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 is available for £2.00 at the following venues:
- The Museum of Wigan Life
- Wigan Archive Service (Leigh Town Hall)
- Leigh Local Studies
- All Wigan Borough libraries.
Subscriptions
You can also receive Past Forward through the post for £9.00 for all three issues annually (UK price). Readers around the world can subscribe as well please contact us for up-to-date prices.
Anyone, anywhere in the world can also now subscribe to our digital version of the magazine. It has all the same content as the printed magazine but is emailed straight to your inbox for £6 per year.
Past Forward Essay Competition
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 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
- Issue 64, August-November 2013
- Issue 63, April-July 2013
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.