Interesting updates and information from the team at Archives.
Read MoreWigan Building Preservation Trust
Wigan's rich history, architecture and heritage, waiting to be discovered
ARCHIVES: WIGAN & LEIGH
Resources available and News at the Archives
Hello and welcome to Wigan Council's What's On Guide for Autumn - Winter 2025!
Read MoreThe Wigan Archives Service has well over 500,000 documents, photographs, maps and historic books in our collections. See more ...,
Read MoreThanks to volunteer Marianne Howell for providing an easier way to find and open articles from the back copies of PastForward.
Read MoreA Searchable Reference List Of Documents, Books and Collections that are held by Archives.
Read MoreThe Archives has recently created an index of maps and a list of hard copy ordnance survey maps available at the Archives
Read MoreFriends of Waterhouse Chapels
Wigan Building Preservation Trust is forming a Friends Group to support the restoration of the neglected Ince Cemetery Chapels, the first public works of the renowned Victorian architect Alfred Waterhouse This project is more than a restoration — it’s a journey into the rich history of Ince and its heritage. Celebrating the past can help shape a vibrant future for the Chapels and we would love you to be part of it.
An overview of the project to investigate the restoration of the Chapels at Ince Cemetery, designed by the eminent Victorian architect, Alfred Waterhouse in 1855.
Read MoreA brief article describing the original reasons for building the chapels and the appointment of Alfred Waterhouse as architect and the costs, plus the evolution of churches in Ince.
Read MoreThis newsletter highlights key developments, ongoing collaborations, and upcoming events that celebrate Ince’s rich heritage and the unique legacy of Alfred Waterhouse and his chapels.
Read MoreLots of articles and resources from our volunteers and friends, charting some of the history of Ince
Read MoreJoining the Friends group means helping to preserve a key asset of the heritage of Ince. Friends will receive regular updates to heritage talks and guided tours.
Read MoreFriends of Waterhouse Chapels invite you to a couple of Ince Tours, Ince Heritage Tour and Ince Cemetery Tour, to celebrate Heritage Open Days.
Read MoreFew realise that his first public commission came not in a great city, but in the quiet township of Ince-in-Makerfield. In this spirit, we imagine what Alfred Waterhouse might say if he could see his first public buildings as they are today — and what hopes he might hold for their future.
Read MoreThe Manchester School of Architecture contributed to the Waterhouse Chapels project through its MSA Live programme, where students were actively involved in researching and articulating possible programme opportunities for the site.
Read MoreFind your family, and neighbours from this comprehensive list of Ince streets in 1968.
Read MoreArticles
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.
Resources
Material that could assist in the research and appreciation of the history and heritage of Wigan.
Find 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 MoreA collection of articles and resources relating to the history of the Hall, the people and the wider estate of Haigh
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.
Read MoreFilms, videos and presentations on Wigan from early times to the present day, a long list. Enjoy! Any favourites?
Read MoreGraham Taylor specialises in military history, telling the stories of local regiments, the soldiers that served in them, and of their families and communities from the early 19th century to modern day. Also topics of local interest including heritage buildings, establishments and individuals.
Read MoreRecollections and memories of growing up in Wigan in the 1950s & 1960s.
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 MoreThe Makerfield Rambler - Anthony Pilgrim takes us on his rambles around Ashton-in-Makerfield and the surrounding districts, investigating historical events, locations, and personalities.
Read MoreHeritage Productions
Two Chapels, both Grade II Listed, were designed by Alfred Waterhouse. Alfred Waterhouse was born in Aigburth, Liverpool. The chapels were his first public works, and from the very beginning, he was set to be much more than a provincial architect. This presentation provides an overview of their current condition in 2024, along with historical and heritage findings.
A view of the building coupled with historical research and history of this once beautiful building. A masterpiece of design for all to see on the sky-line of Wigan. A very real link to the prosperity and development of Wigan. A 2 minute time capsule.
The High Street Heritage Action Zone of Wigan, focuses on King Street within the Wigan Town Centre Conservation Area. The conservation area was first designated in 1980 and covers around 10 hectares of the town centre.
Queen's Hall Project
The Queens Hall is a grade 2 listed building, and as such, needs urgent action to repair the "at-risk" façade sympathetically.
Read MoreVideo highlighting the need for sympathetic renovation and restoration of this iconic building. The Queens Hall has been a landmark in Wigan since 1907
Read MoreOur history spans decades and we are proud of our heritage which began in Wigan as Queen’s Hall Methodist Mission.
Read MoreThe Queen’s Hall is honoured to have two plaques dedicated to Wigan Athletic and Margery Booth reflecting the building’s contribution to the heritage and culture of Wigan. Also a trailer and a documentary of Margery Booth.
Read MoreKing Street Heritage Action ZONE
"The Street That Was" - King Street Heritage Action Zone
Wigan Building Preservation Trust is very proud to be invited to contribute to the King Street Heritage Zone project.
Read MoreThe Heritage Action Zone covers the area around King Street. It is packed with important historical buildings, there are already 10 listed buildings in the zone and at least another 20 that are historically important.
Read MoreThe Trust believes it is important to identify the "Lost Buildings" of the Street to evoke the memories and the contribution of these buildings to the rich history and heritage of Wigan.
Read MorePen portraits of people who built, lived, worked and worshipped in King Street since it was established in the 1780's.
Read MoreTo some people it just seems like yesterday, but it's over 50 years ago! If you have any memories of the Street in the 1960's let us know by using the Comments box
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