Westhoughton memories
Here are memories of Westhoughton and the local area. You can start now: Add your own Memory of Westhoughton or a Westhoughton photo.
Good Memories of Westhoughton
We moved to Westhoughton in 1956 when my father took up a position at Metal Box. I went to the Senior Girls School. Valerie Evans, Joyce Hartley and Kathleen Ellison were my friends. One of my fondest memories was the Empire Cinema which we went to on a regular basis. On Saturday night we would go to the first house, sit in the double seats along the side and wait for Miss Ashton to come along and shine her torch to make sure we weren't misbehaving. We used to meet up at the Tram Shed and we spent hours in Westhoughton Park, just walking and talking and enjoying our freedom. I wish my children and grandchildren could have experienced our childhood. Good ol' days they were and I think of them often.
James Brierley b1779
I wasn't born here, but my great-great-great-grandfather was. He was christened in St Bartholomew's Church (C of E) in approximately 1779. He came to Sydney in 1813 as a convict. Any help would be appreciated. I live at Mt Annan, Australia, 60klms from Sydney. I haven't travelled very far ah!!
Born in Westhoughton
I was born in Westhoughton, I lived in 53 Townsfield Road when I was born, then moved to 8 Allenby Grove until I left at the age of 23 and came to Australia. In primary school I went to Sacred Heart School and then in high school I attended the Senior Girls' School on Park Road. I remember at Easter climbing Rivington Pike. I am married now with one daughter and two grandchildren and I have lived in Australia a long time, but my thoughts always go back to the happy childhood I had in Westhoughton.
Memories of Lancashire
Swimming at Flag Bottom
I remember as a little kid in the 50's going through Borsdane Wood with my mam n' Aunty Liza - we'd take egg n' tomato butties with us and always head for the Flag Bottom. This was our cheap holiday / Wigan week, I think it was June, I have forgoten a lot of dates as I emigrated to Australia in 68. We had 5 kids and Aunty Liza had 4. In those days, the brook had a great little water fall and most of the bottom was flagged , we couldn't wait to get in the water and have fun, even over cast - didn't matter. I do remember some hot sunny days, and the egg n tomato butties were great!,....and collecting blue bells...thats another story hey. Funny, as we grew up in Hindley you always thought how things would get better, better cleaner streets, beautification of the park and the wood, and safer streets, all of which went the other way. Makes you wonder what the future holds.... Read more
Early Years in Hindley
What - no memories of Hindley? I was born in 1935 (nee Pennington) at a house in Liverpool Road, just up from the Strangeways Pub (The Paddock). The area was called Navvies' Lump, and although the address was "Liverpool Road", the road was in fact still known as Stoney Lone. Grandparents (Winnard) lived next door. One of my first memories is of being carried, in my grandma's shawl, down The Fold to Strangeways Farm in order to look over the wall into the bull-pen to see Billy-Bull. He belonged to the dairyman at the farm, Billy Eatock, aka 'Billy Splutte'r (always in a hurry). Another fond memory is of waiting for him to drive down the back-alley in his milk-float, dispensing fresh milk to his customers from huge milk-cans into their jugs. But what interested me most was seeing his horse! I was told that he had a remarkable relationship with this horse. He'd let it go, complete with float, and say "Go as far as... Read more
Tyldesley Recreation Club
My grandfather (A E Rahr) donated a silver cup for competition on the Crown Green Tyldesley recreation club. This was competed for in the 1930s and the winners were: 1933 J Baker, 1934 J Hodson, 1935 E Lythgoe and J Crook, 1938 T Farnworth, 1939 W Putter.
I have just donated this cup to the Wigan Museum / History Shop and hopefully it will be preserved. I will see if I can upload a photo of it.
Peter Rahr
I Was Born There
I was born in Tyldesley at 13 High Street - the house is gone now. I emigrated to USA in 1953, married and had 3 children. I went to St Josephs RC School and Sacred Heart Church. We all went to school in Hindsford, Tommy, Norah, Maureen and Paddy. I am the only one who left UK, Tommy and family still live in Atherton. Will look up photos after the holidays and send. Merry Christmas to all. Mum's Mum owned and operated the theatre on John Street after my grandad died. I would love to hear from somebody from Tydesley.
Astley Street Park
My grandfather Thomas Elliott was the Park Superintendent and appeared on early Frith Photographs.
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- Southgate, Greater London
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- Hampton Wick, Surrey
- Horbury, West Yorkshire
- Dovercourt, Essex
- Glasson, Cumbria
- Sway, Hampshire
- Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire
- Pyrford, Surrey
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- Chedworth, Gloucestershire
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- Shelsley Walsh, Worcestershire
- Stadhampton, Oxfordshire
- Peterhead, Aberdeenshire
- New Malden, Surrey
- Billacombe, Devon
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