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Pennington Hall Park - Gift of Pennington Hall

 

George Shaw of Geo. Shaw & Co., Brewery Ltd. became the second Mayor of Leigh in 1900 and set up The Anchor Cable Company Limited to bring new industry to the town. But when he decided to retire to Southport, Geo. Shaw & Co., Brewery Ltd. offered a 999 year lease on Pennington Hall, buildings and grounds to Leigh Corporation for use as a park, pleasure or recreation ground.

 

In December 1919 Councillor W. Grundy, J.P., the first Labour Mayor of Leigh considered the gift ‘an excellent addition to the town’s interests‘ and moved that the Corporation accept it which was seconded by Councillor J. Ashworth. Ashworth who had singlehandedly gained Lilford Park for the town added that ‘If teas were provided, as he hoped they would be at Pennington, then the workers could get away at night and on Saturday afternoons, and be out in the country, and come back like giants refreshed.‘

 

Sadly, the Hall only stood for another 44 years, being demolished in 1963 due to dry rot, but the Friends of Pennington Hall Park still provide teas in their delightful vintage style Tea Room, ‘Penningtons’. Unfortunately we must forgo refreshments at this time to continue on our trail to Etherstone Street.

 

Image of Pennington Hall.

 

Click here for a map for this part of the tour.