New Wigan retirement development named after Civil War clergyman

Developers McCarthy Stone came up with the name for the development being built on the former Chadwicks site on Wellington Place.

Brideoake lived during the turbulent years of the English Civil Wars and served in his role in Standish Parish between 1645 and 1649 and then again after the conflict from 1660 until his death in 1678.

He lent his support to the monarchy and to James Stanley the 7th Earl of Derby, then one of the country’s most powerful men.

Brideoake helped Stanley’s wife Charlotte, the Countess of Derby, organise the resistance in spring 1644 when 2,000 Roundhead troops supporting parliament besieged Lathom House near Ormskirk, which despite its name was a heavily-fortified castle.

As a reward Brideoake received the rectorship.

Although the Royalists were eventually defeated Brideoake impressed the speaker of the house, William Lenthall, with his loyalty and his pleas on behalf of Stanley who was convicted of treason.

After the monarchy was restored he was given several prominent church posts while retaining his Standish role.

Wigan Local History and Heritage Society helped McCarthy Stone choose the new name, saying Brideoake “achieved many great things”.

Deborah Bond, marketing executive for McCarthy Stone, said: “When choosing to build in Standish we wanted to choose a name that would reflect the rich history of the area.

“What became very interesting was that although Brideoake was a key player during this period, he isn’t very well-known locally despite the interesting life he led, and his affiliation with the monarchy.

“We very much thank Wigan Local History and Heritage Society for their help unearthing more about Brideoake. We hope this will help to raise his profile locally and be a fitting memory of him and of the period he lived through.”

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