The nickname for the townsfolk of Westhoughton for time immemorial has been ‘Cow heads’ or ‘Cow-yeds’ in a Lancashire accent, a term which is steeped in folklore.
The origin of the name comes from a legend that describes a farmer who found his cow with its head stuck in a new five barred gate, and, rather than damage the gate, he cut the cow’s head off, as the cow cost less than the gate.
The nickname has stuck fast and in subsequent years has bridged the generations.
Now an statue of a horned cow, burnished in brushed gold, has been installed on Cricketers Way, alongside two other pieces of public art.
Three pieces of public art have been installed.
Happily, the impressive artwork portrays the cow with its head firmly attached to its body.
The sporting past of the town is also marked with a cricket bat and wickets at the site of the old Westhoughton cricket club which was replaced by a Sainsbury’s store.
A greyhound represents the town’s former dog track at nearby Hart Common, now replaced by the Hewlett Way housing estate.
All three statues were paid for through Section 106 contributions which is money set aside by developers of Sainsbury’s and other housing schemes to benefit the community.
Some of the funds were ring-fenced for public art and the history of Westhoughton was chosen as the subject.
Admiring the statues on his way to the supermarket was Barrie Ashton, 78, who unhesitatingly describes himself as a ‘cow-yed’.
It’s definitely said ‘cowyed’ not ‘cowhead’ tha knows,” he said.
“I don’t take offence at the name, I think it’s funny and affectionate and it goes back a long way. “I remember saying it as a schoolboy and I still use it.
“I was on the bus to Wigan the other week and a fella I know got on and called me a cow yed.
“He’s a Wiganer so I called him a ‘pie eater’, it was all in good spirits.
“I think the sculptures look good. It does brighten up the area.”
Taking pictures of the art works was another Westhoughton resident, Tracy Wilkinson, 52.
She said: “There’s been a lot of development in Westhoughton over the years, a lot of new houses and I suppose it’s a way of putting a little bit back.
“It may help the younger generation learn a bit more of the town’s history.
“I’ve never taken offence to ‘cow-yed’, I don’t think people around here do.
“I’m taking pictures to show to my parents, who are both housebound.
“My dad used to go to the greyhound track and was sad when it closed.
“I’m sure it will provoke a few memories for both mum and dad when I show them the pictures.”
An inscription on the cricket bat and wickets, reads: “In memory and thanks to the players, supporters and staff at Westhoughton cricket club, Est 1856, for their commitment to the club and their contribution to cricket.”
Placed on the statue’s plinth was a fresh bunch of flowers, in all likelihood left in memory of a former player or supporter.
The inscription on the greyhound piece, states: “In memory of all the greyhounds who ran at Westhoughton greyhound track, 1951-2013.”
A report which went before Bolton’s planning committee explained the reasoning behind the choices of artwork.
It said: “The proposal is for three locally significant sculptures, which have been designed in consultation with local ward councillors.
“One depicts a greyhound in a seated position, cast in bronze and painted black.
“The cricket bat and stumps is cast and painted in bronze.
“The third sculpture depicts a horned cow and is cast in heavy-duty recycled aluminium, hand finished in brushed gold.
“It is the largest of the three, the cow sculpture will be mounted on the ground.”
The report add the sculptures would be arranged in a linear formation on highway land ‘forming an attractive installation of public art that will be easily visible by both pedestrians and vehicle users’.