The History of Wigan

Wigan has a rich heritage buried under a relatively brief period of intense grimy industrial activity based on the twin spoilers of cotton and coal.

In Medieval times Wigan was a pleasant town of local importance as one of the four ancient boroughs of Lancashire.

In 1788 it was a spa town - yes, people came to Wigan to "take the waters".

The underlying rich coal seams and the power of the fast flowing River Douglas led to increased prosperity but at great social cost.

Burgess plots were infilled with crowded, insanitary housing built to take the great influx of incomers, who were hoping to prosper in the new industrial age. Mills mushroomed along the banks of the Douglas and large areas of countryside were buried under vast mining enterprises and their associated spoil heaps and railway systems. Increased use of steam power polluted the atmosphere to an extent that is difficult for us now to imagine.

This intensely polluting age is over and Wigan is looking forward to a new era.

Interestingly almost 70% of the borough is open land. Old colliery sites have been converted to nature reserves and, in one case, a motor sport arena. Their railway systems are now pleasant pathways. The potentially horrendous effects of mining subsidence have in fact created the "Wigan Flashes" - flooded areas of importance to wild life. Nearby Pennington Flash is especially important for wild fowl. Surprisingly, there are four SSSI's (Sites of Special Scientific Interest) located within the borough.

Many mill buildings still stand. Several are used as warehouses. The Trencherfield Mill is part of the Wigan Pier Heritage complex and houses a large working steam engine, a display of textile machinery and the impressive Opie Collection.

The History Shop in Rodney Street has an art gallery, a small museum and an excellent local and family history research area.

Opinions about Wigan

"Wigan paved; as big as Warrington and better builded... Some merchants, some artificers, some farmers."
John Leland, 1536

(Wigan is) "a pretty market town built of stone and brick."Celia Fiennes, 1698

"I do not remember... ever to have seen so much misery and wretchedness, in such a small compass before."
William Dod, 1841

"At present the whole of the district is thickly populated, the industrial town of Wigan occupying the greater part of the township, whilst its collieries, factories etc., fill the atmosphere with smoke."
Victoria County History, 1911

"Metropolitan Wigan - an area where the best northern traditions of neighbourliness and a warm welcome die hard, yet where the old myths of industrial drabness have finally been laid to rest."Wigan Metropolitan Borough Web Site, 2000 www.wiganmbc.gov.uk

Wigan Spa

"Wigan Spa or New Harrogate is a strong sulphurous water, lately discovered in boring for coal in a field near the Scholes Bridge; it is said to greatly resemble the water of Harrogate in Yorkshire, only that it does not contain as much saline matter as that does; it contains a considerable quantity of very fine sulphur, and has been found useful in most complaints for which sulphur waters have been recommended; it has been made use of in a variety of complaints, and frequently with good effect: amongst others the following may be particularly mentioned: sore eyes, particularly those of long standing; old sore legs and other old sores; scald heads; the scurvy, itch and many other eruptions or cutaneous complaints, scrofulous sores etc; in all these disorders patients have frequently been known to obtain a perfect cure by use of this water. There is now a very elegant building erected for the use of those who resort to this spring, with convenience for drinking the water, and for using it either as a hot or cold bath."

The Travellers Companion (1788)

Reprinted in "Wigan - a Historical Souvenir" by Bob Blakeman, Sutton Publishing Ltd

Article by Adrian Morris

Very little is known about Wigan in the Prehistoric period. There are only 17 entries in the Sites and Monuments record and 10 of those are chance finds i.e. they could have be brought into the area from elsewhere at a later time. You can find more details of these finds in our Newsletter No. 22.

Around the district, however, there are just a few enigmatic sites which could possible claim great antiquity. These include "Toot Hill" at Bryn and "Boar's Den" at Wrightington. The latter is described as a Bronze Age bowl barrow 50m in diameter and 2.5m high. It has never been excavated and is now a scheduled monument.

Also in 2003 the University of Manchester's Archaeology Unit discovered a flint scraper in, what appeared to be, a large Prehistoric ditch when excavating the site at Gadbury Fold on the outskirts of Atherton. For more details of this see Newsletter No. 66. Subsequent environmental sampling, however, suggest the ditch was open in the early Medieval period (but this still may not necessarily disprove its antiquity).

1" OS map of 1829 showing Toot Hill (click image for larger view). The Sites and Monuments Record describes it as Prehistoric. The site has now disappeared under industrial development.

Flint Spear Head reputedly found in Cale Lane New Springs
(recently featured in Newsletter No. 100)

At the time of the Roman conquest (late 1st century AD) the Wigan area was occupied, it is thought, by a Celtic tribe known as the Setantii. This was a sub-group of the Brigantes, whose extensive territory included southern Scotland and northern England.

The continued presence of Celtic place names in the area suggests a lingering Celtic population in the face of Anglo-Saxon and later Viking incursions.

The origin of the town’s name has long been the subject of contention. Ekwall associates Wigan with the home of a local Celtic leader. However an article by Dr Breeze in the Lancashire History Quarterly suggests it was just the Celtic name for village or settlement. We reported on this and other historians explanations in our Newsletter 15. Recent research by Bob Blakeman, however, has tended to re-establish Wigan as a personal name (his article is entitled Who Was Wigan?).

There are other Celtic place names in the Wigan area. These include "Bryn" meaning hill, "Makerfield" and "Ince" meaning water meadow or island. In addition, Pemberton and Shevington possibly contain initial Celtic elements - "penno" meaning hill and "cefn" meaning ridge.

In the 18th century evidence of a battle between the Celtic British and Saxons was thought to have been found in the area of Wigan Pier (for more details see Q and A - Ancient Battle Site).

*Picutre from Castell Henllys Web site http://castellhenllys.pembrokeshirecoast.org.uk

Article by Adrian Morris and Bill Aldridge

Wigan was probably the site of the Roman station, Coccium, which is mentioned in the third century AD Antonine Itinerary.

It's easily defensible site made it a desirable location for settlement. Also it was midway between convenient river crossings on the Mersey and Ribble.

Three Roman roads have been traced in the Wigan area. They have been researched by the Wigan Archaeological Society. For a full report on this click here.

Other Roman finds include hordes of coins in 1690 and 1926 and cremation urns in 1822.
An excavation in the Wiend undertaken by Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit in 1982 unearthed remains of Roman buildings dating from the late first century AD. For further details see Newsletter 33.

In 2005, by far the most exciting Roman discoveries were made, when work on the Grand Arcade revealed extensive Roman remains in the Millgate area of the town. Subsequent investigation by Oxford Archaeology North uncovered a huge colonnaded building from the 2nd century AD. This was thought to be a Mansio - a Roman hotel. It contained a hypocaust and bath house. Close by was an earlier workshop with a series of hearths where lead was processed. Other Roman finds on the site include over 2,000 shards of pottery, much of it Samian ware, and 1.5 tons of building material.

For further information, check these links.
NL79 NL80 NL83 NL84 NL85

Article by Adrian Morris

Medieval Grave Slab next to Parish Church

Settlement in the Wigan area in Anglo-Saxon times is difficult to assess. David Mills, in his excellent book, “The Place Names of Lancashire”, suggests that the first Germanic incursions were from the north by the Northumbrians. The Mercians arrived later from the south.
The expulsion of the Scandinavians from Ireland in 902 led to resettlement in several mainland areas, including the west Lancashire plain. This is evidenced in place-names such as Skelmersdale and Burscough. Scholes, which is now part of Wigan is thought to have derived its name from the old Scandinavian word “skali” meaning hut. Four street names in the town centre (Millgate, Hallgate, Standishgate and Wallgate) are also indicative of Scandinavian influence – “gata” is Old Norse for street.

Wigan is not mentioned by name in the Domesday Book. In 1086 the town was part of the barony of "Neweton" (Newton-le-Willows) and it is thought that the phrase "the church of that manor", is a probable reference to Wigan parish church.

In 1246 Wigan achieved borough status by a charter of Henry III and was equal in standing to Liverpool, Preston and Lancaster.

Bell founding and pewter making were in evidence in the late medieval period.

One of the few medieval remains in Wigan is Mab's Cross which stands in Wigan Lane. It is associated with Lady Mabel Bradshaw. A legend states that she remarried as her husband, Sir William Bradshaw, had failed to return from a crusade. On his eventually reappearance, Sir William killed the usurper. Mabel did penance for her unwitting bigamy by walking, once a week, barefoot and barelegged from her home at Haigh to the cross in Wigan which now bears her name. To read this Legend click here.

The truth, however, is somewhat different. William Bradshaw was not a hero of the crusades - there were none at that time. He was, in fact, a violent, unsavoury character who disappeared in 1315 after being declared an outlaw, following his participation in a rebellion against the Earl of Lancaster. He returned to Haigh in about 1322 but was killed in a fight in 1333. Read "Mab's Cross Legend and Reality" by Bob Blakeman.

More details of goings-on at this time can be found in a Newsletter article (No.3) by Adrian Morris about Medieval Abram.

In 1984 excavations in the Wiend area of Wigan revealed a medieval well (see Newsletter No.33).

In 2003 the the University of Manchester's Archaeology Unit discovered a large Medival settlement when excavating the site at Gadbury Fold on the outskirts of Atherton (see Newsletter No.66).
In 2005, a dig in the Millgate area by Oxford Archaeology North revealed 13th century medieval pits with pottery (see Newsletter No.84).

All Saint's Parish Church

After the Conquest, Wigan lay in the area known as Makerfield in the ancient Hundred of West Derby and was held for the King by two barons, Banastre and Grelley who had their chief manors at Warrington and Newton. Under them were tenants of the individual manors such as Hugh, son of Henry de Tyldesley, Alfred de Ince and Richard de Orell (MBWOH p26).

Churches at that time were founded by these feudal lords who appointed the rectors. The first known rector of Wigan (and also lord of the Manor) was Ranulf, treasurer of Salisbury, in 1199. Standish's first know rector was Alexander de Standish in 1206 (Blakeman p18).

Wigan's All Saints' had become the established parish church by the beginning of the 13th century and was one of only three ancient churches in the area (the others being at Leigh and Standish). This remained the case until the 17th century when chapelries were established in the surrounding villages of Hindley, Ashton, Atherton and Astley (GMAU p21).

The present church we see today was re-built in 1849 on the original ground plan of the Medieval structure and is said to be a direct copy of it. The only parts that remain of the previous church are the tower, which itself has seen a number of alterations over the years, the rood turrets and the Walmesley Chapel (which has Medieval stained glass in its windows).

For more information see:
P J Layland’s ‘Some notes on the Historical Development of Wigan Parish Church’
And also Wigan Parish Church website here

References:

MBWOH - The Metropolitan Borough of Wigan Official Handbook - ED J Burrow & Co. Ltd 1977

Blakeman - Wigan A Historical Souvenir - Bob Blakeman - Sutton Publishing Ltd 1996

GMAU - The Greater Manchester Archaeological Unit Annual Journal 1985 -

Article by Bill Aldridge

During the Civil War Wigan remained loyal to the monarchy.

The Earl of Derby, an influential royalist, was based in the town. In 1643 Wigan was captured by a parliamentary force which looted the Moot Hall and church. The town's defences were dismantled.

On 25th August 1651 while approaching Wigan, Derby's troops were surprised in Wigan Lane, to the north of the town, by a Parliamentary force led by Colonel Robert Lilburne.

A fierce, closely fought battle ensued on the banks of the River Douglas.

Eventually Lilburne gained the upper hand and Derby was forced to seek refuge in the town.

The short, brutal encounter led to many casualties including the death of the local royalist officer Sir Thomas Tyldesley.

A monument to him marks the site of the battle.

Charles II presented Wigan with a sword bearing the royal coat-of-arms as appreciation of the borough's loyalty at this time.

Eyewitness Account of the Battle of Wigan Lane

"Wigan, 15th August, 1651.
Honoured Sir, -The Lord hath pleased, this day to appear for us, in the totall rout and overthrow of the Lord of Derby and his forces, which was increased to about 1,500. He himself, though wounded, escaped, though narrowly. I would only entreat you to send out what horse you have or can get, to ride up and downe the country to gather up stragglers. I cannot enlarge myself at present, but I entreat you to accept of this from him that desires to expresse himself. Your ammunition is come safe. The Lord of Derby I heare is fled towards Bolton, but his sumptures and tresure are here. We intended for Manchester this night, and had hopes to take my Lord Generall's regiment of foot, and to have had five hundred men in readinesse to joyne with them. The Lord Witherington cannot live long. Colonell Boynton and Tyldesley are slaine, and others very considerable. I have divers colonels prisoners.

Your very humble Servant, ROBERT LILBURNE."

From "A History of Wigan" vol II by David Sinclair 1883
Reprinted as "The Battle of Wigan Lane" by Smiths Books 1987

Article by Adrian Morris

Canal Boat Near Wigan Pier

Mining has been carried out in the Wigan area from the earliest of times. For example coal mining in the Winstanley area dates back to around 1507 (see article by A G Mitchell).

In 1540, John Leland, the famous traveller visited Wigan. He noted early coal mines in the area: "Mr. Bradshaw hath a place caulled Hawe (Haigh) a Myle from Wigan. He hath founde moche Canal like Se Coole in his Grounde very profitable..."

"Canal" or "cannel" was a very efficient, clean coal which burned with little waste.

By 1742 the River Douglas had been made navigable and coal could be transported to Tarleton at the mouth of the River Ribble. From here it was taken down the coast to Liverpool on larger, sea-going vessels.

In 1774 the Leeds-Liverpool Canal superseded the Douglas Navigation so increasing the accessibility of the new urban markets.

This led to a rapid increase in the number and size of mining operations in Wigan and a large rise in the population of the district.

The advent of the railways in the 1840's led to the demise of the water transport.

Early mines were very simple.

One shaft was sunk from the surface to the seam. Colliers excavated the coal at the bottom of the shaft until collapse was imminent. Because of the shape of the excavation such mines were called "bell mines".

Another shaft was then started from the surface a few yards away.

Later, tunnels were made through the seams and a larger area of coal could be worked from a single shaft.

Colliers won the coal from the seams. It was put into baskets which were loaded onto sledges and dragged by "drawers" to the bottom of the shaft. Coal tubs were used later.

A team worked under the leadership of a collier, and was paid by him from his earnings which were calculated by the amount of coal gained. Members of the team were often the wife and children of the collier.

Coal mining was a difficult and dangerous occupation. Many miners lost their lives in roof falls, explosions and other accidents.

Statement by a "trapper" aged 8 years, 1842

To disperse gas, trapdoors were placed at intervals in mine tunnels to encourage airflow in a particular direction . "Trappers" were children, some as young as six, employed to open and shut these doors to allow "drawers" to pass with their coal tubs.

"I have to trap without a light and I'm scared, I go at four and sometimes half past three in the morning and come out at five and half past in the evening. I never go to sleep. Sometimes I sing when I've a light, but not in the dark; I dare not sing then."

from "First Report of the Commission on Children and Young Persons"

Opening of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal

"On Wednesday last, the part of the Leeds canal between Liverpool and Wigan was opened with great festivity and rejoicings. The water had been let into the basin the evening before. At nine, the proprietors sailed up the canal on their barge, preceded by another filled with music with flying colours etc. and returned about one. They were saluted by two Royal Salutes of twenty-one guns each besides the swivels on board the boats and welcomed with the repeated shouts of the numerous crowds assembled on the banks who made a most cheerful and agreeable sight. The gentlemen then adjourned to a tent where a cold collation was provided for them and their friends. From thence they went in procession to George's Coffee House where an elegant dinner was provided. The workmen 215 in number walked first with their tools on their shoulders and cockades in their hats and were afterwards plentifully regaled of a dinner provided for them. The bells rang all day and the greatest joy and order prevailed on the occasion."

from the "Leeds Intelligencer", 8th October 1774
quoted in "The Orrell Coalfield, Lancashire 1740-1850" by D. Anderson, Moorland Publishing Company.

To read about possible Roman coal mining

.

Article by Adrian Morris

The early history of textiles in Wigan is obscure but cotton goods were certainly manufactured here in the 17th century.

This early industry was probably home based. It is likely that local handweavers bought cotton yarn from the Cloth Hall in Wigan and wove it to predetermined specifications. They returned to the Hall to sell their products to mercers.

Wigan weavers worked in cellars located under their cottages. There were many handloom workers in the outlying districts of Wigan but the industry was concentrated in Wigan Lane and Chapel Lane.

The efficiency of the weaving process was greatly increased in 1733 by John Kay's invention of the "flying shuttle". This led to an escalation of technology and the birth of the factory system.

The River Douglas was an ideal source of power for the early water driven machines and by 1818 eight small cotton mills had been established in Wigan, mostly around Wallgate.

Handweavers continued to work in the area until the 1840's but they could not compete with the factory system and their income decreased drastically.
The Handweavers' Plight
"The cotton weavers who reside principally in the neighbourhood of Bolton, Chorley, Wigan, Blackburn, Haslingden, Padiham, Burnley, Colne and Todmorden are by far the most wretched body in this part of the country. The number of cotton weavers in the places above mentioned must exceed 60,000 and probably is near 100,000 and the utmost sum they can earn per week, on a fair average working diligently from six (am) till eight (pm), allowing out of that time an hour and a half for meals, is only 4 shillings (20p)*, even if the loom be their own, but if they have to hire the loom, they pay tenpence (4p) a week for it, and they must also buy shuttles etc, and keep the loom in repair. Great numbers cannot earn two shillings and six pence, (12½p) three shillings (15p) or three shillings and sixpence (17½p) per week."

Extract from the Liverpool Commercial Chronicle, April 24th 1826

To put these prices into perspective, in 1826 a pound of bread cost 2d (just less than 1p) and a pound of butter 1s (5p).

*In 1820 average earnings for handloom weavers were approximately 15s to 16s per week (75p to 80p).
In 1790 the wages were approximately 30s (£1.50) per week.
by 1826 Handloom weavers had seen their income decrease to 25% of the 1790 rates.

Article by Adrian Morris

The report of the Children's Employment Commission in 1842 highlighted the atrocious conditions experienced in the mines of the time. Women and children were stopped from working underground soon after.

By the mid 19th century mines were becoming larger and were gaining coal from deeper underground.

"Shot Lighters" drilled holes in the coal and filled them with gunpowder. This was exploded and the coal was brought down. It was then loaded into tubs which the "drawers" moved from the coal faces. Ponies were used where the roadways were wider. The tubs were loaded onto "cages" (lifts) and taken to the surface where the coal was sorted before being transported from the mine by rail.

Mining was a dangerous occupation. Reverend Joshua Paley stated in 1842, "There are very few families in which one or more deaths have not occurred from accidents in the pits."

Multiple deaths occurring from explosions of "firedamp" (methane) were frequent. On August 18th 1908, for example, 76 miners were killed in an explosion at the Maypole Colliery Abram, Wigan. As late as 1979 ten miners were killed at Golborne.

In the early 20th century there were about 50 mines in the Wigan District employing about 30,000 miners.

Wigan's mining history ended with the closure of Bickershaw Colliery in 1992.

Conditions in the Mines 1841
No. 92 - Rosa Lucas, nearly 18 years old, at Mr. Morris's, Lamberhead Green, (Wigan) May 19th, 1841.

You are a drawer, I believe, when at work? - Yes, I am.
Where do you work? - At Mr. Morris's. I used at work at Blundell's.
What age were you when you first began to work in the pits? - I was about 11, I think.

Do you work at night in Morris's pits? - Yes, when I was able to work. I worked one week in the day time and the next at night, the same as the drawers did.

Are there any children in the pit where you work? - Oh, yes, both little and big, some not older or bigger than him [pointing to a little boy of six or seven years old]; they put them to tenting air-doors.

What hours do you work? - I go down between three and four in the morning and sometimes I have done by five o'clock in the afternoon, and sometimes sooner.

Have you any fixed hour for dinner? - Yes, we have an hour for dinner in the day-time, but we don't stop at night.

When you are working the night turn, what hours do you work? - I go at two o'clock in the afternoon, and sometimes three. I come up it will be about three o'clock in the morning, and sometimes before.

You have no regular times for meals at night? - No we never stop at night.

Do you find the work very hard? - Yes, it is very hard work for a woman. I have been so tired many a time that I could scarcely wash myself. I was obliged to leave Mr. Blundell's pit, it was so hot, and my work was a deal harder; I could scarcely ever wash myself at night, I was so tired; and I felt very dull and stiff when I set off in the morning.

What distance did you draw? - 23 score yards in length.

That is 460 yards each way, or 920 yards? - Yes

How many times had you to draw this distance? - 16 and sometimes 18 times [Taking 16 times, she would have to draw 14,720 yards daily.]

Have you ever had many accidents besides the one you are now suffering from? - Yes, I had once a great big hole in my other leg. I thought it was the water that did it, for I was working in a wet place then.
Are Mr. Morris's pits dry? - Yes, very dry.

How did the accident happen you are now suffering from? - I was sitting on the edge of a tub at the bottom, and a great stone fell from the roof on my foot and ankle, and crushed it to pieces, and I was obliged to be taken off.

Have you ever seen the drawers beaten? - Yes, some gets beaten. Mary Tuity gets beaten nearly every day.

What do they beat her with? - A pick-arm.

What do they beat her for? - I suppose it is for 'sauce'; she has a very saucy tongue.
What age is she? - She is 23 years old.

What is your father? - He was a collier, but he was killed in a coal-pit. I go past the place where he was killed many a time when I am working, and sometimes I think I see something.

Extract from "Children In The Mines, The Children's Employment Commission of 1842."
Published in 1995 by Ian Winstanley, PICK PUBLISHING. www.cmhrc.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

Article by Adrian Morris

In 1818 William Woods introduced the first power looms in Wigan. At this time there was much industrial unrest as out of work hand weavers attacked mills which were using the new technology.

Even though the conditions in Wigan mills were particularly appalling they avoided much of the unrest by installing armaments during times of trouble.

Children as young as eight worked long hours. Those who fell asleep were beaten with a strap.

One notorious owner was Thomas Darwell who started the Sovereign Mills. He and his partner were reprimanded for making children under 16 work from 5am until 9pm. His cruelty is surprising as he began his working life as a cotton spinner.

His malevolence did not affect his standing in the town as he became mayor in 1824 and again in 1830.

As the century progressed mills grew larger and more elaborate with steam power becoming the main motive source. After the 1914-18 war there was a boom followed by a slump from which Wigan's textile industry did not recover.

The May Mill was the last working cotton mill in Wigan. It closed in 1980.

Early 19th Century Poem about the Sovereign Mills
"Those Sovren Mills, Those Sovren Mills
If you go there you'll get no ills:
For daily working fourteen hours
Will only renovate your powers."
author unknown

Article by Adrian Morris

Outsiders think of Wigan as a grim northern town noted for coal mines, cotton mills, cobbled streets, rugby league and, of course, Wigan Pier.

Possibly this image had some validity when applied to the town as it was in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

But, where once there were at least 1000 mines within in a 5 mile radius of the town centre, none remain. Many of the old sites and associated railways are nature conservation areas and pleasant pathways.

Similarly, the cotton industry met its demise some years ago. Many mills are still standing but now function as industrial units, flats etc.

Wigan Pier became a museum and an award winning heritage centre and in its latest incarnation it's planned to become a vibrant cultural and residential centre (Manchester Evening News)

Article by Adrian Morris

Wigan Pier

Wigan Pier is a joke - isn't it? Not quite!

A "pier", in this context, is a device for tipping the contents of coal trucks onto canal boats. There were once many such devices in the Wigan area.

"Wigan Pier" is situated on the Leeds-Liverpool canal near the centre of the town. Around it grew a series of associated warehouses.

The "joke" is thought to have originated in a music hall act performed by George Formby Senior in which he talked of Wigan Pier in the same terms as the seaside pleasure piers in nearby Blackpool and Southport.

George Orwell perpetuated the false conception in his book "The Road to Wigan Pier", in which he portrayed the dismal side of the town and ignored the positive aspects of life in a working class community.

By the mid 20th century the area around the pier had become derelict.

But in the mid 1980's the area was redeveloped as part of an award winning heritage centre which attracts many visitors.

by Adrian Morris

By the turn of 21st century the popularity of this complex which included the Way We Were Museum, The Orwell public house and Education Centre had waned and it eventually closed in 2007.

In recent years a new chapter is unfolding for this iconic Wigan landmark with a new development which is hoped to transform it into a vibrant cultural and residential centre.

The Original Wigan Pier

Here is an extract from Wigan Pier by Derek Winstanley and Bill Aldridge

The story goes that in 1891 an excursion train to Southport got delayed on the outskirts of Wigan not long after leaving Wallgate Station. At that time a long wooden gantry or trestle carried a mineral line from Lamb and Moore's Newtown Colliery on Scot Lane, to their Meadows Colliery in Frog Lane (where the Council refuse centre is now). This gantry was quite a structure as it had to span the Douglas valley crossing the river, the canal and the main rail line to Southport. As the delayed train waited for the signals to change one of the travellers remarked "where the b... hell are we?" and the reply became the basis for the immortal joke about the Wigan's Pier. George Formby Senior perpetuated the joke around the turn of the century in the music halls in Wigan adding that when he passed the Pier he noticed the tide was in (referring to the constant flooding in the low-lying area). George died in December 1920 and, with the demise of the collieries in the area, the gantry had long passed out of existence. Therefore when people looked for the Pier, the tippler for coal wagons at the canal terminus became the chosen object of the joke. This too was demolished when it became redundant in 1929. So when George Orwell, of "Road to Wigan Pier" fame, came to publish his book seven years later, he had to admit no such pier existed. Since then, of course, a replica tippler has been erected on the site of the old one and the whole area has become today's attractive cultural centre. But how many people realise its true origin?

by Bill Aldridge

Since 1974, Wigan has been a borough in the Metropolitan County of Greater Manchester. It's population of 310,000 is centred mainly in the large towns of Wigan and Leigh, but incorporates many smaller communities.

Despite their Manchester connections most Wiganers still regard themselves as Lancastrian.

The pleasant town centre was rebuilt in the early part of the 20th century and was enhanced in the late 1980's by the addition of the Galleries shopping centre.

Another recent addition to the town is the Robin Park sports centre, which includes the JJB Stadium, home of Wigan Rugby League and Wigan Athletic.

The town's proximity to an extensive motorway system, and available work force, make it an attractive proposition for new investment.

One of the regions largest employers is H.J. Heinz who opened a factory at Kit Green in 1959. Other large companies are, JJB Sports, Shearings Holiday bus and coach company, Patak's Indian sauces and chutneys, Townsend Cycles and Reality.

Article by Adrian Morris