Children trespassing on construction sites isn’t a modern phenomenon.
Picture a Saturday afternoon in August 1855, and a group of young boys playing on the Liverpool waterworks cutting, known as the goit, at Heapey. They ‘borrowed’ a hand cart and were dragging it up the hill, taking turns to get on, and be dragged down again. Great fun for a group of young boys on a summer’s day.
Thomas Preston was born in Bamber Bridge, a surviving twin, his father Robert was an engineer in a cotton mill. His mother Ann died when he was just five years old and the family had recently moved to Warth. Thomas was eleven years of age, had two sisters Alice and Catherine, and a younger brother James. His Father Robert was a power loom weaver at the Cocker’s Mill at White Coppice where Thomas’s Uncle Nicholas was the engine tenter.
On the 11th August, Thomas, and two friends jumped on a navvies cart by the goit, but as it approached the bottom of the cutting, their ‘steed’ failed to turn, and the cart toppled, tipping out the boys. Unfortunately, the cart landed on top of Thomas who received a severe cut to the back of his head. Help was sought and he and was taken home to his Father’s cottage at White Coppice.
Young Thomas survived the night but sadly died the following morning. At the inquest on the Tuesday, the coroner Mr Myres recorded a verdict of accidental death, and no blame was assigned.
Thomas was buried at St. Barnabus Church Heapey on Wednesday 15th August 1855.
Pictured: Ordnance Survey Map – White Coppice
Thanks to Janette Cordwell, Neil Rickaby of Bolton Web Design and East Lancs Engineering.
Horwich Heritage & United Utilities Summer 2024.
