A Short History of the Township of Tyldesley

natural source was shelved on the question of annual cost. Instead, application was made to the City of Manchester for a supply, and Tyldesley in 1867 made an agreement with that authority for a fixed quantity of water to be supplied weekly. In 1893 Astley township was supplied with water by Tyldesley for a period to expire after 30 years. In 1903 Tyldesley had to make a new agreement with Manchester for additional quantities to meet the needs of expansion and growth, steadily taking place. When the 1893 agreement ended in 1923, Astley obtained water direct from Manchester: the amalgamation of Tyldesley and Astley in 1933 complicated these arrangements for the supply of a natural element, without which the two townships under modern conditions could not continue for long to function.
The availability of water, constant and under pressure, made it possible for it to flow up through pipes and to be laid on to houses in any room. This pressure enabled fire brigades to operate with greater mastery over that ever present danger to industry and life. Tyldesley in 1865 had its fire engine, which Matthew Owen kept in readiness in Castle Street. By 1879 the brigade was stationed in Lower Elliott Street. Captain Darlington was the superintendent. The same supply led to agitation for public baths. The controversy in the council chamber extended to convulse the whole township and there arose two bitter camps, the pro- and the anti-baths. Eventually the cause of progress triumphed and in 1876 the Union Street Swimming Baths were declared open.

William Ramsden Disappears, 1869

     William Ramsden inherited the Shakerley Colliery from his uncle, Nathan Eckersley. In 1869, at the age of 35, when he was sinking another pit, the Nelson, things were going badly for him and he disappeared for a while from the local scene. His action caused a stir and Hewlett, vicar of Astley, in his diary makes these two entries: Tuesday, March 23rd. William Ramsden, coal proprietor of Tyldesley, has not been seen since last Friday, when he went to the Bank at Bolton, or rather set to go, for they have ascertained he has not been. Monday, May 17th. William Ramsden made his appearance at one of the collieries at a very early hour, having it is said, walked from Liverpool. He has been in Ireland all the time; his friends have been racked with anxiety about him.
     Ramsden had married the daughter of William Hesketh, who in 1838 lived in a shop in Elliott Street, owned by Jeremiah Hampson, the site of which is now Barclays Bank. She was a sensible woman and faced with the dilemma of no husband, men's wages to pay, and collieries to keep working, she approached George Green of Yew Tree Colliery and asked him to help with his experience, until the situation cleared. No doubt acute shortage of money was the