Produced by Archives: Wigan and Leigh, ISBN 978 1 3999 8140 8 Paperback, p126 £10
What a treat this is! It is the second anthology of articles originally written for Wigan’s local history magazine, Past Forward. Some, in slightly different forms, have appeared in previous editions of this journal. The author is indulging her particular passion here, telling the stories of the hitherto unknown local women who helped to shape the social and political landscape of their towns. Some of these women work physically demanding jobs as weavers, winders or pit brow lasses. Some are elected as councillors and Poor Law Guardians. They are trade unionists, Chartists, suffragists challenging unjust laws and conniving bosses. They organise and agitate and seek to make change for better.
The illustrations within the book are excellently chosen for their relevance but some have not reproduced particularly well. The front cover, on the outer hand, is inspiring. Peopled with faces that look out at us, stalwart, challenging, curious, speaking to us across generations.
Archives: Wigan and Leigh, where Yvonne is a volunteer and a researcher, appears to be a particularly enlightened archives/local studies service. The stated mission of the service is to ‘make Wigan’s archives and local studies collections accessible to all for learning and enjoyment, and to foster a sense of belonging and pride in local heritage through the collection and preservation of archive records.’ This publication plays a part in that mission. Helen Redmond, the Archivist, states in her introduction to the book that she is particularly proud of the fact that most of the primary sources originate in the service’s collection. Helen, herself, should be proud of the role she has played in facilitating the production of this fine example of the value of local history and archives collections. I look forward to more from Yvonne in the future.