HORWICH had a new set of stocks — thanks to eight trainees at the Bolton Training Workshops back in October 1984.

They helped to reconstruct the stocks for Horwich Town Council at a cost of around £100.

The English oak stocks, backed by a public seat, were installed in Chorley Old Road outside the vicarage — the site from which they were removed three years’ previously because they were falling apart.

All that remained of the original stocks, once situated near the Fleet Street junction and last used in 1805, was a pair of stone supports.

Some of the original timber was used in the reconstruction of the stocks.

The installation ceremony was held later in October of 1984 when Town Mayor Cllr Kevin Kilcoyne unveiled a plaque.

Here we see three of the trainees, left to right, Steven Holden, aged 16, of Pimlott Street, Bolton, Glyn Slater, 16, of Vernon Street, Farnworth and Michael Gibson, 18, of Bury Road, Bolton with the new stocks.

The stocks dated back to the 17th century, but were moved from the original location in Fleet Street and refurbished as recently as 1995.

The town council has information about two men escaping from Horwich stocks in 1622.