Local Life - Wigan - August 2021

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Due to the enduring kindness
of the sisters, there were
various tributes bestowed
upon them in the places that
they donated to. The Wigan
Local History and Heritage
Society have been trying to
locate these historical pieces.
The Infirmary
In gratitude to Margaret
and Amelia, a stained-glass
window was commissioned,
and installed at the eastern
end of the inner corridor
of the Gidlow Wing. The
window was accompanied by
an inscription in memory of
Margaret from Amelia.
In addition, oil paintings of
the sisters were acquired by
the hospital board and hung
in the Infirmary board room.
Peter Fleetwood, from the
Heritage Society, told Local Life, “Initial enquires with
Wigan, Wrightington & Leigh NHS to locate the above
proved fruitless and the current map of the Infirmary
shows no reference to the name of Gidlow.
Brass plaques Christ Church
Wigan Local History
& Heritage Society
Christ Church Stained Glass Window
“Over the past few months,
we have been in contact with
Infirmary officials to somehow
get the airbrushed Gidlow
name back into the Infirmary.
And we are delighted that
the Gidlow name has been
resurrected by the naming of
the Gidlow Lounge.
“We would also appreciate
any help from the public in
locating the missing paintings
and the stained-glass window.”
Ince Church
In 1888, Margaret’s servant,
William Clayton donated a bell
to Ince Church while Amelia
paid for the renovations of the
church and the vicarage, two
brass plaques commemorate
the date.
In January 1892, a beautiful
stained-glass window was
installed at Ince Church, portraying ‘The Two Sisters of
Bethany’. Canon Fergie commissioned the window, paid
for by the church in recognition of the sisters and their
“substantial aid to the churches and schools in the village”.
For more details about the
Local History & Heritage Society
or to help with their enquiries
please go online at www.wiganlocalhistory.org/
With thanks to Wigan Archives and Wigan
Local History & Heritage Society