Miners conflict marked with flowers at Atherton (From This Is Lancashire)

Miners conflict marked with flowers at Atherton

8:40am Thursday 29th July 2010 in

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A COAL fired battle which happened nearly 130 years ago has been commemorated with a floral tribute on the site of the Battle of Howe Bridge alongside the main road between Leigh and Atherton.

The Battle of Howe Bridge, which took place in 1881, happened when Atherton miners returned to work following a strike to protect the rights of workers injured in the pits.

Striking miners from other areas marched to Atherton to protest against the strike breakers and on a far-off January day Fletcher Burrows workers were protected by troops and magistrates who read the Riot Act near the Bridge over Colliers Brook.

The local Bridgers residents' group decided to mass plant the hill alongside the entrance to Howe Bridge Leisure Centre to commemorate the site of what has gone down in history as an industrial battle.

Cllr Sue Loudon said: "I have always thought the hill needed a feature - and over a number of years I have tried to persuade the Leisure Trust to agree to let us do it. The site looks really good and the community paid for the project through funds raised through their annual plant sale."

A spokesman for The Bridgers said: "The letters and their shape M and A stand for St. Michael and All Angels the name of the school and the local church. We plan to plant this up every year to enhance the gateway to the village of Howe Bridge."

The work was completed by a Moss Bank Nurseries of Hooten Lane, Leigh.