Wigan Borough Environment & Heritage Network
10.30 a.m. December 3rd 2012 at Tudor House, Hindley
Present - John O'Neill (Greenheart Partnership Board), Avis Freeman (Leigh Soroptimists), Jan Johnston (LENDF), Vince French (Atherton), Jackie Roberts (Bridleways), Richard Sivill (Atherton Heritage), Glenys McClellan (Leigh Family History Society), Ken Barston (Stubshaw Cross Residents Group), Geoff Jones (Astley Green Colliery Museum), Tony Bishop (Leigh Ornithological Society, Tom Price (Wigan Civic Trust),
Apologies - Neil Forshaw (George Formby Society), Peter Taylor (Wigan Civic Trust), Peter Goodwin (Tradition Films), Marge Harrop (Leigh Family History Society), Dave Wilson (Bickershaw Conservation Group), David Shallcross (Leigh Ornithological Society/Chowbent Chapel), , Joe Taylor - Billinge History Society
The Chair, welcomed everyone to the meeting and made a presentation on behalf of the Network to Geoff Jones, who was unable to attend the celebration evening on the 1st of November, for his devoted work in maintaining and promoting the Colliery Museum over a long period as a unique example of the borough's mining past.
Announcements:
· Local History Day 2013 - Saturday 8th June
· Free Maps - www.cassinimaps.co.uk/findingmypast
· Douglas River Pilot Catchment Project - www.groundwork.co.uk
· Wigan Archaeology Society - Newsletter No 158
· Greenheart Calendar 2013 based on photo competition winning entries
· Network Posters - distribution for library displays
· War Memorial Restoration - warmemorial@telegraph.co.uk
Minutes of the last meeting: true and accurate
Matters Arising:
Network Celebration Evening
Those attending appreciated the Celebration Evening. Awards were given to Richard
Sivill, Geof Jones, Ken Barston , The Bridgers, Leigh Ornithological Society
and BETA together with the annual essay competition award (details and photographs
in the local press and current edition of Past Forward. Thanks were extended
to the museum staff, particularly Yvonne Webb, for their invaluable assistance.
Consideration will be given next year to earlier date, timing and car parking
arrangements.
Greenheart - Filling In The Gaps:
A discussion led by Richard Sivill and centered on the creation of presentations based on QR trails, videos etc via the coordination of existing information to highlight the interesting past of each local community within the regional park. (Richard is currently working on the heritage of the old Wigan Coal & Iron Co site at Kirkless).
A request was made for members to check available material in their areas and provide the information to Richard.
Any Other Business:
Waterloo Memorial as Bispham Hall - exploration of further possibilities for
its restoration to be undertaken including the establishment of a support group
Boer War Memorial - work on the replacement statue in Mesnes Park is making
excellent progress and should be placed on existing base in 2013
Leigh Ornithology Society - Tony Bishop reported on the establishment of a junior
section
Museum Events - disappointment expressed at lack of support for Saturday events
Date & Times of Next Meetings:
14th January, 25th February, 8th April, 20th May