This chain belonged to Hindley Urban District Council (UDC). UDCs were formed in 1894 as a result of a local government act. They were responsible for public health matters, local planning, council housing and cemeteries. UDC's shared local government responsibilities with a county council. Matters such as education and roads were the responsibility of county councils.
The heads of UDCs were called Chairmen. The Chairman wore a chain of office. The Chairman's wife, known as the Chairman's Lady, also wore a chain. This is the Chairman's Lady's chain.
The chain is made of silver gilt with enamel rose links, sewn to black velvet collar. It was purchased by public subscription and made in Birmingham in 1949. On the badge of the chain is the Hindley Coat of Arms. The coat of arms includes a hind deer, red roses to represent Lancashire and black diamonds to represent coal mining.
In 1974, following further local government reorganisation, UDC became part of Wigan Metropolitan Borough. The new Wigan MBC Coat of Arms incorporated elements of many of the former UDC crests, black diamonds were included from Hindley.
See the chain at the Museum of Wigan Life, Library Street, Wigan.
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