Historic Leigh business which built Leigh Library and Tyldesley Swimming baths unveils centenary video to mark 100 years

The business, which has been part of the Leigh community for a century, was founded by George Moss back in September 1920.

It was originally a joinery business but later evolved into a house builder and construction business and now owns Moss Industrial Estate on St. Helen’s Road.

Over the last 100 years, George Moss & Sons Ltd built many important local building such as Leigh Library, Bedford High School, Leigh Market, St. Helen’s Law Courts, Tyldesley Swimming Baths as well as banks, churches, bowling alleys and cinemas.

The centenary video was filmed over the summer when it became clear that the business wouldn’t be able to hold any of the events it had planned to celebrate the occasion but, according the current owner and fifth generation of the Moss family, Sebastian Moss, it’s been a very special way to mark the occasion.

Sebastian said: “George Moss & Sons has had a big impact on the community for 100 years and people have so many wonderful stories to tell about the business and the projects they individually were involved in and so we wanted to involve them in this special project.

“It has been a fantastic experience to hear from those people who helped to shape the business and played an important part in its history.”

The centenary video features builders, joiners and surveyors who worked for George Moss & Sons throughout its history as well as current staff.

Among people to feature in the video are 92-year-old Jack Hunt, from Glazebury.

Jack was a surveyor for George Moss & Sons just after the Second World War when he was just starting out in his career.

He worked on several local bridges, such as Leigh Bridge and Hindley Green Bridge, and buildings such as St. Luke’s Church in Lowton.

Jack said: “George Moss & Sons has a history of excellent builders. I wish them well and I think they will do well because it’s in the blood.”

The video also features Tony Jennings, 73, from Leigh, who was a bricklayer for George Moss & Sons in the 1960s.

He started as an apprentice at 15 years old and worked on the Market Hall in Leigh.

David Eastwood, 66, an apprentice carpenter and joiner in the early 1970s, says he wouldn’t be where he is today without George Moss & Sons. David helped to make all the fixtures and fittings for Leigh Library, the old Odeon cinema (now Wetherspoons), the former TSB Bank and several local pubs.

He said: “George Moss & Sons built quite a lot of big projects like Leigh Library as well as banks, churches and cinemas. I’d like to thank them for all the chances I got.”

Local residents, Malcolm and Barbara Ryding, were also interviewed for the video.

They lived in a house built by George Moss & Sons Ltd in the 1980s where they spent 17 very happy years raising their family.

Malcolm said: “I first knew George Moss because they were a principal Leigh company. They have been part of the lifeblood of Leigh and District for 100 years.

"As a Leigh brand and a Leigh company and a Leigh name and a Leigh family, that meant a lot to local people.”

Earlier this year, to kick off George Moss & Sons’ centenary year, school children from Lowton Junior and Infant School buried two special time capsules at Moss Industrial Estate along with the Mayor of Wigan.

The time capsules contained the children’s letters, drawings, photos and other important local items they collected for future generations to discover.

Sebastian Moss, managing director at George Moss & Sons Ltd, said: “To mark our centenary, we wanted to involve the local community as well as past and present employees so I am delighted that we have managed to achieve that during what has been a very challenging year for everyone.

“We are very proud to be a Leigh business and we hope that our community enjoy this short video and will join us in celebrating this very special milestone and all the wonderful buildings and local industry that we have in Leigh.”