News from library authorities:
Wigan
The Billingers Tour: Wigan Libraries bring local history back home.
Back in the 1970's, one of the most successful local history titles to be published in the Wigan area was "The Billingers" by Richard Donald Lewis.
It was a nicely-produced, well illustrated hardback book telling the story of one Lancashire village and its people, and, as is often the case with local publications, it soon sold out. There was one reprint, due to popular demand, but then the book went the way of many other local titles, and for the last decade has been available only through libraries and occasional second-hand sales.
Richard Donald Lewis is not just a local historian: he is a world authority on cross-cultural issues - more specifically the impact on cultural factors in international business.
He has worked and taught abroad for many years, and is fluent in a dozen languages (not counting the Wigan-Billinge dialect).
It was his concern that the unique character of Billinge : a Lancashire mining village whose inhabitants had an old-fashioned and original way of speaking and acting that differed sharply from surrounding Wigan and St. Helens' districts: was disappearing. Richard was anxious to preserve, in some form of record, the history and character of the Victorian and Edwardian Billingers and also to record for future generations the ferocious dialect, which Billingers and Wiganers shared.
So "The Billingers" was written, becoming a classic book on the life and character of the Lancashire Coalfield and its people.
In 2009, a much expanded third edition has been published through the Wigan Heritage Network. The new edition has over 100 new photographs and an expanded section on the dialect shared by Billinge and nearby mining communities, but different from the "lanky" of the rest of the county.
Wigan Libraries were delighted to have the opportunity to support a short but intense promotional tour, taking Mr Lewis and his book to five libraries, as well as schools and other venues, during one week in November 2009.
Many younger authors would baulk at eight events in one week, but Mr Lewis, at 79 years old, took it in his stride, and was delighted to meet many old friends and long-lost family members along the way. Each signing session was close to a sell-out, and everyone enjoyed meeting with an author who is still passionate about his home village, its history and quaint customs, and it's rich and strong native dialect.
"The Billingers" is available from The Wigan Heritage Network for £15.00 and a DVD on the Billinge-Wigan Dialect "Howd thi din un cahr thi dehn" (A treat for anyone interested in Lancashire Dialect) is also available for £5.00 - Contact Joe Taylor on 01942 700060 for more information.
For more information contact: Stephen Lythgoe on 01942 404 566
