Remembering the Pretoria Pit Disaster 21st December 2024

21 Dec

On Saturday 21st December the Mayor, accompanied by the Mayoress, attended the early morning service (7.45am) in Ditchfield Gardens as the time of the Disaster 114 years ago was remembered. Maroons were fired at the time of the explosion. The service was led by Revd. Pharoah and was attended by Phil Brickell MP, Father Christopher and Revd. Dr Malcolm Wearing, several Councillors and members of Westhoughton Local History Group and other members of the public.

There was then a service at 10am at St Bartholomew’s Church to which the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Professor George Holmes attended and joined the Mayor, Councillor Neil Maher, Phil Brickell MP, David Kaye (WLHG), Church Wardens of St Bartholomew’s, Westhoughton High School and Councillor John McHugh in laying a wreath at the memorial in Westhoughton Cemetery. The Head Boy and Head Girl of Westhoughton High School read the Bible readings during the service, which was attended by members of the community.

Next year is the 115th Anniversary of this poignant disaster and it will be interesting for our Westhoughton families to find out and share their family stories of the disaster. If you know that your family was affected by this local disaster, please contact the Town Clerk (townclerk@westhoughtontc.gov.uk).