Borough Life Autum 2006: Life Lines
Plans in place for memorial
Sir, – I read with interest your articles regarding regeneration of Bickershaw Colliery Site and the memorial stone to commemorate the ten men killed in the Golborne mining disaster.
I think it would be appropriate during the regeneration that some form of memorial be placed in the memory of 19 men killed on the 10th October 1932, when the descending cage plunged into the sump and drowned them. One of them was William Talbot, my grandfather.
Edwin Talbot (by email)
Editor’s note. The council fully intends the regeneration scheme to include a memorial to Bickershaw Colliery and all those who worked and died at the pit.
Does Platt Bridge exist or not?
Sir,– After reading Borough Life, I once again find that on the township forum pages Platt Bridge does not exist. Do we exist or not?
Dennis Dowd (by email)
Yes, you do exist! Township manager Malcolm Coe tells Borough Life: “The original title of the township was Hindley, Hindley Green, Platt Bridge and Abram, which was already a bit of a mouthful.
“Then Bickershaw, Bamfurlong and Spring View felt they should be mentioned.
“So we agreed to shorten the name to Hindley and Abram, the latter being chosen because it was the name of the council ward which incorporates all the smaller neighbourhoods.”
Girlguides appeal for leaders
Sir,– I am the County Commissioner for Girlguiding Lancashire South which covers the whole of Wigan borough.
Girlguiding and scouting are faced with large joining lists due to the lack of adult voluntary leaders.
Nationwide there are 50,000 girls who cannot join a unit because we need 8,000 more adult leaders.
In Lancashire South alone we need 80 more leaders.
In Wigan borough there are 30 Rainbow units, 82 Brownie units, 37 Guide units and 5 senior section units.
The total number of girls and adults who are members amounts to 3,091.
At the moment we are working hard on Project 50K, a retention, flexibility, diversity and recruitment project.
One part of this is a 12 hour challenge where we are asking for people just to donate 12 hours over a year to help in any way they feel able.
I was wondering if Borough Life, which has such an amazing distribution, would be able to help give the girls the chance to become a member of Girlguiding UK.
If you are interested in becoming an adult volunteer contact me on 01942 878451 or email
Annette Tither,
County Commissioner, Lancashire South
The council is using CCTV crack down on illegal riders
Tarred with same brush?
Sir,– Having just read the article in the summer Borough Life about the crackdown on illegal off-road bikers I feel it's only appropriate to have the flip side of this story heard.
Yet again the minority of so called off-road motorcyclists have spoiled it for everybody else who take their sport seriously.
Wigan borough doesn’t have legal facilities for any type of motorised off-road sport (although a minority sport, a sport it still is).
We are all aware of land owners not wanting responsibility for accidents or upkeep of a good quality track, but land could be made profitable with membership cards purchased annually.
We will always be seen to be anti-social because of the minority of riders who seem to think they are outside the law.
Glenn Wood (by email)
What do readers think?
Do off-road bikers get a raw deal? Could Wigan Council find a site that doesn’t interfere with the enjoyment of others? Contact boroughlife@wigan.gov.uk
Complaint over market
Sir,– I have just been reading the excellent magazine Borough Life. I am very pleased with the planters outside the Bethel. But I do have some complaints.
Hindley has got some fine buildings – town hall, library and others in need of some tender loving care.
We used to have a good market, people used to come by bus to Hindley Market, sadly now no more.
Mrs M. Gaskell, Buchanan Drive, Hindley Green
Hindley market is sadly not what it was, but according to council markets officer Phil Edge, it’s not for the want of trying.
“We’ve offered rent-free periods and invested in getting rid of the grotty ‘sheds’, but sadly we’ve not managed to attract many new traders, though the car boot sale on Sundays is one of the most popular in the region.
Anyone interested in trading at Hindley is welcome to contact us on 01942 513163.”