Wigan Album
Collingwood Street, Standish
4 Comments
Photo: Rev David Long
Item #: 29807
I was surprised to find two unusual plates on two rows of four terraced houses on Collingwood Street. This was the second, on numbers 29-35. I presume the initials stand for 'Loyal Orange Institution of England', 'Pride of Standish'.
Anyone know anything more about this enterprising Orange Lodge's housing programme?
For Heigh Ho, the Lily O!, The Royal, Loyal Lily, O!
Beneath the sky, What flower can vie, With Erin’s Orange Lily O!
The lowland field may roses yield, gay heaths the Highland hilly, O!
But high or low, no flower can show, like Erin’s Orange Lily, O!
Then come, brave boys, and share her joys, and toast the health of Willy, O!
Who bravely wore, on Boyne’s red shore, the Royal Orange Lily, O!
I am astonished. I grew up in this street and was totally unaware of these stones.
Crumtons' book says the street is a mix of brewery and orange houses but adds no more.
All I can find on Google is reference to a prominent member owning a brickworks and winning building contracts in the north of England. All sounds a bit masonic.
Rev David
May l refer you to..
Faith , fraternity and fighting , by DM Macraild from which much might be revealed.
Poet - happy to add to your education! Can you add to mine by sending me the ref. to the builder you found?