People & Places

Every place has a story. Every person has a voice.

From local history and heritage to community projects and personal experiences, explore the people and places that shape our communities.

Through features, conversations and photography, Common Threads shines a light on the stories, connections and everyday experiences that make our towns wha

  • Remembering Dr Kamal Gupta, MB, BS.

    For those living in Leigh and the surrounding areas, Dr Kamal Gupta was a familiar and respected figure. A dedicated GP, he served the community with compassion and professionalism until his passing in 2021. His medical career spanned several decades, leaving a legacy of commitment, care, and community spirit. Born and educated in India, Dr…

  • French Culture Takes Center Stage at Angers Twinning Association’s Wine and Cheese Tasting

    The rich tapestry of French flavours and culture took centre stage at the Angers Twinning Association’s annual Wine and Cheese Tasting, a highlight of French Week. Now in its fourth year, this event celebrates Wigan twinning with the French town of Angers, fostering community spirit and cultural appreciation. The evening offered an insightful exploration into…

  • Business Bitesize: Industry Panel of Women Leaders Inspires Ahead of International Women’s Day

    This week, Wigan Council’s Business Consortium hosted its Business Bitesize event at Wigan and Leigh College ahead of International Women’s Day. The event featured a keynote speech from solicitor Cecilia Goodwin, followed by an industry panel Q&A and networking session. Despite the barriers women often face in the business world, a recent UK Government report…

  • Express Yourself at The Coffee Stop’s Spoken Word Swap

    Since July 2024, The Coffee Stop has hosted Leigh’s very own spoken word evening, Word Swap, led by Julie McKiernan. Taking place on the third Thursday of every month, the event encourages local poets, writers, and anyone who wishes to express themselves creatively through the written word to perform. Featuring performances of poetry, prose, and…

  • How Bolton’s Armed Forces Breakfast Club Supports Veterans in Battling Loneliness and Isolation

    On a cold morning in Bolton, former Paratrooper Ken Royles sits at the table with a hearty breakfast and steaming tea, sharing stories of his service. Like many veterans, the transition to civilian life has brought the struggles of loneliness and isolation. “No veteran wants or needs sympathy, they want understanding.”, Ken says. “Civilians don’t…

  • Wigan Business Awards 2024 celebrate extraordinary local businesses and their impact

    Local achievements took centre stage as businesses gathered to celebrate at the Wigan Business Awards at The Edge on November 8. Organised by Nichola Howard and Jo Leigh, founders of Launch Event Northwest in Atherton, the awards celebrated the achievements of 75 finalists across 22 categories, showcasing a diverse range of businesses such as tourism,…

  • Fresh and dynamic fashion show held by local charity

    Daffodils Dreams, a local charity, hosted a fresh and dynamic fashion show at Whelans Bar on the 6th of October, showcasing an array of pre-loved clothing. The fashion show was organised by the Wigan-based charity Daffodils Dreams, which supports local children and families by providing essential items and positive life experiences to those in need.…

  • Being your authentic self: How Savvy Style helps local children build confidence through Personal Style

    Local stylist Natacha Diskin, known as Savvy Style, is helping children build confidence through workshops focused on personal style and self-expression. Aimed at students in their final year of primary school transitioning to secondary, these workshops address the low self-esteem that often begins in childhood, empowering kids to embrace their individuality. Recently, I had the…

  • A stand out event: The Not So Silent Movie Night at The Old Courts.

    I’ve attended several events at Wigan’s multi-arts centre, The Old Courts, but The Not So Silent Movie Night truly stood out. With its unique twist, this event immediately captured my attention. The evening promised plenty of fun, featuring a diverse selection of silent films from various genres and eras, all set to live music by…

  • Daffodils Dreams, the charity lighting up children’s lives.

    Daffodil Dreams was founded by Maureen Holcroft in 2018 after she read an article revealing that nearly forty percent of Wigan’s children live below the poverty line. This statistic shocked Maureen and made her reflect on all the everyday comforts her family and friends took for granted. Struck by this stark contrast, Maureen decided to…