17th November, 2006
Lamberhead Green lies about 2.5 miles west of Wigan town centre. Although it has now merged with Pemberton and Orrell, it still retains its individual character.
Until the late nineteenth century, like most expanding areas, it had problems with water supply: but it did have one excellent and reliable well named the Pingate or Pingot which lay near Smithy Brook to the south east of the village.
The picture on the right shows the site of the well as it is now. (2006)
In the 1870s those who did not wish to carry water the half mile to the village paid carters 1d for delivery of four gallons.
Worrell's Wigan and District Directory of 1872 sums up the importance of the well in this way:
Pemberton
"Though the township is very populous the supply of water is precarious,
but one well at Lamberhead Green (Pingate) is noted for its excellent quality."
As early as the 18th century, Wigan had reservoirs to collect fresh water, which was then piped to some districts of the town. By 1880, 960 houses in Pemberton (including Lamberhead Green) were supplied with water in this way.
On 24th of November 1880, a meeting of the "Water and Parliamentary Committee" decided that the Pingate well should be closed as a water supply, by "being covered with a stone or birch arch, and a 9in iron pipe laid from the well into the bed of the stream to a point 20 yds east of the well..."
Word spread through the village that the favourite well was to be closed and a meeting of the inhabitants decided to oppose the closure. About 100 people arrived on the scene. Only the presence of the police prevented a riot.
This is how the incident was reported in the Wigan Observer on Dec. 4th 1880:
"Pemberton
Pingot Well - The local board having determined to close the above well as a water supply,
a good deal of excitement has been caused at Lamberhead Green
as the well has supplied the village with water for several generations.
On Wednesday morning some workmen being engaged, there was a meeting of the inhabitants
called by the crier to attend at Pingot Well.
About a hundred persons put in an appearance but as no one seemed inclined to take the initiative nothing was done,
and the workmen went on peaceably with the work. In the event of a disturbance the police had instructions
to deal with the disturbance of the peace."