Wigan Album

Thanks for putting those 2 photos on Helen, it really brings back memories, "Exactly," on those steps is where i carved my name circa 1957, i would be 10 years old then. Nearby was my uncles name about 1927.
There were many many names on there, it was sort of a ritual but all the steps and stone flags with the names on have been replaced with refurbishment although there are just a few left on the main tower itself. (Happy days)Although it was wrong to damage property like that, we didnt really think so at the time.

Was the building used for anything specific, and could you get inside?

I should think you would have at some time been able to go inside, because the door & a window have been blocked up but perhaps someone with more knowledge of the history of the beacon would be able to help with that one.

Glad you liked the pics Dave. Brings back happy memories for me as well. We had picnics up there in the days when kids went off on their bikes all day with some jam sandwiches, cornflakes & a bottle of pop ! I always thought old graffiti was history, inside an old priory I know there are names carved in the stonewalls.....all history.

I was told that the Beacon was one of many and they were lit to warn of invaders, the next one up is Rivington pike Beacon, l think they were also lit to celebrate a great occaison, l think the last time they were lit was in the 70's maybe for the Queens silver Jubilee, l took my children to Horwich, but it was so foggy and we couldn't get near, we didn't see a spark

I think the beacons were lit for the Millenium. I know the one at Billinge Hill was cos we could see that all night from my sister-in-law's back window

I agree 'old' graffiti is history, graffiti that isn't abusive. Why do we always have to refurbish everything?!

Re the 'graffiti' covered flagstones surrounding the beacon - I was told they were stolen, and not removed as part of a refurbishment programme.
A great shame.

I think the last time beacon was lit at Ashurst was to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Spanish Armada celebrated in 1988. Can remember the beacon being lit at Rivington a couple of times, saw it from UpHolland.

apparently my great-grandfather (who I was named after), and who was the Editor of the Wigan Observer owned this land, and after his death, my great-grandmother gave it to the Wigan Corporation on condition it remained a public park and was not built on. Is that still the case?

Tom Meadows - Yes that's still the case. My grandfather, John, was Thomas Meadows's younger brother, btw, which obviously means we're related. All the best, Steve