Archive for the ‘Wigan’ Category

Wigan is renowned for its Pier, but from 23rd July, Wigan is also going to have its very own beach for the whole of the summer!

The 13m by 11m structure is being built in Woodcock Square at The Galleries Shopping Centre, and will be free of charge to visit, making it a great attraction during the school holidays.

With 10 tonnes of sand, palm trees, deckchairs and decking, the beach will also play host to a number of activities on Wednesdays throughout the summer period. On 23rd July, when the beach officially opens, shoppers young and old will be entertained by a traditional Punch and Judy and a steel band. Other Wednesday events include; Beach soccer and keep fit classes provided by JJB Fitness Club, a surf simulator, sandcastle building competitions and a summer fashion event.

Richard Paxton, centre director of The Galleries said, ‘We’re a family shopping destination and therefore wanted to put on a summer event which is suitable for the whole family. With Wigan being over 20 miles away from its nearest sandy beach (Southport), we thought that it would be great to have our very own beach right here in Woodcock Square. Visitors will be able to have a break from their shopping and relax on a deckchair for free, or even join in with one of the many events we have planned.’

The beach will be open daily from 10am - 5pm until (23rd July until 31st August). For more information, please telephone 01942 825 734.

The Say Two Touring Company will be performing at some of the North West’s finest locations this summer with their production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Venues and dates for the open-air, evening performances are:

Pennington Park, near Wigan – June 21
Bank Hall, Bretherton, near Chorley – June 8
Kingswood College, Scarisbrick, near Southport – July 5
Brougham Hall, Penrith – July 11/12
Heskin Hall, Chorley – July 19
Chester Amphitheatre – July 26

Members of the public are invited to audition to take part in the show alongside professional actors. No previous experience is necessary.

For all enquiries telephone 01257 453956.

The fifth annual Leigh and Wigan Words Together Literary Festival will be held March 24 to April 5 2008. Highlights include BBC newsreader George Alagiah discussing multiculturalism in the UK. For more information visit the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust website.

Plans to bring back Wigan’s historic Mesnes Park to its former glory were given a massive boost thanks to a £1.8 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund. Funding from other sources such as Wigan Council, Wigan Leisure and Cultural Trust, and Fredericks Ice Cream will bring the total investment to £3.4 million.

Restoration plans include restoration of the bandstand, pavilion, pathways, and the appointment of a park ranger. Work is expected to start in spring 2008. A bid for further funding will be submitted next year that could bring total investment in the park to £6 million.

Chair of the Friends of Mesnes Park Sue Turner said, ‘This is a great day for Mesnes Park and for the Wigan Borough as a whole. It has been a long process to get where we are today I would like to offer my thanks and congratulations to all the staff at Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust who have worked day and night to achieve this goal. This funding will secure Mesnes Park as a true People’s Park for the 21st Century.’

The 2007 World Pie Eating Championships will take place at Harry’s Bar in Wigan on December 13. Last year’s vegetarian category has been scrapped and gravy introduced in order to speed up eating times. Pies will be supplied by local producer Wigan Pies. Wigan is widely recognised as the world capital of pies and pie eating.

Two restaurants in North West England have walked away with awards from the Restaurant Magazine’s 2007 Best Dishes competition, held in London on Sunday. The Three Fishes in the Ribble Valley scooped the award for best burger while Simply Heathcotes in Wigan won the trophy for best fish and chips.

Wigan’s Haigh Hall and Country Park will host one of the North West’s largest bonfire nights on Sunday November 4. In addition to a large bonfire, the event will feature a professional fireworks display, Rock FM DJ’s, and a fun fair.

Haigh Hall and Country Park Manager Tim Sharratt said, ‘Haigh is the perfect setting for Bonfire Night with its wide open spaces and glorious views of Wigan’s countryside and it all helps to support the Mayor’s charity. We hope to build on the success of last year’s event and have included extra children’s activities. We are expecting another sell out crowd of around 2,000 so fireworks fans should make sure they get tickets as soon as possible. This is the hottest ticket in town!’

The event starts at 3 pm and tickets, priced £5 for adults and £3 for children, must be purchased in advance from the Wigan Tourist Information Centre (01942 825677). All profits from the event will be donated to local breast cancer charities.

Wigan businessman Dave Whelan has sold his stake in rugby league team Wigan Warriors to Harlequins chairman Ian Lenagan. The deal, which becomes effective on December 1, will see Joe Lydon appointed as chief executive with Brian Noble remaining as head coach. Millionaire Lenagan was born in Wigan and made his fortune in computer software.

Wigan’s Market Place will be hosting a continental market between September 20 and 22. It will feature fresh produce and goods from across Europe including Dutch cheese, Belgian chocolates, Polish jewellery, and fruit and nuts from Turkey. The market will open between 9 am and 5 pm each day.

Councillor John O’Neill, Deputy Leader of Wigan Council said, ‘The French markets we have held in the past have been hugely successful and have attracted people from miles around. This time we wanted to offer a wider range of goods from all over the continent to bring a complete European experience to Wigan. The arrival of the continental market is proof of the changing face of Wigan and how we are enhancing the shopping experience. It is unique events like this that brings visitors to Wigan and allows them to see what else the town has to offer, encouraging them to return again and again.’

Wigan is set to stage its own mini-Glastonbury next month. The Haigh Music Festival will take place on Sunday June 17 at Haigh Hall and Country Park and will feature unsigned bands from the town. The event runs from 12 – 8 pm and is being organised by the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust and the Wigan Music Collective. Admission is free.