The Wingates Independent Methodist movement was formed about 1810 when they left the Wesleyan Methodist movement and eventually built Wingates Independent Methodist Church and school in the Square in 1835. In 1871 a larger church and school was built in Dixon Street. This church was subsequently demolished in 2002.
1873- Wingates Band formed by members of the Bible Class of Wingates Independent Methodist Chapel. 1907 – Wingates Band pictured after achieving the “Double –double” ie British Open and British National Champions in 1906 and 1907.
1904 Westhoughton Town Hall was designed by Bradshaw and Gas, built from red Ruabon terra cotta bricks, completed and opened in 1904. Above the clock face is an octagonal bell turret. Above that is a copper dome on top of which is a copper goblet surmounted by the cross of St George.
1910 – 21st Dec Explosion in the no. 3 pit (Pretoria) of the Hulton Colliery company.
344 lives lost. Memorial to Pretoria victims in St Bartholomew’s cemetery.
1910 – Hall Lee Bank Park opened – donated by Sir William Rothwell Hulton.
1915 – Empire cinema opened – On Empire day 24th May.
1920 – Market site established – covered and fenced in 1924.
1924 – Trams from Westhoughton to Bolton started running.
1936 – Stotts pit closed 14th Nov – the last working pit in Westhoughton.
Stott’s Pit was located between James Street and the railway. The last pit in Westhoughton to close in 1936 because of flooding.
1950 – Major problem- Westhoughton needed new sewage system but couldn’t afford one!
1951 – Westhoughton included in Lancashire County Development plan.
Salford City Council wanted to build overspill/council houses at Westhoughton but withdrew in 1957.
1958 Westhoughton UDC resolves to participate in the housing of Manchester’s overspill population.
July1963 Manchester Corporation submitted a compulsory purchase order for most of Westhoughton to the Minister for Housing and Local Government
August 1963 Westhoughton UDC resolves to withdraw from the overspill scheme.
Oct 1963 – Public Inquiry into Town Map and Compulsory purchase order opened
Westhoughton Local history 