Wigan Borough Environment & Heritage Network
10.30 a.m. January 29th 2018 at Museum of Wigan Life.
Present:
David Shallcross (Leigh Ornithological Society), Derek Wilde (Wigan Family History
Society), Ken Barston (Stubshaw Cross Residents Group), Glenys McClellan (Leigh
Family History Society), John O’Neill (Greenheart), Bob Bruce (Lancashire
Mining Museum), Mary Pennington (Wigan Archaeology Society), Avis Freeman (Leigh
Soroptimists), Neil Forshaw (George Formby Society), Richard Sivill (Atherton
Heritage), Joe Taylor (Billinge History Society),
Guest Speaker - Hamish Jeffreson (Lancs Wildlife Trust).
Apologies:
Tom Price (Civic Trust), Peter Taylor (Civic Trust), Lynda Jackson (Wigan MBC),
Alex Miller (Wigan MBC), Barney Francis (Peterloo Memorial Project).
Hamish Jeffreson brought the meeting up to date with developments on the Birckershaw Project. The memorial for miners killed in the 1931 tragedy is on the back burner for now as no volunteer group has as yet been established and the trust can not apply for funding. Input from our network has helped establish various walks have been arranged. For details of dates contact Hamish on hjeffreson@lancswt.org.uk One thousand five hundred trees have been planted and a similar number will be planted on the 7th and 15th of March. The wetland development has been approved.
A discussion then took place with Hamish and members regarding the Bickershaw Project. David Shallcross gave input regarding birds.
Hamish agreed to keep the Network informed regarding future developments.
Barney Frances from the Peterloo Memorial Project sent apologies and will come to speak at a future meeting.
Members Reports:
Joe Taylor: The Association of Greater Manchester Trade Union Councils are considering promoting Peterloo and things related as a major topic. Funding has been secured to develop the memorial garden and is now in progress.
David Shallcross: L.O.S has written to the planning department regarding Swift,
Martin, and bat boxes reminding them of the presentation I gave to them
in there offices 18 months ago.
To date as far as we can see no new build or renovation projects have included
any of our proposals, despite many positive comments on the day.
A volunteer group for Pennington Flash which was set up 15months ago is
growing in numbers and has carried out many successful projects around
the Flash, it has received a grant from "The Deal" and a donation
from the Pennington Flash Photographic group.
Anyone wanting to join in please take a look at the groups Facebook page: Pennington
Flash Volunteers
Richard Sivill Congratulations to Neil Forshaw on producing another excellent
and informative calendar for 2018. Also for appearing on local television news
reports talking about WW1 project in Newton-le-Willows.
ATHERTON HERITAGE SOCIETY has a full programme arranged for 2018. In January
we had a talk about the West Ridings of Yorkshire. February the talk will be
“Two contrasting islands”, March “Bill Naughton Bolton Life”
and April “The Crown Jewels”.
TYLDESLEY TOP CHAPEL has been sold to Rapid Development CCTV and there are plans for it to be converted into a nursery.
TALKS: I have just completed four talks on the Suffrage movement entitled:
“The Long March” The history of the movement from 1830-1920
“The Pankhurst’s” Richard, Emmeline and their daughters.
The Garrett’s” The story of Dame Millicent Garrett Fawcett, feminist,
intellectual, politician and union leader. Her sister Elizabeth Garrett Anderson,
the first female doctor in Britain and her daughter Louisa, doctor and Chief
Surgeon of the Women’s Hospital Corp.
“Members of the Women’s Social and Political Union”. Whilst thousands
of words have been written about the role of the Pankhurst’s this talk
is about other members such as Annie Kenney, Edith Rigby, Lillian Forrester,
Annie Biggs and Evelyn Manesta.
Next Meeting 12th March.