The local museum packed with exciting exhibits for Wigan, Leigh and neighbouring towns and villages.
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The Museum is a Grade II listed building designed by Alfred Waterhouse that opened in 1878 as the town’s first public library. A Heritage Lottery Fund award of £1.9M refurbished the Museum which re-opened in April 2010. The permanent displays include Romans, Ancient Egypt, Early Trades and Protest across the borough. Our current family-friendly, interactive temporary exhibition is 'Gerrumonside! T
he Passion of Rugby League Past, Present & Future' which showcases original memorabilia and features the Central Park turnstile. In the Taylor Gallery on the first floor is the local studies area, holding original documents and maps and reference books, open to all visitors. Find out more at http://www.wigan.gov.uk/Resident/Leisure/Heritage-services.aspx
Have a trip down to Wigan Local Studies and have a look at our Victorian decorated room! Have a go at our Christmas trail suitable for all ages. Look out for our beautiful Victorian Christmas cards on display, and other hidden gems! Opening hours Tues - Fri 10-4 and Saturdays 10-2
Can you guess where this is, also the cinema on the right side what was its name? Very regal indeed!
Christmas Gift Idea`s just arrived the new Wigan Pier merchandise!
We are taking a look at Upholland Brickworks , this photo we assume was taken around 1900, shows a group of women who were employed at the Brickworks. Despite the snow in the background, some have rolled up sleeves and all are wielding spades and shovels. Perhaps they are clearing the snow? Perhaps they are shovelling stone? Either way, they all look formidable, in particular the woman in the centre who could well be in charge of the rest of the group.
Stone Quarrying in Upholland had been taking place since the 1700s, and the quarry at Crow Lane was renowned for its high quality sand and building stone. The access to, and quality of that stone was a factor in deciding the location of the Roman Catholic College, which was started in 1880.
Being blessed with the raw materials, brick making in Upholland was also an important local industry and employer.
Upholland Brick and Tile, situated on Chequer Lane would have been producing around 100,000 bricks per week in 1900. Using locally sourced materials, shale, fireclay and of course coal, the bricks produced there had a distinctive yellow, red or blue appearance. As well as bricks the company also produced vases, urns, sundials and pig troughs.
The Upholland Brick and Tile company was taken over by Ravenhead Sanitary pipe and Brick company in 1908, Ravenhead were in turn taken over by Ibstock in later years and this year it was announced in the press that the Ravenhead site would be closing in late 2023 due to a dramatic fall in the demand for bricks.
photo number PC2009.337
A group of female workers and a young male worker, in the snow at Upholland Brickworks.
Places still available
Museum of Wigan Life
Fancy Dress on Boxing Day ,Wigan - by Anna FC Smith
Boxing Day fancy dress is a big . Do you have of celebrating in costume on King Street or Club Nirvana? join Anna FC Smith
for this illuminating talk to find out more.
📅 Sat 9th Dec
⌚ 12-1pm
💷 £2.50
Booking Essential
01942 828128 or [email protected]
Museum Minis every Wednesday 10.30-11.45, join in with all the fun activities! £1.50 per child.
Look who`s back it`s only Festive Jester with our new Past Forward, you can get a copy of the new edition at various venues across the Borough, such as the The Museum of Wigan Life, Archives: Wigan and Leigh,and the Borough’s libraries. Past Forward is only £2
Museum of Wigan Life
Fancy Dress on Boxing Day ,Wigan - by Anna FC Smith
Boxing Day fancy dress is a big . Do you have of celebrating in costume on King Street or Club Nirvana? join Anna FC Smith
for this illuminating talk to find out more.
📅 Sat 9th Dec
⌚ 12-1pm
💷 £2.50
Booking Essential
01942 828128 or [email protected]
Have you visited yet? our current exhibition Make Some Noise: From Stage Door to Dance Floor. The exhibition celebrates Wigan Borough`s entertainment history. Opening hours Tuesday - Friday 10-4, Saturday 10-2, and it`s
Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? when visiting the museum have a peruse in our gift shop from Uncle Joes to Wigan Casino gifts now in stock!
Visitor and Volunteer notice:
The Museum of Wigan Life and Wigan Local Studies will be closed in the morning on the 14th December. We will reopen the same day at 1pm. Apologies for any inconvenience and do get in contact if this will cause any inconvenience to your visit.
Mal is looking at St Josephs in Bedford, Leigh. The photo is of the grotto & grounds. St Joseph's Church is an active Roman Catholic church on Chapel Street in Bedford, Leigh. The grotto is a free-standing and designed to engage with existing garden elements. A statue of the Virgin Mary will face south and be nestled into a landform, designed to offer a sheltered space for the statue and place for prayerful contemplation. Unfortunately the grotto was removed sometime in the 1990`s. St Josephs after the Reformation when the Church of England left the Catholic Church several recussant families in Leigh kept the 'Old Faith'. Mass was heard in secret at Bedford Hall, Hopecarr and Hall House. Ambrose Barlow carried out priestly duties in the parish while living at Morleys Hall in Astley.
Father John Penketh, the first Jesuit priest in Bedford in 1678 was imprisoned in Lancaster. John Shaw built the old chapel from which Chapel Street is named in 1778. One of his successors, Father John Reeve who served from 1828 until 1840, built the school. The brick-built chapel was replaced by St Joseph's Church which opened on 3rd May 1855. Father John Middlehurst raised funds for construction of the nave, chancel and tower base and his successor, Father James Fanning completed the tower in 1878. Among the priests to serve the parish was the poet Gerard Manley Hopkins who arrived in 1879. The church was designed in the Gothic Revival style by Joseph Hansom and built in 1855 in hammer-dressed stone with a slate roof with fishscale bands. The exterior in plan it has a wide nave, polygonal chancel, chapels on the north and south sides, a sacristy, south porch and west tower.The north and south elevations have nine bays on a projecting plinth separated by buttresses and three-light windows with Geometrical tracery. The chancel has two and three-light windows. The three-stage tower has angled buttresses with an octagonal stair turret in one corner. Above the arched west door at the second stage is a statue and niche. The third stage has four lancet windows and above them two-light belfry openings below the gables. The gable roof has a statue finial flanked by pinnacles.
Christmas Crafts at the Museum of Wigan Life. Join us on Saturday 16th December 12-2 and make your own Victorian crafts! and follow the Christmas trail.
Can you guess where this is?
Out and about in the Wigan Borough with Mal the mole! Well last weekend Mal decided to join Be Well Wigan /GM Ringway Walk: Wigan to Three Sisters
He met everyone at Wigan Wallgate , and took a stroll along the canal up to the Three Sisters, hes documented his day out, and as you can see he was dressed for the occasion!
This walk is in collaboration with the GM Ringway project, a new set of 20 walking routes circling the whole of Greater Manchester, highlighting some of the best local parks, lakes, canals, open spaces, exciting heritage and local interest. Why don`t you join in and explore more of Greater Manchester on the GM Ringway. For further information on future walks please see attached link
https://www.wigan.gov.uk/BeWell/Activities-sports/Active-Outdoors/Active-Outdoors-Walk.aspx
look out for more of Mal on his travels around the borough!
For this week’s throwback Thursday, we have the book of Universal English Shorthand by John Byrom. But what does this book on shorthand have to do with a Jacobite Rising and with the history of the Wigan Borough?
The Book, written by John Byrom in 1740, and printed in Manchester in 1767, advocated for a new standard of shorthand; a way of making notes quickly with a quill. The quill, unable to make too many marks at a time could be used to make notes by simplifying letters. For example, ‘r’ becomes ‘/’. However, this was not John Byrom’s only addition to history.
He was a prolific poet and social commentator penning the popular Anglican hymn: Christians Awake! He also coined the phrase ‘Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee’ in a satirical poem about the conflict between composers Handel and Bononcini. Perhaps his most famous work is a toast: ‘God bless the King! I mean the Faith's Defender...’ in which he plays off the Jacobite and Hanoverian feelings of the time. When Bonnie Prince Charlie arrived in Manchester in 1745 Byrom met with him, although demanded he be arrested first to avoid being seen as a traitor to the government. His Daughter, Elizabeth (‘Beppy’) was a more committed Jacobite. Her diary shows excitement for the rising. John complimented this literary work with a fascination with scientific and spiritual matters also. He became a member of the Royal Society while Isaac Newton was at its head and was familiar with members of both the Collegiate Church and St Annes Church in Manchester.
Byrom had connections to the borough especially in Leigh and Lowton through the ancestral seat of Byrom Hall which still stands today, though he also owned Kersall Cell in Salford and a townhouse in Manchester. After his death, this book was published showing further local connections in its subscribers: George Kenyon, George and Peter Legh and Edward Greaves, all who owned lands close to Leigh, Lowton and Ashton. Yet the book had much further reach; Charles Wesley, the co-founder of Methodism bought a copy as did no fewer than five MP’s, two presidents of the royal society and two masters of Cambridge colleges.
The reach of the book shows Byrom as someone of many characters. An occasional Jacobite and satirist but also a learned man with a wide and intellectual circle all organised from the North-West of England.
Can you help identify unknown school photo: although, the church in the background will allow some to guess. Date? Early post WW1,1920's? Some may recognise the priest?
Museum Minis every Wednesday! at the Museum of Wigan Life
10.30 - 11.45 , £1.50 per child
Bring your little ones down and join in!
🎵 Museum of Wigan Life
Have you been down to visit our current exhibition Make Some Noise: From Stage Door to Dance Floor?
Celebrating Wigan Borough`s entertainment history.
Opening hours Tuesday - Friday 10-4, Saturday 10-2
Notice to all volunteers and visitors.
Tuesdays will be busier than usual for the rest of term in the Museum of Wigan Life and Wigan Local Studies. Please be aware this may affect access to some fiche readers and resources. please get in contact with us if this will effect your visit.
this week Mal the mole has stumbled across a tiny photograph of Hindley Urban District Council, situated on Cross Street, neighbours to the left was the fire station and to the right of the offices was the gas works!
Only one day to go!
Come and visit the Museum of Wigan Life on Saturday 25th November to see a select performance of the popular nursery rhyme Jack & Jill the pantomime! performed by its no need to book, just drop in. 12-1pm
Can you name the church and where in the borough it is? lets see if you new it!!
The mini panto is only two days away! (oh no it isn't) Oh yes it is! 🎭
Join us and for a performance from their upcoming pantomime; Jack and Jill!
This Saturday at the Museum of Wigan Life, Free, Family friendly and no need to book, 12-1pm🎭
this week we are looking at the 1893 miners' strike
The strike of 1893, was a major industrial action affecting many areas of Great Britain.
Around 300,00 miners across the country took strike action, which was largely about a proposed reduction in wages.
Earlier in March of the same year, the mining federation of Great Britain had enforced a week’s holiday on all colliery workers, which although observed by most, had already taken its toll on the pockets of the people who relied on the mines for day to day survival.
The problem for the mine owners had been the fall in the price of coal, which had been falling since about 1890 and it was hoped that a week’s holiday (with no pay for the miners) would have reduced the surplus and helped prices to stabilise.
When this didn’t happen, a wage reduction was proposed.
The proposed 10% reduction would have seen many miners and their families in a dire situation financially, most were already struggling to make ends meet with whole families working underground in order to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads.
Striking families, with no other source of Income would have dependant on the charitable support offered by local soup kitchens. Most were outreach endeavours by churches and schools, but often local businesses, like Swarbricks butchers in Scholes, would have offered free soup on a ticketed basis.
The images we are sharing today, highlight the plight of the people of Wigan during desperate times, in particular the children, who make up the majority of the crowd queuing for hot soup.
But what this image also shows us, is what community looks like, what kindness looks like, and stands as testament to the generosity of those people whom at the time, despite having little themselves, went to great efforts to feed their hungry neighbours.
Photo no PC2010.3078 RVS Swarbrick's Butchers, Shop 151, Scholes, soup kitchen queue during the coal strike
Have you visited Uncle Joe`s: Making Life Sweeter For Over 125 years exhibition yet?
Come and view some of the never seen before artefacts, from the old style tins to building a robot from tins. on till Feb 2024, open Tuesday - Friday 10-4 and Saturday 10-2
Looking for something to do this look no further and come and visit the Museum of Wigan Life! are performing a selection from Jack & Jill this years Wigan Little Theatre`s pantomine. drop in, starts at 12 till 1
Looking for something to do every ? Bring your little ones down to the Museum of Wigan Life and join in with the museum minis, fun and engaging session`s with a different theme each week!
10.30 - 11.45 ,£1.50 per child includes drinks. Booking essential to book call 01942 828128 or [email protected]
🎵 Soul Time-Music and Chat Group 1-3pm drop in
Every other Monday at the Museum of Wigan Life, next session Monday 27th November.
Join Manchester Camerata for Soul Time - a music and chat group for people living with dementia and their families. Come to the museum for a relaxed and informal session set to music.🎵
This week Mal the mole is looking at 29 King Street. In the photograph is J.A.Parkinson (Centre) MP for Wigan 1918-1942 with a celebratory wreath written on it Success to Labour! The building on King Street accommodated different businesses
Madame Wilson, ladies hair dressing salon
James Ince, dentist
as well as Robert Lewis, registration agent, Trades Council and Lab Party sec.
Can you guess where in the borough this photo was taken?
as Light Night approaches us this weekend in Wigan, it has become an annual event for the borough, attracting thousands of visitors and showcasing the work of artists working with light and sound as their medium.
The last two years have seen the event installed along the canal, and last year this also incorporated Trencherfield Mill, but this years event is to take place in Mesnes park, and so for throwback Thursday this week we thought we would have a brief look at the history of the green space that was at one time named as ‘The Jewel in Wigans crown’
The name ‘Mesnes’ is derived from the land the park was built upon having once been part of the manorial demesnes land, the Rector of Wigan being the ‘lord of the manor’.
The land formed part of the Wigan Rectory Glebe Estate, the word ‘glebe’ for any who may not know, refers to land owned by the church from which an income was provided, traditionally land that was cultivated for profit. In 1847, there would have been two collieries operating within the present boundaries of the park, Wigan was after all, built on coal. By 1878, the coal was worked out and the site of the colliery derelict.
In 1871 6.5 hectares (16 acres) of the Mesnes were sold to Wigan Corporation as a site for a Grammar School and public park. The purchase was arranged by Nathaniel Eckersley, the then Mayor of Wigan. A further 5.5 hectares (14 acres) of land was leased and included the site of Turner's Colliery which continued in operation until 1880. A competition was held in 1877 for the design of a public park, which was won by John McClean of Castle Donington, who was then awarded the contract to supervise the work.The park was officially opened on August Bank Holiday Monday, 1878, by local mill owner and Mayor, Nathaniel Eckersley.
1880 saw the original ‘Swiss Chalet’ completed at Lodge gates, with Joseph Pettit as first ‘Parkie’ in residence. The same year, the Pavilion Café was completed with 4 flights of steps, and urns designed by Dalton & Co.
The café was occupied by a succession of contractors, including Cassinellis and Fredericks, who are still serving ice cream there over 100 years later.
The bandstand was built in 1890 and in 1903 a statue was erected to commemorate the soldiers who lost their lives in the Boer war.
In 1910 the bronze statue of Sir Francis Sharpe Powell was erected and unveiled by Lord Derby, this is probably the parks most noticeable feature, with the tradition of ‘rubbing the foot’ for good luck, arising around the time of the second world war.
Mesnes park has had a special place in the hearts of Wigan residents for many year, hosting galas, flower shows and being an integral part of the Carnival that once took place in the town centre.
During the ‘Holidays at home’ drive of 1945, the bandstand saw local musician and bandleader Roy Turner, entertaining Wigan residents who came to dance away, for a short time, their worries about the still raging war in Europe.
By the late 1980s early 1990s, the park had fallen into some disrepair, and in 1998, the ‘friends of Wigan park society’ had been formed, and in 2005 a £6.5m renovation grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund was awarded. This funding allowed for the renovation of The Lodge, the café, the bandstand and the Powel statue, as well as the reinstatement of the Coalbrookedale fountain and the Pulman waterfall. Later that year a new Boer War statue was unveiled by the friend of the Boer War memorial.
29th. September 2013 Grand Opening of the renovated Park by Stuart Maconie, with restored Lodge, Shelter, Café, Powell statue, Bandstand and Bowling Pavilion, and restitution of 2 lost features, - the Coalbrookdale fountain, and Pulham waterfall. Later in the year, a new Boer War Statue is unveiled by the Friends of the Boer War Memorial.
The grand reopening was hosted by Stuart Maconie on 29th September 2013.
Light Night 2023 will take place in Mesnes Park, Thursday 16th – Saturday 18th November and will feature the work of 17 artists from across the borough.
For further information about this event and to book your free tickets please visit
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/light-night-wigan-2023-tickets-725583197877?aff=ebdssbcitybrowse
Come and visit the Museum of Wigan Life on Saturday 25th November to see a select performance of the popular nursery rhyme Jack & Jill the pantomime! performed by Wigan Little Theatre its no need to book, just drop in. 12-1pm
Looking for something to do every Wednesday? Bring your little ones down to the Museum of Wigan Life and join in with the museum minis, fun and engaging session`s with a different theme each week!
10.30 - 11.45 ,£1.50 per child includes drinks. Booking essential to book call 01942 828128 or [email protected]
Places still available
Join renowned American Dr. Gordon Vernick for an illustrated , with the added bonus of hearing him play! 🎺
📅 Saturday 18 November
⌚ 12-1pm
💷 £2.50 pp inc refreshments
Booking Essential
To Book call 01942 828128 or [email protected]
Remembrance Sunday
Ava a student from John Rigby College, came a did a 2 day placement here at Wigan Local Studies. This is the lovely display she did for us, concentrating on the roles women did within the armed forces. Remembrance Sunday is a national opportunity to remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life.
We remember the Armed Forces, and their families, from Britain and the Commonwealth, the vital role played by the emergency services and those who have lost their lives as a result of conflict or terrorism.
The display is currently on show in Wigan Local Studies open Tuesday - Friday 10-4, Saturday 10-2
Can you spot Mal as he wears his poppy with pride!
This armistice day we remember all the service-personnel from the borough and currently in the borough. This image, from 1918 shows the first peace parade following the end of the First World War. The streets packed with people remembering their fallen friends and relatives while a carriage leads the procession. Adorned on the carriage are various pennants including naval flags and a flag of New Zealand; the ANZACS having fought alongside men from the borough in the Battle of Gallipoli in 1915.
Four years later, the war memorial opened to remember the 327 servicemen from Atherton who gave their lives in the Great War. Across the borough thousands died between 1914 and 1919 in service and from new threats such as aerial bombings on civilians.
105 years later we remember their stories, sacrifice and service. We will remember them.
The above image will be 'in the frame' this week and is available to view anytime as PC2010.2175.
Peace Parade, Atherton, World War One. 1918
Library Street
Wigan
WN11NU
| Tuesday | 10am - 4pm |
| Wednesday | 10am - 4pm |
| Thursday | 10am - 4pm |
| Friday | 10am - 4pm |
| Saturday | 10am - 2pm |
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Have you visited yet? our current exhibition Make Some Noise: From Stage Door to Dance Floor. The exhibition celebrates Wigan Borough`s entertainment history. Opening hours Tuesday - Friday 10-4, Saturday 10-2, and it`s #FREE
Have you done your Christmas shopping yet? when visiting the museum have a peruse in our gift shop from Uncle Joes to Wigan Casino gifts now in stock!
Christmas Crafts at the Museum of Wigan Life. Join us on Saturday 16th December 12-2 and make your own Victorian crafts! and follow the Christmas trail.
#musicmonday🎵 Museum of Wigan Life Have you been down to visit our current exhibition Make Some Noise: From Stage Door to Dance Floor? Celebrating Wigan Borough`s entertainment history. Opening hours Tuesday - Friday 10-4, Saturday 10-2
Have you visited Uncle Joe`s: Making Life Sweeter For Over 125 years exhibition yet? Come and view some of the never seen before artefacts, from the old style tins to building a robot from tins. #FREE on till Feb 2024, open Tuesday - Friday 10-4 and Saturday 10-2
Looking for something to do this #saturday look no further and come and visit the Museum of Wigan Life! @wiganlittletheatre are performing a selection from Jack & Jill this years Wigan Little Theatre`s pantomine. #free drop in, starts at 12 till 1
Have you visited Uncle Joe`s: Making Life Sweeter For Over 125 years exhibition yet? Come and view some of the never seen before artefacts, from the old style tins to building a robot from tins. #FREE on till Feb 2024, open Tuesday - Friday 10-4 and Saturday 10-2
Come and visit the Museum of Wigan Life on Saturday 25th November to see a select performance of the popular nursery rhyme Jack & Jill the pantomime! performed by Wigan Little Theatre its #FREE no need to book, just drop in. 12-1pm
The Museum of Wigan Life will be closed this Friday morning 10-12.30. We will re-open at 12.30 and the museum will be open as usual on 11th November. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
The Museum and Wigan Local Studies is closed all day. Normal hours resume tomorrow.
When visiting the Museum why not pursue our gift shop, we have Wigan Casino`s 50th anniversary memorabilia now in stock. Christmas gift ideas for any northern soul fan! opening hours Tuesday - Friday 10 - 4 and Saturday 10 - 2
50 Years on, The Soul Stays Strong An exhibition which explores the influences of Wigan Casino on contemporary culture with contributions from artists Dean Chalkley, William Titley and students from Wigan and Leigh College. Wigan Town Centre until 21st Oct Free open Thurs - Sat 10-4pm
Uncle Joe`s : Making Life Sweeter for over 125 years. Explore how this Wigan based company has kept us `all aglow` for 125 years. The display showcases never before seen objects.
Have you booked your place yet? Museum Minis, come and join us, with our relaxed and fun activities suitable for 0-5yrs £1.50 per child includes refreshments. Booking essential.
Have you visited us yet? Our current exhibition Make Some Noise. Open Tuesday - Friday 10-4 and Saturday 10-2
Uncle Joe`s Making Life Sweeter - Explore how the Wigan-based company has kept us `all aglow for 125 years. The display showcases never seen objects! On now till February 2024
Looking for something to do with your #littleones Come and join us at the Museum of Wigan Life every #wednesday for Museum Minis. Each week there will be a different themed #activity in a relaxed session full of engaging story telling, crafts and a sing along! Tomorrow`s session is `Friendship` £1.50 per child booking essential. To book contact us on 01942 828128 or [email protected]
Museum Minis is back tomorrow 10.30 - 11.45 come and join us at the Museum and enjoy a relaxed session! Tomorrows session is `This is Me` £1.50 per child , booking essential. To book contact us on 01942 828128 or [email protected]
Have you visited our current exhibition yet? Make Some Noise: From Stage Door to Dance Floor. Celebrating Wigan Borough`s entertainment history. #FREE
Museum Minis is #back come and join us at the Museum of Wigan Life each week for a different themed activity. The first session which starts on Wednesday 13th September is `This is Me` £1.50 per child booking essential. To book contact us on 01942 828128 or [email protected]
Shiver me timbers only one day to go until the pirates land at the Museum of Wigan Life, loads of #free #FamilyFriendly activities to take part in. Bring all your little pirates along and see if they are brave enough to walk the plank! Fancy dress optional
Have you visited us yet? pop down to the Museum of Wigan Life to see our current exhibition `Make Some Noise` From Stage Door to Dance Floor its #free celebrating Wigan Borough`s entertainment history.
#summeractivities☀️ Come and join us this Thursday for #pirateday with lots of #fun packed activities and ocean themed crafts #familyfun and its #FREE fancy dress optional!
#familyfriendly Visit the Museum of Wigan Life this Saturday and join in with our #wiganpride #FREE drop in activities from 10am-4pm
Light Night Wigan & Leigh Events Leigh Thursday 25th October 5.30pm - 8.30pm Wigan Saturday 27th October 5.30pm -8.30pm for more informtion about the event please click on the following link www.wigan.gov.uk/lightnight
