Historical Events relating to the 'Mesnes' in Wigan

AD 69 - 75

Stray loss of a Roman coin, a gold Aureus dated AD 69, from the reign of Emperor Vitellius and found on the Mesnes during 1850, at a position close to Parson's Walk. 1

Construction of town defences during the Roman military occupation. Major earthworks consisting of a bank and ditch around Wigan and passing through the Mesnes were observed in the early 1800's. Roman coinage found near to the interior perimeter of the construction both in Wigan Rectory grounds and Mesnes Field indicative of this dating.

AD 75 - 100

Construction of the Wigan to Walton-Le-Dale Roman Road thought to align with present day Mesnes Street. 2 Archaeological excavations at Brimlow Farm seem to confirm this.

Construction of the Wigan to Ribchester Roman Road, Mesnes field boundary regression seems to infer this would be in alignment with the current route of Dicconson Street.

AD 1086

Domesday Book published in 1086 mentions;- 'church of the manor of Newton'. 3
Possibly Wigan All Saints Church and origin for the name 'Demesnes' applied to Wigan?
In this instance the Rector being local Lord of the Manor, later abbreviated to 'Mesnes'.

AD 1066- 86

Possible building of a Manor House and Rectory surrounded by a moat located on the elevated site of Wigan Hall in New Market Street, this is consistent with mention of a manorial Church in the Domesday Book and transition from Saxon to Norman authority?

1619

Rector Bridgeman compiled a terrier of the demesnes lands of the Rectory including Parson's Meadow and the 'Mesnes'. It was noted 'Potters used to come for clay to the Parson's wastes, undertaking to make the land level again'. 4

30th June 1837

Wigan Rectory Glebe Act secures 12 acres of land located at the north western part of the Mesnes, for the recreation and enjoyment of the people of Wigan to which they had long been accustomed on these lands.

December 1863

Work progressing, with the Rector's agreement, on a new walk in the north western area of the Mesnes ‘for the convenience and recreation of persons visiting the Mesnes'. 5

1871

Wigan Rectory Glebe Act 1871was obtained to continue mining for coal under the Mesnes.

1877

The New Market Hall was opened in Wigan town centre.

1877

Wigan Corporation held a competition to determine the design of Mesnes Park won by a Mr. J. Mc Lean.

1839 -42

Mesnes Collieries were sunk and a tramroad was later constructed during the 1840's to service the Mesnes Colliery No. 2.

5th August 1878

The entrance gateway from Mesnes Park Terrace into Mesnes Park and the entrance Lodge (altered 1928) were both completed during 1878.

Formal opening of Mesnes Park by Nathaniel Eckersley acknowledging his contribution as benefactor providing the Mesnes land as a recreational venue for the people of Wigan.

November 1st 1880

Mesnes Park Pavilion and Bandstand were opened around 1880, together with the Dalton double flights of steps situated both to the west and south of the Pavilion.

Mesnes Colliery closed during 1880.

1903

The Boer War Memorial unveiled in Mesnes Park in a ceremony attended by local dignatories. The statue cost was raised by public subscription to honour the Wigan soldiers that fell during the South African war.

1910

The Powell Memorial was unveiled in Mesnes Park.

25th August 1980

Mesnes Conservation Area was designated by Wigan MBC.

21 November 1984

The Mesnes Conservation Area was extended by Wigan MBC.

1996

Mesnes Park was included in the English Heritage Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.

December 2006

Mesnes Conservation Area Appraisal published by Wigan MBC. A non-statutory Public Hearing was held at the Oak Hotel, Wigan, to consider the application of Ms Kim Darby to register Mesnes Field as a Town Green under the Commons Act 2006. Witnesses were called to support the claim from the Mesnes Conservation Area Neighbourhood.

2007

A Heritage Lottery Fund bid for restoration of Mesnes Park was submitted.

2008

Mesnes Conservation Area Action Group formed by local opposition to Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust plans to build a Depot on No. 1 Bowling Green in Mesnes Park.

6th April 2010

Plans for a Wigan Boys and Girls Club to be constructed on the Mesnes Field Conservation Area, given provisional approval by Wigan MBC Planning Committee.

26th May 2010

A non-statutory Public Inquiry was held at the Oak Hotel, Wigan, to consider the application of Mr Ian Bryant to register Mesnes Field as a Town or Village Green under the Commons Act 2006. Witnesses gave verbal evidence to support the claim.

July 2010

Wigan Council Regulation Committee accepted the recommendation from the Report of David Manley Q.C., subsequent to the Public Hearing, and hence rejected the application for a Town Green on Mesnes Field on the grounds stated within the Inspectors Report.

18th April 2011

A non-statutory Public Hearing was held at the Oak Hotel, Wigan, to consider the application of Ms Kim Darby to register Mesnes Field as a Town Green under the Commons Act 2006. Witnesses were called to support the claim from the Mesnes Conservation Area Neighbourhood.

3rd June 2011

Wigan Council Regulation Committee accepted the recommendation from the Report of David Manley Q.C., subsequent to the Public Hearing, and hence rejected the application for a Town Green on Mesnes Field on the grounds stated within the Inspectors Report.

Brian Parr
Mesnes Conservation Area Group

1. HER/SMR Ref. 894.1.0
2. Margary 1957: p. 101.
3. HER/SMR 4201.1.0
4. Bridgeman p 268
5. Wigan Examiner 1836