Borough Life Plus Spring 2022

Welcome to Borough Life Plus

What an exciting few months we have ahead of us!

Firstly, it is springtime. The sun is shining (occasionally, at least) and our parks and greenspaces are returning to their blooming best.

This time of year is always full of optimism but with the UEFA Women’s Euros on the horizon and the feel-good feeling already generated by the Jubilee celebrations, we have even more reasons to smile.

Our special edition Platinum Jubilee Borough Life magazine has been a pleasure to create and we hope you enjoy reading it as much as we have putting it all together.

And there’s more about the Jubilee below.

As usual, here on the Borough Life Plus page, we’ve picked out some extra content that supplements what’s in the actual magazine.

You will also see that quite a few pages in the magazine cover the support services available across the borough.

We know at the moment there are several factors putting pressure on household bills. The important message is; please, if you’re struggling, reach out to someone for help.

There’s a fantastic network of organisations and services available.

For more information, visit:

• Welfare support
• Money advice
• Benefits and grants

With the help of our local traders Harwoods Pattisserie, Olive Owl Flowers and Heather Capture Photography the inspiration for our front cover for this edition is a Jubilee street party.

Taking centre-stage are sweet treats and floral arrangements to make your royal celebrations one to remember.

Follow our spotlighted traders on social – @oliveowlflowers, @harwoodspatisserie and @heathercapturephotography

Or visit our website for more information on local traders in the borough or to find out more about our support local campaign. 

It has already achieved legendary status on the borough’s arts and music scene and after a Covid-enforced hiatus, it’s back better than ever for 2022.

Featuring some of the biggest names in jazz and big band music, the festival will run from July 7 to 10 at the Village on the Green in Aspull.

For full information and how to get tickets, visit Wigan Jazz Festival (external link)

We recently caught up Dr Ian Darrington MBE, the director and co-founder of the festival, who told us about its history and foundation within Wigan Borough.

For people and planet

Fur Clemt's team of volunteers work tirelessly to make it easier for people to feed their families and reduce the amount of food waste which harms our planet when it goes to landfill.

The shelves at Fur Clemt are full to the brim with items – from fruit and veg, bread, freezer food as well as nappies and other essentials - which have been donated by large companies which overproduce, supermarkets which can no longer sell food due to the fact it is slightly past its best before date and collections from organisations like FareShare.

Anyone is welcome to pay £5 to become a member for twelve months, which entitles them to visit twice a week to buy the food and items Fur Clemt has on offer at a significantly reduced price.

Shirley, one of Fur Clemt's founders, explains more in the video so watch and be inspired!

What a weekend of vibrant colours, fun celebrations and plenty of tea and cake!

The sun shone and the entire borough were able to make HRH The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee a few days to remember.

From the official beacon lighting at Haigh Hall, to the Mayor’s Gala and the Party in the Park, thousands helped us mark the historic occasion.

See a selection of our favourite images on Facebook (external link) from our events schedule, thank you to everyone who came out in their red, white and blue.

Commuters and visitors to Wigan North Western station have been dazzled in recent months by an array of amazing artwork.

It’s all the work of the super-talented Jess Riley following a call-out by the South East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership.

Jess was commissioned to produce a mural that celebrated Wigan Borough to be featured on the walls through the station’s concourses.

You may be able to spot some of the borough’s favourite words, places and favourite things featured.