PUBLIC LIBRARY: The Carnegie Library which was opened in 1906, is a building of pleasing architecture and design situated in a prominent position at the junction of Wigan Road and Bryn Street. The accommodation comprises a modern lending library, reading and reference rooms for adults and children, and a spacious lecture hall reserved for free use by local organizations interested in social education and the arts. The Library is well stocked with a comprehensive selection of literature on all subjects and approximately 90,000 books are issued annually.

HOUSING: The Council have built 1,532 dwellings under the Housing Acts, of which 1,136 have been completed during the post-war period. The principal estates are situated at Landgate, Bryn, Rectory Road and Bolton Road, and a new estate, which will eventually comprise some 500 dwellings, is being developed at Low Bank Road. With regard to slum clearance, the Council have been particularly active. During the past two years 118 dwellings have been dealt with under the Housing Acts and it is proposed to deal with a further 350 dwellings during the next four years.

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES: Educational facilities (provided by Division 13 of the Lancashire Education Committee) are available for all ages and classes of children as is shown in the following list of schools which exist in the Ashton-in-Makerfield Urban District.

INFANTS: County - 1, Church of England, Roman Catholic - 3.

JUNIOR: County - 1, Church of England - 3.

JUNIOR AND INFANTS COMBINED: Church of England - 1, Undenominational - 1.

JUNIOR AND SENIOR COMBINED: Roman Catholic - 2.

ALL AGES: Roman Catholic - 1.

SPECIAL FOR THE EDUCATIONALLY SUBNORMAL: County - 1.

SECONDARY (Boys): County - 1.

SECONDARY (Girls): County - 1.

GRAMMAR (Mixed): County - 1.

The district is a re-organised area for pupils in attendance at County and C. of E. Schools, the Junior Schools of which are contributory schools to the two County Secondary Schools in the township. It is expected that a new R.C. Secondary Modern School will shortly be completed thus providing secondary education for all children resident in Ashton-in-Makerfield.

Both the single-sex County Secondary Schools are three form entry in size and the Mixed County Grammar School, to which pupils are admitted on the results of the Lancashire County Education Committee's selection procedure, is normally slightly less than three form entry in size.

There is an evening institute in the district, held in the premises of the Ashton County Secondary School. Preliminary craft, preliminary National Certificate and preliminary commercial courses are available for school leavers whilst single subject classes in woodwork, dressmaking, cookery and first aid are available for adults. The annual number of students exceeds 300.

PARKS AND OPEN SPACES: The Council have provided, and maintain, the following parks and recreation grounds:

Jubilee Parks (Wigan Road), 11.0 acres

Bowling Greens, Tennis Courts and Pavilion (Council Avenue), 1.50 acres

Recreation Grounds:

Golborne Road , 5.25 acres

Garswood Road, 2.75 acres

Whithill Street, 6.00 acres

King George V Playing Field, Armoury Bank, 4.72 acres

Bryn Road South, 0.48 acres

Liverpool Road, 2.07 acres

In addition to the above the Urban District contains four separate areas of common land comprising approximately 37 acres to which the public have a right of access and recreation.

SPORT AND RECREATION: There are numerous sports clubs in the district which provide facilities for bowls, cricket, soccer, rugby and tennis.

For the golfer there is a 9-hole golf course at Bryn Road and an excellent 18-hole course just over the Urban District boundary at Haydock. Haydock Park Racecourse, which is wel1 known to race-goers, is situated on the southern boundary of the Urban District.

ELECTRICITY: Ashton-in-Makerfield's electricity supply is provided by the North Western Electricity Board whose local offices are situated in Standishgate, Wigan. Full details of the tariffs can be obtained from their service centre and showrooms in Bryn Street.

GAS: The North Western Gas Board, whose offices are at Radiant House, St. Helens, are responsible for the supply of gas in the Urban District. The Board have showrooms and works at Princess Road.

WATER: The Council are responsible for the supply and distribution of water in the district and obtain their supplies from their own reservoirs and from Liverpool Corporation Rivington Aqueduct.

PUBLIC HALL: The Council own a public hall at Morden Avenue which is available for letting for dances and other similar functions at reasonable charges. It has seating accommodation for 400 persons and a ballroom to provide comfortable space for 400 dancers.