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 Archives: Wigan and Leigh 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 sells for £2.00 at various venues across the Borough. You can download the latest magazine without charge below.
Enter the Past Forward Essay Competition
Do you have a passion for local history? Is there a local history topic that you would love to see featured in Past Forward?
Then why not take part in our annual writing competition and be in with a chance of winning £100!
Past Forward, Issue 84, 85 and 86
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, 85 and 86 free for all to access, your subscriptions will be rolled over by three editions in all cases. If at a later date you would like to purchase a hard copy of the edition, we 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 87, April 2021 - July 2021
- Issue 86, Dec 2020 - March 2021
- Issue 85, August - November 2020
- Issue 84, April - July 2020
- Issue 83, Dec 2019 – March 2020
- Issue 82, August – Nov 2019
- Issue 81, April – July 2019
- Issue 80, Dec 2018 – March 2019
- Issue 79, August – Nov 2018
- Issue 78, April – July 2018
- Issue 77, Dec 2017 – March 2018
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, please send your details to Editorial Team, Archives: Wigan and Leigh, Leigh Town Hall, WN7 1DY or email: pastforward@wigan.gov.uk.
Publications
Archives: Wigan and Leigh 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 Archives: Wigan and Leigh, or by post.
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.