MESSAGES were pouring in this week in tribute to Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, whose death marks the end of royal era writes Lesley Richards

Her only visit to Leigh, Atherton, and Tyldesley came in May 1938, and this week residents mourning her loss signed books of condolence opened at the borough's town halls.

At Leigh the first messages read "Bless the Queen, a good lady" and "Goodbye to a great British Queen".

Sad time

The Mayor Cllr John Hilton said: "For many this will be a very sad time. The Queen Mother visited our borough several times and was close to the hearts of thousands.

"For people of my generation she has been the enduring symbol of loyalty for many years, and we especially remember her during the second world war when she helped unite the nation. That will never be forgotten, we will all miss her."

Leigh MP Andy Burnham said: "I know the Queen Mother was held in great affection by many people in Leigh, particularly the older generation who remember her during the war.

"I have come to Westminster to represent the town at this time of national mourning."

The rain poured on the day Queen Elizabeth paid a flying visit to the area.

But the awful weather did not dampen the spirits of King George V1 and the Queen as they were welcomed by thousands of well wishers who lined the streets for a glimpse of the couple.

The Royal train stayed overnight at Lowton Junction and drew in to a highly colourful Leigh station,

The entourage drove to Leigh Market Square where cheering spectators, forming the biggest crowd ever seen in the town, had waited for hours.

There the Royal couple officially met the urban districts' dignitaries and Leigh's only VC Alfred Wilkinson before speaking to ex-servicemen in the crowd.

After being introduced to the King the Mayor, Cllr P Newton, said he hoped the welcome was better than the weather, and the Queen replied that the wonderful greetings had recompensed them for the rain.

The royal party then moved off to Leigh Road where schoolchildren, who had been given the day off, and factory workers waved dripping flags of welcome.

Slowed down

The cars slowed down at the Leigh Poor Law Institution, later Atherleigh Hospital, to smile on the nurses and inmates who had assembled outside.

Three thousand Atherton pupils and a peel of bells from Atherton Parish Church welcomed the Royal party to the town before they left for Tyldesley, where shopkeepers had transformed the town with flags and bunting.

There wasn't an inch of space to be found from Shakerley Road to Gas Works Brow as the cotton mills shut down at 11am to allow workers to swell the numbers to watch the couple drive by on the way to Walkden.