a few things you never, ever knew about

the red rose county

people ~ places ~ customs ~ myths & legends

 

Wigan Pier ~ The Birth of a Music Hall Joke?

Nobody knows for sure when the title Wigan Pier was first used, but the following is a possible explanation. In 1891, a train taking miners to a demonstration in Southport was delayed at Pagefield Signal Box which was sited close to a long, wooden coal gantry over land liable to flooding.  One of the train's passengers asked the signalman 'Where the bloody 'ell are we, mate?' and was given the reply 'Wigan Pier' to the great amusement of all his mates. However, if you have a different theory, I'd love to hear it.

Wigan Pier Today   


The Brittania Coconut Dancers

On Easter Saturday the 'Nutters' perform their unusual dance over the seven miles across the town of Bacup. The 'side' of eight dancers have blackened faces (in pagan times it was believed that the disguise created by 'blacking up' made ritual magic effective) and wear black breeches, clogs, white shirts and stockings and plumed caps. Wooden discs called 'nuts' are attached to their waists, knees and the palms of the hands, and the dancers clap these together in a complex rhythm as they move along. The team are led by the 'Whiffler' who drives away winter and ill fortune.


The Headless Woman

The lanes around Longridge were once haunted by a malicious boggart known as the Headless Woman. From behind, she appeared a quiet old lady, strolling along in her fringed cape and old fashioned bonnet and carrying a basket under one arm. At first, she would walk alongside anyone who tried to overtake her, listening politely to their conversation. But, when they were least expecting it, she would turn to face them, revealing that inside her bonnet there was nothing. As her victims recoiled in horror, the woman would remove the cloth that covered her basket and out would spring her head. Shrieking with laughter and snapping viciously, the head had a mobility of it's own. It would pursue unfortunate travellers for miles, bounding along the road behind them.


Betty Whipp

Betty Whipp was a character who lived on the moss at Astley a few miles from Leigh. Although not regarded as a witch, she made love potions for those hoping to encourage a potential partner. Betty was also a weaver of evil spells, and for those wishing to do harm to another she would assist in causing livestock to die or an enemy to become dangerously ill. The charming Ms. Whipp died at the age of a hundred-and-nine.


Edwin Waugh ~ Lancashire's Finest Poet?

Edwin Waugh, born in Rochdale in 1817 is widely regarded as Lancashire's finest poet and prose writer, not only in dialect, but in wonderful flowing English. He started his working life apprenticed to a printer and only in 1852 did he begin to write in earnest. His songs of Lancashire's hills and high places have a  wildness about them that beautifully express Waugh's love of the moorlands. He died in 1890 and, fittingly, was laid to rest at St Paul's Church on the edge of Kersal Moor. 

The Moorlands ~ Edwin Waugh

 


The Eye of God

A carving on the tower of St Mary's Church, Newchurch-in-Pendle, is said to represent the all-seeing Eye of God, and local tradition maintains that it's original function was to protect worshippers from the witches who once plagued the district. There may be some truth in this, for the tower was built in 1554, in the lifetime of Mother Demdike and Old Chattox, both hanged for witchcraft.


Clogs

The Lancashire clog is actually an adaptation of the 'sabot' worn by the French and Dutch peasantry and was introduced into the county some six-hundred years ago, when Flemish weavers settled in the Bolton area. The footwear was speedily adopted by local folk, but the rough and stony footways of Lancashire demanded that clogs were given extra protection, hence the addition of 'irons' to the soles.

The Ring O' Clogs


AND FINALLY.......

Can you recognise these people? I found the photo's in an Atherton junk shop around fifteen years ago. I bought them simply because I liked them and I've often wondered who the couple were and what kind of lives they led, and I've often thought it sad that once-treasured photographs of such obviously proud people should end up on a dingy junk shop shelf. A small stamp at the bottom of each picture reads 'Leslie ~ 40, Bank Top, Blackburn.' If you can help, I'd be very pleased to hear from you.

MAN.JPG (12413 bytes)  WOMAN.JPG (12070 bytes)

Click either thumbnail to see the full size images.

 

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