The Parish of Westhoughton in the County of -- Lancashire --

Westhoughton – First Newspapers

July 1890 to March 1894

The “Westhoughton Echo and District Advertiser”

The “Westhoughton Echo and District Advertiser” printed some 3000 copies at a shop on Market St (still called Excelsior Press today).

The Printer was Mr Robert Clough and the Manager was Mr John Partington of Chorley Rd., Wingates.

The principal item of news in this first issue concerned the counting of the voting papers and the announcement of the result of the Local Board election.

Advertisement for Hulton Colliery Co’s Coal, “delivered into customers’ carts at the Chequerbent Depot”

A review of 1890 published in the last issue of the year, reveals that:-

“In all branches of trade in the township, with the exception of the manufacturer of silk, there has been a considerable improvement, and the town now seems to be steadily and quietly emerging from the low and depressed condition in which it has unfortunately been for many years”

After referring to the quick settlement of a coal strike, briskness in the coal trade and the steadiness of the local cotton industry, the “Echo” mentions the introduction of hosiery and confectionery businesses into the township.

The formation of a new Co-operative Society at Chequerbent, with Mr. James Tonge as president and Mr Henry Tate secretary.

The damaging of the old factory chimney by lightening.

The appointment of Mr T Hope to succeed the late Mr T Colling as head master of the Parochial School.

The opening on March 29th of a new Conservative Club, by Mr Frank Hardcastle M.P. This Club was erected at a cost of £1,000.

The close of this article, the “Echo” comments “it may not be out of place to mention that the township of Westhoughton is a very large one, and stands about the third on the list of the largest townships in the county of Lancaster.”

The “Echo” ran for nearly four years and it was succeeded immediately by “The Westhoughton and Hindley Times” the first number issued on Friday, April 6th 1894.

April 1894 to 1897

The “Westhoughton and Hindley Times”

The “Times” records that – “In consequence of the new Local Government Act of 1894 coming into force, we shall not have any Local Board elections this spring. But in November next we shall make up for it by having elections wholesale, and by going in for a fresh start under fresh conditions, and brand new boards – and perhaps some new members.

The Last of the old-fashioned vestry or township meetings have been held, Peace be with them. They no doubt served their day, and generation at one time, but for years past they have been utterly inadequate and unsuitable except to the few. There has been a good deal of ‘cooking’ done at them for the benefit of the privileged, officials, and this who ruled the roost, but often to the detriment of the village or township.

According to one who has a faint recollection of this period, the “Times” never seemed to become really popular, and went out of existence within three years’ time. Mr Boulton, editor and Mr Partington, advertising manager, were discouraged by this reverse, but Mr Clough, who had again been the printer, persisting in his view that there was ample scope for a local newspaper in the district, refused to be beaten.

1897 to 1912

The “Westhoughton Recorder”

Within a very few weeks’ time he had established “Westhoughton Recorder” which ran weekly for a period of 15 years, and which Mr Clough eventually had to relinquish owing to the calls of his general business.

“The Recorder” started as a Liberal paper, evidently became Independent, and fulfilled a genuine need in the hearts and homes of Westhoughton people of its generation.