THERE is a collection of images featured on the circular staircase of Bolton Museum, which features the faces of some of the town’s most famous worthies.

This week The Bolton News features eight of those who made a name for themselves in the town and subsequently further afield from a combination of passion, endeavour and downright bloody mindedness but always in a manner that might make the world a better place.

Thomas Thirkell Rostron (1905-1992)

Thomas, from Deane, was crowned ‘The King of Cobblers’. Tom first took up the boot repair business aged just 12 and was taught by a member of a bespoke bootmakers in the town.

 

He started his own business at his parents’ wash house before in 1925 moving to his own premises at 170 Fletcher Street. He became involved in showing off his craft after joining the Bolton Boot Traders Association in 1930, winning diplomas, medals and prizes, at places including the London Shoe and Leather Fair

Alice Foley MBE (1891–1974) by Colin Clough Hilton.

Bolton Museum’s collection officer Matthew Watson says of Alice’s portrait: “I was particularly excited to find it in the museum store. She is an inspirational figure, born into poverty but transformed her life and the lives of others through hard work.

 

“An active trade unionist from her early 20s, she was the first woman to work full-time as a trade union official in the Lancashire cotton industry. She also had a lifelong dedication to the cause of adult education, for which she was awarded an MBE in 1950.

“In her early years, she campaigned for the right of women to vote. So it seems fitting to celebrate her many achievements this year when we are marking the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage in the UK.”

Bill Naughton – playwright (1910 to 1992)

Bill was born in County Mayo before moving to Bolton when aged 4. He attended Saint Peter and Paul's School, Pilkington Street and worked as a weaver, coal-bagger and lorry-driver before he started writing.

BOOST: Bill Naughton and his work will be celebrated in Bolton after £40,000 funding boostBOOST: Bill Naughton and his work will be celebrated in Bolton after £40,000 funding boost

Naughton was a prolific writer of novels, short stories, plays and even children's books which leant heavily on his own experiences of working class life. His best-known works include Alfie and Spring and Port Wine.

Many of his plays were performed at the Octagon Theatre.

Dr James Barlow (1767-1839)

James is credited with performing the first caesarean section from which the mother survived in 1793.

He was born at Croichley Fold Farm, Hawkshaw. He trained as a doctor in Manchester and after that it is thought he may have attended London’s St Bart’s Hospital after he later dedicated his major publication to three well-known teachers at the hospital.

 

He began to practise in Chorley and in 1793 was called to see Jane Foster in Blackrod, where he performed a caesarean section on her on Wednesday, November 27. This was the first such operation in Britain where the mother survived. Barlow went on to perform a further three such operations in his career.

Constance Howarth (1927-2012)

Fashion designer Constance was born in Rochdale and after a short stay in Liverpool her family moved to Heaton in Bolton, when she was aged 10.

 

A student at Bolton School, Constance received the Lady Whitworth Scholarship at Manchester Municipal Art School in 1946 where she distinguished herself in arts and crafts. In 1949 she was hailed by the magazine Textiles Mercury as one of Britain’s most successful young designers.

By the 1950s, Constance was famous for her cotton prints produced in Lancashire featuring figurative, geometric, abstract and floral patterns. She made dresses to promote her printed fabrics and modelled them herself and selling designs to America after setting up her own business in 1954. In 1964 she was declared ‘Woman of the Year’ by the Design and Industries. Constance continued to create new patterns and styles, and hand make clothing from her London flat.

Blind Billy Lonsdale (born 1773-1833)

Billy was born in Breightmet in 1773. Records indicate he was given a fiddle as a young boy by the local overseers of the poor and became an accomplished musician.

 

He is the first recorded organist at Bolton Parish Church before being fired by Canon James Slade after playing a fiddle whilst drunk during a Sunday service. A famous Bolton character, he was supported by local charity. He also played with Samuel Crompton in the Bolton Orchestra and his music is still played by folk musicians today.

Sarah Reddish (1850-1928)

Sarah was born into a working-class family in Bolton. After leaving school she worked as a cotton mill worker and was a founder member of Bolton Women's Suffrage Society.

Bolton Suffragist Sarah Reddish.Bolton Suffragist Sarah Reddish.

Sarah’s name was recently included on the plinth of an 8ft bronze statue of suffragist leader Millicent Fawcett, which was unveiled in Westminster, acknowledging her role in helping get women the vote

Charles Henry Lucas CBE (1901-1987)

Charles spent his working life at Horwich locomotive works. He also served as a Councillor and was Mayor of Bolton in 1965-66. A lifelong supporter of the arts, he helped the museum to develop its art collection and was instrumental in the establishment of the Octagon Theatre.

 

Next week we will feature those who are living and still working in Bolton and the following week we will need your help to discover some mystery photographs of people displayed there who might have played a role in the life of Bolton.