Wigan

Mar 22, Wigan Literary Festival

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.

Dec 28, Historic park wins funding

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.’

Dec 11, World Pie Eating Championships

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.

Nov 21, North West Restaurants serve the best fish and chips, and burgers

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.

Nov 1, Celebrate bonfire night at Haigh Hall

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.