statutory emergency fire and rescue service is provided by the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service, from Atherton fire station. Health services in the Wigan borough are provided by the Wigan Borough Clinical Commissioning Group. Hospital services are provided by the Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust who provide an Accident and Emergency service at Wigan's Royal Albert Edward Infirmary and outpatient clinics at Leigh Infirmary. Waste management is coordinated by the Wigan Authority, which is a statutory waste disposal authority in its own right. Atherton's Distribution Network Operator for electricity is Electricity North West Ltd. United Utilities manages Atherton's drinking and wastewater. Culture Atherton Botanical Garden Club, which is today a social club, was formed in 1850 and organised lectures, study groups and rambles on Chat Moss for its members. A public library was opened in 1905 with an Andrew Carnegie grant. Bent Chapel already had a library in the Chowbent School and donated 4,000 books to the new town library. Central Park, a public park, was created in 1912. Other parks were later provided in Lodge Lane, Hindsford and Devonshire Place. The urban district council also acquired the grounds belonging to Howe Bridge Welfare in 1963. In the early and mid-20th century Atherton had three cinemas, the Gem in Bullough Street, the Savoy and the Palace on Market Street. An amateur photographic society was formed in 1938. Formby Hall, demolished in 2018, used to host the Bent 'n' Bongs Beer Festival over the last weekend of every January. Notable residents There were several ministers of note of Chowbent Chapel including James Wood, the "General" (1672–1759), who distinguished himself at the Battle of Preston in 1715. Thomas Walker Horsfield (1792–1837) was a historian and topographer. Joseph Nightingale (1775–1824), born in Chowbent, was a prolific English writer and preacher who subsequently became a Unitarian. Eric Laithwaite (1921–1997) was an engineer, principally known for his development of the linear induction motor and Maglev rail system. Lemn Sissay grew up and lived in Atherton. Chess grandmaster Nigel Short grew up in Atherton and attended St Philip's School. Architect Arthur John Hope (1875–1960), a partner in Bradshaw Gass & Hope was born and lived in Atherton. Edward Ormerod, a mining engineer at Gib Field Colliery, invented the Ormerod detaching hook, an important mining safety device. Andrew Whyment, Coronation Street actor lives in Atherton.Keely Hodgkinson was raised in Atherton near Leigh and Wigan