Spotlight on Wingates

And the gems in Wingates historical crown are Wingates Band and Wingates Parish Church.

St John the Evangelist, known as Wingates Parish Church, on the corner of Chorley Road and Church Lane, was founded in 1850 and became an ecclesiastical district the following year.

Research by the late David Owen, a former member of Westhoughton Local History Group, discovered the tale of the first person to be buried in the churchyard.

Although there is no record of the youngster it is claimed a black boy was the first person to be buried at Wingates.

His body was found in a bale of cotton imported from America.

The bale was delivered to the mill in Chew Moor and the boy’s body was discovered when it was opened.

It is claimed he was buried in the graveyard.

Forty-five victims of the Pretoria Pit disaster are also buried in the cemetery.

Britain’s third worst mining disaster, on December 21, 1910, at Hulton Bank Colliery in Over Hulton was caused by an explosion. It claimed the lives of 344 men and boys.

Children of Lostock Industrial School are also buried in the parish church cemetery.

The Independent Methodist Chapel opened in 1835. The second chapel, which opened in nearby Dixon Street in 1872, and was demolished in July 2002, played a huge part in the history of Wingates and features in Whispers of Wingates, a sell-out book by Ethel Howell, who died earlier this year.

Wingates Band was formed 140 years ago by men and boys from Wingates Independent Methodist Chapel. The band has gone on to secure seven British Open and four British National Championships.

But almost 103 years ago the band’s chairman and secretary were killed in the Pretoria Pit disaster.

Wingates Band has also survived both the First and Second World Wars — and several financial crises.

The band has toured extensively across the country and overseas.

To mark its 140th anniversary, band president David Kaye is writing From Bible Class to World Class.

Wingates was once home to Albion Mill, also known as Haworth’s, which devastated by a huge fire in and then was destroyed by a second blaze.

Wingates Square, despite being a seemingly quiet area, was the epicentre of the community for decades as a result of the Independent Methodist Chapels. It continues to be the base of Wingates Band, who meet in The Band Hall.

Victoria Spinning Mill was built in the area in late 1800s as a branch of Great Lever Spinning Co. Ltd but was demolished eight years ago.

A Bone Works, which once “dealt” with a dead elephant from Belle Vue Zoo was at Top o'th Slack in Wingates during the 20th century near to a potato crisp factory. A fabrication engineers was also there and later became a site for hearses and stretch-limousines.

La Scala in Chorley Road has been the home of numerous pubs.

An advert dating back to the sale of the pub in 1854 states it had three parlours, a tap room, a large clubroom, three bedrooms, two cellars, a brew house with a malt room, a piggery and large garden.

The Waggon and Horses, in the Chorley end of Wingates, has stained glass windows depicting the township’s history and has licences dating back to 1776.

A RETIRED businessman’s love of the area started when he was “seduced by the powerful mistress”, — Wingates Band.

David Kaye first came into contact with the historical band when Krones UK Ltd, the company he was a managing director of, moved to Wingates Industrial Estate in the late 1980s.

He got in touch with the band to see if it could help with a commemoration party for the business — and has never looked back.

Mr Kaye said: “The band was in a financial crisis, the money had dried up. Krones UK Ltd became a benefactor of Wingates Band, that began the history of my connection with the band. I became totally fascinated with the banding scene. I have always had a very full and busy life but I was seduced by a very powerful mistress, Wingates Band.

“I once read “Wingates Band is a jewel in the North West’s cultural crown” and that made me so proud.

“It is the pride I have experienced, seeing foreign audiences give the band standing ovations. Travelling here and overseas with the band pride is the overwhelming emotion.”

Mr Kaye does not play an instrument but is the band’s president and has travelled across the country, as well as to America and Germany with them. He has also researched extensively into the history of the band, which started in 1873.

He said he was overjoyed to attend a rehearsal of The Band of South Australia when visiting Adelaide and being told by a musician that the Wingates March was the first march he learned to play on the cornet.

Mr Kaye added: “The band has led me to many friendships and contact with ex-Wingates players around the world and the country. It’s always wonderful when giving talks about the band that people invariably say they are so proud to say their grandfather was a member.”

Councillor surgeries: Westhoughton North and Chew Moor Ward: Cllr Martin Cox, Conservative, on Saturday, July 13 between 10.30am and 11.30am at Westhoughton Town Hall in Market Street Cllr Sean Harkin, Labour, on Saturday, June 29 at Westhoughton Town Hall between 10.30am and 11.30am Cllr Christopher Peacock, Mayor of Westhoughton, Labour, on Saturday, June 15 between 10.30am and 11.30am at Westhoughton Town Hall.

Westhoughton South Ward: Cllr David Chadwick, Labour, on Saturday, June 8 at Westhoughton Town Hall between 10.30am and 11.30am Cllr Kevan Jones, Labour, on Saturday, June 22 between 10.30am and 11.30am at Westhoughton Town Hall Cllr Anna-Marie Watters, Labour, on Saturday, July 6 between 10.30am and 11.30am at Westhoughton Town Hall.