Want to know more about the history of where you live?
Past Forward is the 'people's history' magazine for Wigan and Leigh. The magazine is produced by Wigan Museums and Archives three times per year (in December, April and August). We publish your stories, letters, photographs, opinions and pleas for help on local and family history matters.
Past Forward usually sells for £2.00 at various venues across the borough however during the Coronavirus period we have not been able to offer printed copies. Instead, we are pleased to offer the latest two editions as FREE digital versions. As we're not able to print and sell the current edition as we normally would, we want to give as many people as possible the chance to enjoy them.
You can download the latest magazine without charge below.
Past Forward, Issue 84 and 85
Note for subscribers during the coronavirus period:
For any readers of Past Forward who subscribe to the magazine (digitally or in hard copy), we will ensure that in light of offering Past Forward 84 and 85 free for all to access, your subscriptions will be rolled over by two editions in all cases. If at a later date you would like to purchase a hard copy of the edition, we hope to have these available and will be in touch to confirm how you can obtain the hard copy magazine. We apologise that we have not been able to contact you directly to give this information.
If you have any questions about your subscription or subscriber arrangements for the current edition, please contact us at and we will help as best we can.
Archive editions
Want a taster of Past Forward? We've got dozens of past issues of the magazine for you to read - covering dozens of different and interesting subjects from across the borough.
- Past Forward Index
- Issue 85, August - November 2020
- Issue 84, April - July 2020
- Issue 73, August - November 2016
- Issue 72, April - July 2016
- Issue 71, December 2015 - March 2016
- Issue 70, August - November 2015
- Issue 69, April - July 2015
- Issue 68, December 2014 - March 2015
- Issue 67, August - November 2014
- Issue 66, April-July 2014
- Issue 65, December 2013-March 2014
Past Forward index
The Past Forward index covers issues from 1 - 68.
Got ideas for Past Forward?
We'd love to hear from you!
If you would like to contribute to the magazine send details to Editorial Team, Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan or email: pastforward@wigan.gov.uk.
Publications
The Archives & Local Studies produce a range of local history publications, covering the Wigan Borough as well as our wonderful collections. All publications are available for sale at the Museum of Wigan Life and Wigan & Leigh Archives, or by post. Contact us to request.
Miss Weeton, Governess and Traveller
Edited by Alan Roby
Miss Nelly Weeton’s letters, journal entries and other autobiographical writings reveal a formidable woman as they vividly transport the reader through Georgian Wigan, Upholland and the north west. You can read more about the publication or order copies online. Price: £20.
A History of Harrison McGregor and Guest
By Tony Ashcroft and Becky Farmer
Explores the history of the famous Albion ironworks in Leigh, engineers and manufacturers of agricultural equipment in the town for over 100 years. Price: £9.
Steady Progress: The Making of Modern Leigh
By Yvonne Eckersley, edited by Dylan Lawson
Examines the history of Leigh as the town grew and changed from the late Victorian period into the twentieth century. Price: £10.
From Wolkowisk to Wallgate and other journeys: A history of the Wigan Jewish Community
By Hilary Thomas. Price: £9.
The Diary of Kasturi Venkataramayya: An Indian in Victorian England
Edited transcript of the diary from the Edward Hall Diary Collection. Price: £7.
Avoiding Archie: The WWI Flying Corps Diary of Captain Walker
Edited transcript of the diary from the Edward Hall Diary Collection. Price: £7.