Horwich is Westhoughton’s sister town and neighbour some 4 miles to the west. Their local heritage organisation and museum stems primarily from the former largest employer in the town, the locomotive works. These videos were originally created by Ted Wisedale for Horwich Heritage. We are indebted to Ted and HH for making these available to Westhoughton Local History Group for the benefit of researchers in the area.
Horwich Town Centre Trail
The town trail is a walking tour around interesting buildings and the former sites of interest to give residents and researchers new to the town an overview of what is there. Some of the dialogue is presented by residents on their topics of special interest.
[0h 51m]
Horwich past and present
Interesting interviews with senior citizens from Horwich, who tell us of their early life and important events in the town.
[0h 50m]
Horwich Locomotive Works – Countdown to closure
Horwich Loco Works existed for 100 years from 1884 to 1984. Sadly it ran down in its last couple of decades. There was considerable interest in the story of the works and this is a compilation of television footage from that period.
[0h 47m]
Second World War – War in the air
What was Horwich’s contribution to the battle for air supremacy? See this interesting footage captured at the time.
[0h 10m]
Horwich Loco Works – its story through interviews
Four men and two ladies who used to work at the Loco Works during its busy period met up again recently. This was their opportunity to reminisce about the fun (and some hard times) they used to have when they were there.
[1h 40m]
World War 2 – The Blitz
Black and white film taken during the blitz activity, mainly at night, shows the threat from the air and the frantic efforts on the ground to prevent massive fire damage.
[0h 29m]
Horwich Loco Works during the war
Men and ladies who spent much of their lives at the works reminisce about the activities at the works during World War 2.
[0h 36m]
The Winter Hill Air Disaster
Flights have operated for many years between Manchester and the Isle of Man. In 1958, a flight returning to Manchester ran into fog on Winter Hill, just outside Horwich. Rotarians from the Isle of Man and Horwich have met up every year since to commemorate the sad event and loss of life.
[0h 49m]
Places: Wallsuches
Bolton had long been involved with cotton spinning and weaving. As new chemicals were discovered, the process of bleaching cloth became industrialised. At Wallsuches, there was a bleachworks and facilities for the people who worked there.
Places: Bottom o’th Moor
The moorland around Horwich can be both picturesque and bleak. These are the stories told by people who were brought up and lived in the area.
Horwich Garden of Remembrance
A garden of remembrance has been created for the service people of Horwich fallen in World Wars I and II. This video records the dedication service of this garden.
[0h 15m]
Another video coming soon . . .
Keep looking out for it!
Westhoughton Local History Group
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WLHG
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