Borough Life Plus Spring 2023

Welcome to Borough Life Plus

Our spring 2023 edition is here – which means it’s the magazine’s 20th birthday!

This edition is certainly a celebratory one with so much good news to recognise.

To mark the momentous occasion, we took a fascinating trip down memory lane, looking back to the year 2003, to see what has changed…as well as what hasn’t!

We also paid a visit to Leigh Film Society to find out more about an innovative new scheme to offer unpaid carers in the borough with respite through film.

And finally, a purple flag now flies high over Wigan town centre in recognition of our vibrant night-time economy.

You can read more about this and some of our work to create a safe night out in the magazine.

Back in January, we learned that we’d been successful in receiving £20m of funding to see Haigh Hall restored. The funding will see the hall become a beacon for arts, culture, heritage and the environment.

The wider site will provide a welcoming space for visitors to relax and enjoy the beauty of the Woodland Park.

It will also become a focal point for the local economy, providing employment and training opportunities.

We visited Haigh Hall the day after to get some reactions to the news, which you can watch below.

There’s no hiding our excitement...The Hide Café and Coffee House at Pennington Flash is now open.

You can now enjoy a hot beverage or scrummy cake while taking in the beautiful surroundings and nature at Pennington Flash.

If you’re lucky, you may even catch a glimpse of the willow tit – an endangered bird which Pennington Flash is home to.

So, if you’re passing, be sure to pop in and sample some of the delicious treats on offer.

On a wintery November night, some of our town’s greatest community heroes gathered to celebrate the Our Town awards.

Nominations had opened months earlier and we received an influx of hundreds of worthy entries who worked hard, often behind the scenes, to make their communities brilliant.

Shortlisted nominees were invited to the glitzy ceremony which featured performances from local poets and dancers.

A huge congratulations to everyone who was nominated, and especially those who scooped awards – you’re all amazing!

2023 brings with it an exciting new year for the Museum of Wigan Life – its new exhibition, Make Some Noise: From Stage Door to Dance Floor is now open.

The exhibition celebrates Wigan Borough’s rich history of music and entertainment.

There are some amazing objects on loan to the museum, which spans from George Formby to more modern music like the Lathums and Flechettes.

You can listen to more music from the exhibition on the podcast (external link).

We’re very chuffed to have recently published another episode of the BoroughLife podcast.

The BoroughLife Podcast, presented by James and Rosie, is aimed to complement the features and information in the magazine itself.

So far, we’ve spoken to youngsters from the Leigh Youth Hub, curators from the Museum of Wigan Life and even had a special performance from local poet Louise Fazackerley.

Please download it and have a listen (external link) – and don’t forget to share with your friends and family.