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'''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.
'''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 [[Textile|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. During [[World War I]] a [[prisoner of war]] camp was established in the town to house German soldiers.<ref>[https://gm1914.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/leigh-prisoner-of-war-camp/ Leigh Prisoner of War Camp]</ref> 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.
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 [[Textile|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.<ref>[https://gm1914.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/leigh-prisoner-of-war-camp/ Leigh Prisoner of War Camp]</ref> 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]].
Leigh lends its name to a Parliamentary constituency, Leigh and Atherton, which covers those towns and nearby [[Golborne]], [[Lowton]] and [[Tyldesley]].