Historical Leigh - Leigh On Its Dignity

January 25, 2016 by Carole Mulroney

LEIGH ON ITS DIGNITY

Remarkable scenes were witnessed at Leigh, when certain inhabitants avenged what they termed an insult to their native place by burning the effigy of a Southend Town Councillor on the mud after carrying it through the streets. The offence alleged was that at a public meeting at Southend the Councillor referred to Leigh as ‘that dirty little slum village’.

The ‘Director of Ceremonies’ (at the burning) was attired in deep mourning, and led the procession, those taking part also being attired in black.

The cortege proceeded slowly up Leigh Hill and traversed the principal streets of the town to the accompaniment of an euphonium. The player opened with a few bars of the Dead March, and quickly changed into ‘The Soldiers of the King’, ‘Sally broke the jam pot’ etc.* The burning took place near Billet Wharf, and was witnessed by a very large crowd. The coffin was placed on the top of a pile of faggots 30ft high, and was burned to the refrain of ‘Who Killed Cock Robin?’.