Woods M.P. by Anthony Pilgrim

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The Role of Wigan Cricket Club on Rugby in Wigan (1872-1877)

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Resources

Historic Buildings of Wigan 

Search the website  

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Thomas Woodcock V.C.

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Alfred Robert Wilkinson V.C.

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John Elisha Grimshaw V.C.

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William Stephen Kennealy V.C.

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The Clockmakers and Watchmakers of Wigan (1650-1850)

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Standish of Standish - Geneaology

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Sale of the Haigh Estate - Auction Catalogues

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The Devil's Hill - The Battle of Spion Kop by Fred Holcroft

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The History of Crooke Village

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Byways from Wigan - 1947

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The History of Wigan Girls High School (1887-1947)

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Motor Runs Round Wigan (1937)

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The Official Guide to the Town Industries in 1935

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Wigan Corporation Regalia (1246-1965)

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Memorial Inscriptions in Hindley Graveyards

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The History of Thomas Linacre Technical School (1953-1963)

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Zeppelin Raid on Wigan - 12th April 1918 ( with Map)

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The Diary of Roger Lowe (1663-1668)

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The Rise and Fall of St. Joseph's Seminary, Upholland.

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19th October 2022

Society Video Presentations 

Times of Change - A Look at the former Westwood Estate by Andy Lomax

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The Life of King Street by Ken Scally

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The Changing Face of Wigan by Dylan Harris

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Irish Potato Famine

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Articles

Winstanley Moated Homesteads by Derek Winstanley

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Life of Thomas Wall and family - Founder of the Wigan Observer by Malcom Ryding. 

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Wigan Volunteer Light Horse - History by Graham Taylor

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Two Wallgaters at War by Graham Taylor

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The use of Maps as an aid to historical research and the history of the Ordnance Survey

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Resources

Haigh Hall - History

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Cook book produced for cotton workers during the Cotton Famine in 1863

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Tom Walsh - Haigh Hall - A pearl in Wigan's proud history

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Local History Research - Workshops

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History of Wigan Fire Brigade

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Lancashire Past - Website

Link to the following articles, Parbold Windmill, Upholland St. Thomas Church, Upholland Priory and Mabs Cross.

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Jobs in a Cotton Mill

Finch Family History - Book published in the 1870's covering the Finch, Peck and Brown famiies.

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Heritage Buildings of Wigan

Over 100 heritage buildings added to the website, covering Ashton, Golborne, Lowton, Wigan, Standish, Haigh and Orrell.

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30th July 2022

Pony Dick - A Lost Community between Winstanley and Wigan.

Presentation by Derek Winstanley to the Society

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Punching above its Weight

Wigan's part in the Brass Band Movement.

A presentation by Wigan local History and Heritage Society member, Pete Moss.

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Rylands Sidings View


Springfield Hall View


Wigan Election Riots of 1831. View


Westwood Hall. View


The Tale of William Tipping. View


Walker Bros & Pagefield Ironworks. View


History of the Parish of St. John's, Standishgate. View


Local History Research

A series of three do-it  yourself workshops View


The Clockmakers & Watchmakers of Wigan (1650-1850) View


Wigan Town Centre Trail. View


Standish of Standish - Genealogy - View


Bankes of Winstanley Hall - Genealogy. View


Wigan Buildings website - Search the website - View

Lots of new heritage buildings added....... 


15th May 2022


Home Town - Reflections of a Wigan Exile

Video Presentation by John Richardson

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Video Presentation by John Gostellow

Cinemas of Wigan 

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The Most Calamitous of Times -Wigan during the Civil War Period.

Video Presentation by Jim Meehan

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Centenary of the Wigan Coat of Arms

by Derek Winstanley

Read

From Wigan to Wirral by Tom Walsh

Read

Tales from the Workhouse - The Story of Sarah Hartley 

by Graham Taylor

Read


1st February 2022

History of the Royal Ordnance Factory - Beech Hill

by Graham Taylor

Read the Article


Thomas Skelton - The Fool of Haigh

Read


The Rushton Brothers and their Building

Read


Conversations of Pit Brow Lasses

Audio "memory" recordings produced in the 1970's by Angela v. John

 View & Listen


A Ramble Round the Wigan Paris Church

Jam-packed with information on the history of the Church

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11th December 2021

Wigan Workhouse and the Poor Law Union

by Graham Taylor

Read


Brief History & Casualty records of  the 2nd 5th Battalion of Manchester Regiment. 

by Graham Taylor

View the Article & List


Sir Francis Sharp Powell - his Life & Times and the corrupt election of 1881. - A presentation to the Society by one of our members Dr. Richard Simpson, on 8th November 2021.

View the Presentation


A Letter from the Past

Letter from James Parkinson to his sons, on reaching 70years of age.

by Graham Taylor

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Wigan - Town & Country Rambles

      by John T Hilton published 1914

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7th November

Wigan - 1957 - View

 Provides an insight into life in Wigan in 1957. The publication has been split into various sections for improved reading.         

The Tragedy at Winstanley Hall Estate - View

Julia Bracewell Folkard - Artist of the "lost paintings" - View

The WW1 diary of Rifleman William Walls - View

Tom Walsh

     A Christmas story .. "to melt your heart" - View

     Circle of "New Year" Life - View

Wigan Pewter and their makers - View


Wigan Buildings website - Search the website - View

Lots of new heritage buildings added.......


25th September

Two Hundered Years of Methodism in Wigan - View

Hon. James Lindsay - allegations regarding his election as Burgess for Wigan at the 1846 parliamentary election - View

Illustrated History of Wigan 1878-1978 - View - (produced Wigan Library Services)

Viaducts

     The Boar’s Head-Haigh Viaduct (The Dominoes)  View  

    The Standish-Whelley Viaduct (20 Bridges)  View 

History of St. John's School & Joseph Hansom (Architect) - View


20th August

BETA - Visit to the National Memorial Arboretum - View the Article

The True Story of a Pit Shaft - View Article

21, Upper Dicconson & Lord Leverhulme - View Article

150 Years Celebration of St. Patrick's 1847-1997 - View Article


20th July

wiganbuildings website

Market Hotel


13th July

A lad from Scholes meets Queen Victoria by Tom Walsh

View the Article


3rd July

Interesting article by Graham Taylor on the "lost" railway station at Boars Head,

View the Article

29th June

History of Speckled Holly Cottage - Standish Wood Lane

by Graham Taylor

View the Article


17th June 

History of Timberlakes

"High Riders & Rolls Royces" - charting the history of the Timberlake family and the buildings the company occupied in the town centre.

View the Presentation


Swinley & the Wigan Land & Building Company

An article documenting the development of the Swinley area in the 1870's

View the Article


7th June

Wigan Casualties at Gallipoli - WW1

Excellent and dedicated research by Graham Taylor - The list of 5th Battalion of the Manchester Regiment, Wigan casualties, at Gallipoli. (Incomplete and still a work in progress)

View the List


31st May

Margery Booth - "The Operatic Spy"

Very  interesting research on the life and times of Margery Booth, the Wigan born opera singer and the circumstances leading to her role as a spy during WW11.

by Graham Taylor

Read the Story


Highfield Cricket Club - 75 Glorious Years 1924 -1999

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King Street Heritage Action Zone 

Lots of interesting information on this much needed initiative. Also includes social and architectural information on the buildings within the Zone.

View


16th May 

Video - History of the Jireh Chapel by one of our members, Pam Thomas   

View

Article - Memories of the Whit Monday Walks by Tom Walsh

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80th Anniversary of the May Blitz on Liverpool 1941 by BETA "The Two Eileens"

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1811 Census

Only 1 volume of 2, including Market Street, Wiend, Hallgate, Frog Lane, Wallgate, Millgate, Scholes, Warrington Lane, Castle Yard and Club Row

View

The "Lost" Buildings of King Street

Part of the King Street Heritage Zone project.

Read about the history of The Palace Cinema, The Shakespeare Hotel and more long gone buildings.

View


Previous Updates 


We've added:-

The History of the Church of St Andrew, Springfield

History of the first three vicars, including Rev. William Wickham.

Link


Coal Mining in Hindley by Chris Southworth

Very interesting, including old maps and colliery locations identified on google maps

Link


Rugby Website

From one of our member, Marc Selby, who has created a great website.

Early Wigan Rugby remembers the rich history and heritage of the Wigan Rugby Football Club and champions the men who built the club up. The websites aim is to put to bed some myths and explore the true origins and events of the Wigan club from 1862 through to the First Word War.

Link to Website


wiganbuildings Website

Our sister website continues to grow with images, history and memories of over 800 buildings of interest across the borough of Wigan.

Link to Website

There is a search facility that you can search for an Area, Building Grade, or an individual building, by using the drop-down lists.

Link to Building Search

If you would like to recommend a new building of interest or have relevant information on an existing building, please contact:- 

wiganlocalhistory@gmail.comView