Wigan Borough Icons

Each year we invite children ages 5-11 to design an illuminated artwork of their favourite Wigan Borough Icon for Light Night Wigan! 

Three winners will be chosen by a panel of judges including Richard Ashcroft, Hacker T Dog and Blackpool Illuminations. 

The chosen entries will be translated into life-size neon artworks for Light Night Wigan 2026.   The winners will be notified by 14th October 2026. We cannot reply to everyone, so if you haven’t heard by then, thanks so much for taking part.

To enter the competition, draw a full length picture, head to toe, of your chosen icon (including any props you think might help identify them). This should be based on someone from the borough of Wigan that YOU think is a hero - a sportsperson, musician, scientist, someone from the past or present, or someone in your community you think deserves recognition. When you have finished your drawing, send us a photo of it to the details below.

Format

Colourful drawing of your icon - from head down to feet

Please include the name / title of Icon and why they are your hero, your name and your age, plus your Wigan Borough postcode and contact details of a parent/guardian.

Please send a photo of your drawing with the subject WIGAN BOROUGH ICONS 26 to: wiganboroughicons@gmail.com

OR post a paper copy to The Turnpike Gallery, Civic Square, Leigh, WN7 1EB

This is the 4th year of this competition. We already have Ella Toone, Crusty the Pie, Andy Farrell, Keely Hodgkinson, George Hughes and Susan the lollipop lady, a dinner lady, a librarian and Richard Ashcroft - so please choose different icons to draw.

Deadline - midday on 29th September 2026