Leigh, Lancashire
Leigh is a town in southern Lancashire. Manchester lies 13 miles to the east along the A580 East Lancs Road and Wigan is around 6 miles to the north-west.
Divided in allegiance during the English Civil War, a battle was fought at the town in 1842, in which Parliamentarian forces from nearby Atherton (Chowbenters) successfully repelled a Royalist army led by the Earl of Derby. A centre for textiles during the Industrial Revolution, a local man Thomas Highs (1718-1803) patented the spinning jenny, one of the key inventions in the industrialisation of textile production. The areas was also known for the manufacure of cheese until the 19th century. During World War I a prisoner of war camp was established in the town to house German soldiers.[1] Coal mining was a major employer until the late 20th century, with Parsonage Colliery (operational 1921-1992) having some of the deepest shafts in Great Britain. Other collieries at Leigh included Bedford, Bickershaw and West Leigh.
Leigh lends its name to a Parliamentary constituency, Leigh and Atherton, which covers those towns and nearby Golborne, Lowton and Tyldesley.
Administration
Local government in Leigh is the responsibility of Wigan Council.
