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39<br />
Haigh’s Back!<br />
Ownership of Haigh Hall reverted to <strong>Wigan</strong> Council on the<br />
18th June, and early proposals its future look promising.<br />
Described as the ‘jewel in the borough’s crown’, early<br />
proposals for the hall’s future will see it restored to its<br />
former glory 150 years ago, say <strong>Wigan</strong> Council, when the<br />
25th Earl of Crawford, Alexander Lindsay lived there with<br />
his wife, Elizabeth, but unlike Lindsay, the council will<br />
need to secure external funding to turn the proposals<br />
into a reality.<br />
In March the National Heritage Lottery Fund awarded<br />
<strong>Wigan</strong> Council £256k to explore the second phase of the<br />
Haigh Woodland Park project, which is hoped will result in<br />
a £6m project of improvements to the visitor experience<br />
in the woodland park.<br />
Discussions are being held about the importance of the<br />
Hall alongside that investment.<br />
If funding is agreed, the proposals will reveal hidden<br />
histories and resurrect lost stories.<br />
From the Hall’s library which housed the largest private<br />
collection of precious manuscripts, rare books and bibles<br />
in Britain, all the way down to the underground network<br />
of cellars which are a maze of medieval remains and<br />
tunnels.<br />
The Leader of <strong>Wigan</strong> Council, Councillor David Molyneux,<br />
welcomed the plans, commenting: “I am delighted that<br />
we’ve got the hall back in the hands of the people and<br />
excited to see what the future holds. The hall is a special<br />
place where many cherished memories have been made<br />
and where they will continue to be made for years to<br />
come.”<br />
Over the next few months, proposals will be developed in<br />
more detail in consultation with residents.<br />
One of the first projects is the creation of a contemplation<br />
garden next to the plantation gates, which if approved<br />
will provide a quiet space for reflection, particularly for<br />
those visiting the hospital opposite.<br />
A pilot scheme for a Sunday bus service has also received<br />
approval – helping to give more residents the opportunity<br />
to enjoy the already popular visitor destination.<br />
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