This Is Westhoughton

Are you one of Westhoughton's unsung heroes who regularly go litter picking in our town? If so, the Council would like to invite you for a brew and cake at Carnegie Hall tomorrow morning (Saturday 6th) between 10.30am and 12noon!
If you're interested please contact Cllr Wroe, Cllr McGeown, Cllr Jackson or the Town Clerk (07921862603).

The Rotary Club of Westhoughton Christmas Sleigh Appeal raised an amazing total of £6,249, which will be donated to local charities and organisations in the spring time.

The total raised exceeded that of the previous year.

Well done to all involved 👏

We would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, and all the best for a blessed and peaceful New Year!

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE PRETORIA PIT DISASTER

Remembrance events take place every year on 21 December. This year marks the 113th anniversary.

At the time of the disaster on 21 December 1910, Westhoughton was a small town and a well connected community. A total of 344 men and boys lost their lives with many more injured when at 07:50, there was an underground explosion in the Plodder Mine.

The youngest person to die was 13 year old haulage hand Frederick Stanley Houghton from Manchester Road, Chequerbent, who was killed on what was his first day down the pit.

The oldest men to die were 62 year old rescuer William Turton, and 61 year old fireman Thomas Greenhalgh from Park Road, Westhoughton.

Most families in Westhoughton knew someone affected by the disaster.

The impact was truly devastating for the town and marked the third worst UK mining disaster. It is commemorated with a Civic Event organised by the Town Council.

07:40 - A Service of Remembrance takes place at the Pretoria Pit Statue (Ditchfield Gardens) with maroons sounding at 07:50 to mark the time of the explosion and wreaths are laid.

10:00 - A formal church service takes place at St. Bartholomew's to pay homage to the victims of the disaster, after which wreaths are laid at the pit memorial in the graveyard.

14:00 - At the Atherton Memorial, there is a further memorial event organised by Over Hulton Community Group with music and readings.

#1910

DID YOU KNOW?

The Hargreaves Memorial School (commonly referred to as Hart Common CE Primary School) moved to The Hoskers, in 1996 - now known as St. George's CE Primary School.

The school was closed and relocated due to growing pupil numbers. The stained glass windows and war memorial panels were transferred to the new school.

The foundation stone for the Hargreaves Memorial School was laid on 3 August 1878 - it can now be found outside of the reception at St. George's CE Primary School, alongside the new schools very own foundation stone (see photos below).

The Hargreaves Memorial School opened on Monday 10 March 1879, with 34 children being admitted, who were taught by a single, certified teacher.

The Hargreaves family - who paid for the school - lived at Hart Common Farm and became extremely rich through their business as carriers of cotton goods etc initially by mule, horse and cart, canals, railways and eventually road, growing to national significance. One of the Hargreaves family was involved with the development of the Bolton – Leigh railway as well as the Soho Iron works in Bolton, which also was nationally known.

In 1996, following the move to The Hoskers, the Hargreaves Memorial Building was sold to a Christian Fellowship Church.

FREE DISCO THIS SATURDAY (16TH) - OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

This Saturday at The Den - the home of Westhoughton Lions, there is a *FREE* to attend Christmas Disco.

Head along and see the new clubhouse with the family and grab a drink (or two!) from their fully licensed bar.

📅 Saturday 16 December
🕙 19:00
📌 The Den, Cunningham Road, Westhoughton, BL5 2AN
🎟 Reserve your places now via the link: www.ticketsource.co.uk/westhoughtonlions

FREE PUBLIC EVENT!

Santa's Grotto at The Den, Cunningham Road - the home of Westhoughton Lions.

Open to everyone and free to attend. Reserve your space now!

Please share with the local community and lets get as many children down as possible.

📅 Saturday 16 December
🕙 10:30 - 15:00
📌 The Den, Cunningham Road, Westhoughton, BL5 2AN
🎟 Reserve a place via the link: www.ticketsource.co.uk/westhoughtonlions

SNYDALE HILL WATER TOWER

One of Westhoughton's most infamous landmarks - when you spot the Snydale Water Tower from the M61 motorway, you know you're almost home!

Here is a bit of background for the unique building, which is now a private dwelling.

In 1878, an Act of Parliament secured a perpetual supply of water to Westhoughton at 6d per 1,000 gallons.

Prior to 1915, there were complaints of a poor water supply. Councillor Basnett is recorded as stating that the North of Westhoughton could never get sufficient supply of water on a Monday - which was then commonly 'washing day'.

As a result, a water tank was built at Snydale Hill.

The structure was originally built by the local council in 1914 and for many years it operated as a conventional water tower.

The top water level was at 530ft and gave a constant water pressure throughout Westhoughton. The tank's capacity was 200,000 gallons - roughly one day's supply.

In 1980, an underground reservoir was completed making the old tower obselete. The tower was sold and plans were passed to convert it into a private dwelling, as it is today.

You will notice on one of the photos below, from circa 1939, that there is a tram going past the water tower on what was, at the time, the main road between Bolton and Westhoughton.

Nowadays, following the building of the M61 motorway junction at Westhoughton, this road is cut off not far over the hill you can see, so the only traffic using the road is that going to the houses on what is now a "cul-de-sac".

'An Afternoon with Father Christmas' at Westhoughton Parish Church.

📅 Saturday 9 December
🕙 14:00 - 16:00
📌 St. Bartholomew's Church, Church Street, Westhoughton, Bolton, BL5 2BG
🎟 £5 per child

For tickets, please see contact numbers in the photo below 👇

How many of these Lancashire phrases do you use on a weekly basis?

🌹

POPPY APPEAL

Westhoughton Poppy Appeal have confirmed that an amazing £17,500 was raised by Westhoughton residents in this year's appeal!

Well done everyone involved and of course to those who donated 👏👏👏

🎅🎄COMMUNITY CHRISTMAS MARKET🎄🎅

The Hub At Westhoughton is hosting a Community Christmas Market this coming Saturday, 25 November.

There will be a variety of stalls, and even an opportunity to meet Santa in his grotto!

📅 Saturday 25 November
🕙 11:00 - 17:00
📌 The Hub At Westhoughton, Central Drive, Westhoughton, BL5 3DS

FRANCIS LEE BOOK OF CONDOLENCE

A book of condolence for Francis Lee is now in Westhoughton Library and available to the public for signing.

The former Bolton Wanderers, Manchester City, Derby County and England striker was born in Westhoughton on 29 April 1944, and passed away recently on 2 October 2023.

Lee represented England 27 times, scoring 10 goals.

In 2010, he was inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame.

WESTHOUGHTON RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION

Are you aware of the recently established, Westhoughton Residents Association?

The Association aims to provide an independent, collective voice in Westhoughton, focusing on local issues and seeking to drive change.

Head over to their page and give them a like and a follow!

🎄CHRISTMAS FAIR 🎄

This Saturday, at St. James Church (Daisy Hill), there is a Christmas Fair.

🕙 10:00 til 13:00
📌 St. James Church, Daisy Hill

All are welcome!

🎅 CHRISTMAS SLEIGH ROUTES 🎅

The Rotary Club of Westhoughton have announced their Christmas Sleigh Routes for 2023.

Please see below 👇

WESTHOUGHTON TOWN HALL

Westhoughton Town Hall was built at a cost of £4,922 and the foundation stones were laid in 1903.

The architects of the building were the Bolton firm of Bradshaw and Gass.

The imposing building was built using Ruabon terracotta bricks, which were said to withstand the effects of smoke and dirt of an industrial town.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY 2023

Well done, Westhoughton 👏 👏 👏

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.”

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

By John McCrae

IN REMEMBRANCE OF KINGSMAN DARREN DEADY

Kingsman Darren Deady was born in Bolton on 18 January 1988 into a large Lancastrian family. He joined the Army in October 2008 shortly after leaving school determined to join his local infantry regiment, The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment.

On completion of the tough and arduous Combat Infantryman’s Course at the Infantry Training Centre in Catterick, he moved to Cyprus where he joined Arnhem Company of 2nd Battalion The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment in Spring 2009, just in time for the commencement of pre-deployment training for the battalion’s Theatre Reserve role.

A Theatre Reserve Battalion provides acclimatised troops over a 12-month period as the UK’s high readiness operational reserve. On completion of a busy and challenging period of preparation Kingsman Deady deployed with his company to southern Helmand, going straight to Nad ‘Ali as part of Operation MOSHTARAK in February 2010.

He had an excellent tour and shone amongst his peers for his beaming sense of humour which remained in tact in the face of adversity, something for which he became famous and which had the most positive and enduring effect on all those that knew him.

After returning to Cyprus the battalion was deployed again and in July Arnhem Company returned to the Nahr-e Saraj region of central Helmand.

On 23 August 2010, Kingsman Deady was wounded in action fighting to defend a compound as part of Operation KAPCHA AMIQ 1, an operation to protect soldiers and civilians who are improving the infrastructure for the people of Nahr-e Saraj.

Arnhem Company were protecting a vital location when they came under prolonged, intense small arms and rocket-propelled gr***de fire. Kingsman Deady was fatally wounded fighting alongside his fellow soldiers. He was given exceptional first aid at the point of wounding by his friends, which kept him alive, before being evacuated to the hospital in Camp Bastion and subsequently to the UK for further treatment.

On 10 September 2010, with his family present, he died of his wounds at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. Kingsman Deady was a small man with an irrepressible sense of humour. He had a great talent for finding humour and making light of the darkest situations.

A young soldier with huge character, very popular and well-respected, he was well-known across the battalion. His dedication and commitment to those around him earned him the unquestionable loyalty of those who worked with him. His tragic loss has been extremely hard to bear for all those that had the privilege to meet him; he will never be forgotten.

Kingsman Deady’s family said:

We would like to thank you all for your support through these difficult times, they have been hard for everyone. I now hope you will join us in celebration of Darren’s life.

“We lost a wonderful son, brother, uncle, grandson and friend; he is going to be missed by all. At this moment we are experiencing the hardest times of our life.

"Darren was proud to do a job that he loved and most of all believed in; his little brother once turned round to him and asked him ‘Why do you fight?’ and Darren simply replied ‘To make a difference’.

"The Army and hospital staff have been amazing and really have looked after us and supported us, nothing was ever too much trouble for them and we are eternally grateful to all involved.

"The other families we have met through this journey have been a tower of strength and we wish them all the best. There is only one thing left to say now - ‘Please Don’t Forget Him’. RIP Darren Deady, you will be missed."

Today, Kingsman Deady’s memory lives on in the The Darren Deady Foundation CIC - a volunteer team of forces veterans and civvies with the sole aim, to reach out and help all, giving hope and help for free to those who need it.

Sources:
https://www.gov.uk/government/fatalities/kingsman-darren-deady-dies-of-wounds-sustained-in-afghanistan

https://ddeadyfoundation.co.uk/

🎅 FAMILY CHRISTMAS PARTY 🎅

The Hub At Westhoughton are holding a Family Christmas Party.

📅 Sunday 10 December
🕙 12:00 - 14:00
📌 The Hub, Central Drive, Westhoughton, BL5 3DS
🎟 £5 per person (under 1's free of charge)

There will be a disco, party games, Santa's grotto and the cafe will be open serving festive food & drink.

Tickets can be purchased via the link below 👇

https://www.thehubwesthoughton.co.uk/events-1

WESTHOUGHTON POPPY APPEAL

We would like to say a massive well done to all those who have donated their time as part of this year's Westhoughton Poppy Appeal.

Volunteers have manned stalls in Sainsbury's and Aldi in Westhoughton, as well as along Market Street at weekend.

Fantastic work everyone involved 👏👏👏

WESTHOUGHTON WAR MEMORIAL

As we approach Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday, we felt it serving to dedicate a post to the fallen of Westhoughton who are commemorated via the Westhoughton War Memorial.

The Westhoughton War Memorial was unveiled on 3 August 1923, at a ceremony attended by Colonel Crofield D.S.O.

It was rededicated at a ceremony on 7 November 1948, attended by Lt. Col. R.W. Greenhalgh - Ven Archdeacon Sale.

A total of 307 names are inscribed on the Westhoughton War Memorial, from World War I (197), World War II (109), and Afghanistan (1).

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.” - Laurence Binyon

THE WESLEY STONE

In 1785, at the age of 82 years, John Wesley was travelling on horseback from Bolton to Wigan, when he stopped to preach in the open air at Barnaby's Farm, Wingates.

A large crowd soon assembled, and so he could be both seen and heard by everyone present, John Wesley stood on a large boulder in the grounds of the farm.

That same boulder can be seen today in the car park of the Cornerstone Church (see photo below).

John Wesley (1703 - 1791) was an Anglican divine and theologian who, with his brother Charles Wesley and fellow cleric George Whitefield, is credited with the foundation of the evangelical movement known as Methodism.

"AN EVENING OF MEDIUMSHIP"

📅 Friday 3 November
🕙 7pm - 10pm
📌 The Hub, Central Drive, Westhoughton, BL5 3DS
🎟 £15 including Pasty and Peas Supper

The Hub At Westhoughton are welcoming the International Medium, David Taylor, to Westhoughton for a fantastic evening of "Mediumship".

Tickets can be purchased via the link below and the price includes pasty and peas supper. A licensed bar will also be available 👇

https://www.thehubwesthoughton.co.uk/event-details-registration/evening-of-mediumship-with-international-medium-david-taylor

Monies raised will go towards the upkeep of The Hub.

You can find out more about David Taylor via the link below 👇

https://www.davidtaylormedium.co.uk/about.html

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY - 12 NOVEMBER 2023

Please find below the timings for the Remembrance Sunday Parade in Westhoughton.

9.20am - Assemble outside St. Bartholomew’s CE Primary School, The Fairways, Westhoughton.
Please note, there is no parking inside the school grounds.

9.40am - Depart for the Parish Church of St. Bartholomew, going left up Wigan Road.

10.00am - Church Service.

10.40am - Depart for War Memorial.

11.00am - Service and laying of wreaths.

11.15am - Parade (Up Church Street, along Lord Street, up The Avenue, along Central Drive, down Bolton Road, down Market Street, down Wigan Road, back to St. Bartholomew’s CE Primary School)

The above arrangements are subject to weather conditions.

🧙‍♀️ 🎃 HAPPY HALLOWEEN 🎃 🧙‍♀️

EATOCK PITS

In 1896, the Wigan Coal and Iron Company's Eatock Pits employed 484 underground and 89 surface workers.

The Eatock Pits were one of 26 Pits within the Westhoughton District, and were located where Eatock Lodge Local Nature Reserve is today.

During operation of the Eatock Pits, a total of 22 workers are known to have lost their lives, named below:

Richard Bent, Richard Brown, James Bullough, Thomas Clark, James Dean, Henry Derbyshire, John Dootson, Reuben Edge, Robert Fogg, Harold Harrison, Richard Harrison, Thomas Harrison, Warren James, John Livesley, Sarah Ann Rudd, Henry Sharrock, Albert Shepherd, Thomas Shepherd, Charles Tickle, Frank Tickle, John Unsworth, William Woods.

(Top Photo: Eatock Lodge; Bottom Photo: Eatock Pits circa 1910)