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The Generous
Gidlows by Nicola Gray
From The 7th Earl of Balcarres to Margaret Park to GH Bankes to Martin Ainscough, Wigan has been blessed with its fair share of philanthropists over the years. Pre-empting that worthy quartet though were two sisters, born over 200 years ago, whose philanthropy made, and continues to make, a huge difference in improving the health of Wigan people.
As a family they were understandably wealthy, the sisters lived a life of education and refinery befitting of the era. On his death in January 1851, William passed down his portfolio of railway shares to the sisters, inevitably securing them for life. The shares provided large sums of annual income and gave Margaret and Amelia the opportunity to donate to charitable institutions.
Margaret Eleanor and Amelia Gidlow were born at Derbyshire House, Amberswood, Ince. Their father, William, was descended from Robert Gidlow of Gidlow Hall in Aspull. It seems there was always wealth within the family, but William also owned several collieries in the town, including a three-storey cotton mill, he also invested extensively in railway shares.
They later moved to Arley Hall, known today as the home of Wigan Golf Club, with their brother William in 1856. The focus, it seems, for Margaret and Amelia was always their hometown. They ploughed money into various institutions and services to better the lives of those who lived around them.
Arley Hall
