Memorial inscription - Wigan's Royal Albert Edward Infirmary
"In his prosperous hours he had but this pride, to be the weak man's help, the poor man's guide".
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Highly respected Miners Agent in the Lancashire coal field, born in Bickerstaffe in 1846, died at his home in Skelmersdale in 1901. Buried at the parish church of St Paul Skelmersdale where his grave is marked by a large memorial obelisk, an indication of the respect in which he was held by all who had contact with him. A powerful advocate and great campaigner for the rights of miners and working people in general, he held responsible positions with many charitable bodies for the relief of poverty and suffering including Skelmersdale local board, later becoming a vice president of Wigan Royal Albert Edward Infirmary. A memorial tablet was erected at Wigan Infirmary in his honour commissioned by the Miners Federation from J Alberti of Manchester, the inscription reads "In his prosperous hours he had but this pride, to be the weak man's help, the poor man's guide".
The Fair Rosamund - This page is dedicated to all those train spotters who never wondered why Class 47 diesel 47618 was so named! Rosamund Clifford, legendary beauty and mistress to twelfth century King of England Henry II, daughter of Walter de Clifford of Clifford Castle Herefordshire. Reputedly killed by a jealous Queen Eleanor (of Aquitaine) but more probably died of natural causes in a convent at Godstow in Oxfordshire. These are two poetic accounts of her fascinating story, also the subject of a fine opera by Donnizetti (Rosmonda d'Inghilterra).
Douglas Valley Dawdle - A 6.8 mile triangular walk from Beacon Park Upholland descending 500 feet into the Douglas Valley returning via Appley Bridge. On a clear day it affords views of a spectacular and historic landscape and countryside comparable with more well known national treasures.
Haigh, Borsdane Wood Circular Walk - A nine mile three and a half hour walk through some of the greener parts of our urban landscape, an opportunity to appreciate features of the natural world at their best and available on our own doorstep.
The Wreck of the Hesperus - Source of mother's favourite saying, probably dating from her early education at St Thomas' School Caroline Street Wigan.
Hugo Boss comes to Wigan - A sideways look at an eventful 40th wedding anniversary trip to Vienna and a bold experiment to capture the essence of the dialect of the south Lancashire coalfield communities.
In the Footsteps of the Manchester Rambler - A circular walk from Hayfield via a section of the Pennine Way, Kinder Downfall and the moorland site of the mass trespass in 1932 in the struggle for the right to roam.
Dombey and Son A picture in words from Charles Dickens after the fall of the house of Dombey.
Cat Bells 2004 - A Lake District walk from Portinscale to Cat Bells, Maiden Moor and High Spy above Borrowdale returning via the Newlands Valley.
When Winds Breathe Soft - What did church organist and hymn writer Samuel Webbe do in his spare time? He wrote beautiful secular songs like this one about the awsome power of nature over the winds and waves.
On Th' Hills - John Trafford Clegg waxes lyrical in his native Lancashire dialect about the beauty to be found in nature.
Wigan and the American Civil War- Wigan Coal and Iron Company, The Right Honourable John Lancaster MP for Wigan, the Confederate Raider Alabama, USS Kearsarge, Cherbourg and the yacht Deerhound all feature in the last great sea battle of the American Civil War.
Scot Lane School - Through rose coloured glasses? Memories of Scot Lane School 1947 - 1954.
An Ordinary Wigan Family - The Earls of Crawford and Balcarres (the Lindsays) of Haigh, their part in the industrial revolution and the history of Wigan. A brief history of the family and their business interests put into the context of events happening elswhere in the world.
Martyrs of the Arena - Classic Male Voice Choir concert piece popular in times gone by, no longer performed very much but stirring stuff to sing. Words by J.S Stallybrass set to music by Laurent de Rille.
A Walk in the Hills - Memories from a holiday at the Belsfield Hotel, Bowness on Windermere and an eventful day exploring the countryside between the two lakes, Hawkshead and Ambleside. A circular walk crossing the ferry to Sawrey, over Claife Heights, passing Moss Eccles and Wise Ean Tarns to Ambleside returning by lake steamer.
Eay
Times Uv Changed
- The lamentations of a cash strapped father struggling to cope with the
increased expectations of the younger generation and the demands of modern
life.
Fine Words - 'The Wanderer', Poetry of unknown
origin from the 17th century set to music in the 20th century by Sir Edward
Elgar, and often featured in music festivals and choral competitions as
a test piece. An extract from the first letter from St Paul to the Corinthians.
Fidelio - A personal view of a fine opera by
a favourite composer.
The Ravioli Room - Shades of 'Saturday
Night Sunday Morning' in a Standish food factory! "Silent Worship"
would have been a more appropriate title for this sad tale of unrequited
love, set in the early 1960's, however George Frederick Handel and a score
of others thought of it first so I must respect their copyright.
Hymn Before Action - Poetry from the
pen of Rudyard Kipling, profound words and an insight into Victorian values
and attitudes.
Picture Gallery
A
Lancashire Linear Walk
- A walk of nearly ten miles from Eccleston near Chorley to Upholland
via the Douglas Valley. Beware it's not flat there are three long gradients
but it is very scenic and involves little road walking.