Wigan history enthusiast shares amazing old book of local walks

She was moved to share her discovery with the public after resident Cliff Peters published a new book of walks highlighting the wealth of overlooked countryside around Wigan which was recently featured on Wigan Today.

Although the 1914 volume looks very different to a modern walks book, which has a fairly set format of route information, photos, directions and maps, it does prove that residents have enjoyed heading out into the green spaces of the town for more than a century.

Caroline, who regularly presents talks at the Museum of Wigan Life and works with groups such as Wigan Archaeological Society, says the book also offers a fascinating snapshot of Wigan’s past as well as some beautiful and surprising photographs.

Caroline, of Plantation Gates, said: “When I read this book I was really impressed. There are quite a lot of old photographs I’ve never seen before and it’s a really interesting snapshot of the history of Wigan.

“There’s a picture of the Wigan Boat Club at Haigh where they did rowing.

“I’ve always known the little bridge near the canal in the plantations was for that but I’d never seen the club itself.

“The adverts are amazing too. One is for the Ashton Brothers’ ice works.

“I didn’t even know they had one in Wigan and it’s a spectacular-looking building.

“The author talks about exercise being valuable and Wigan being a good place for interesting rambles. He says the walk up Wigan Lane is not to be missed.

“It’s nothing like a modern walk book. It’s all about the history of Wigan, talking about the parish church, Mesnes Park and the infirmary. There are various rambles around Standish, Parbold, Wrightington, Gathurst and Dean Wood, Upholland, Billinge and Ashurst’s Beacon.”

The section on Wigan town explains in details what there was to do for residents in 1914 as well as the characters and businesses that lived and worked there.

The book also mentions areas which are now established parts of the borough being created and built, particularly around Gidlow Lane and St Malo Road.

Pictures show scenes from the past including Wiganers in Edwardian dress at the fountain in Mesnes Park and the boat club as well as a horse fair taking place, providing a fascinating window on Wigan's past.

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