Wigan Album

They are actually called Gothic Cottages, Dennis.

They're beautiful..just beautiful.

Maureen are you thinking of painting this one? You could manage this I bet in water soluble oils. I would find this difficult in watercolour. Too much architecture -but beautiful buildings ll the same!

VB..you're not going to believe this but I've already painted it in oils for a friend...I can't believe the coincidence in you asking me that.

Perhaps I recognize a fellow artist! I am more into the landscape with a few cottages ....David Bellamy type paintings are the ones I admire. I love stone cottages and the countryside. I like pastel painting as well. I do like water soluble paints. I belong to an art group and we have artists every 3 weeks visiting and giving demos.

And I have seen the painting, Vb!; there are two, actually, and they are lovely.

Whoops, Dennis!...I can see that "Home Farm Cottages" is actually printed under the photo, and I believe they were called that at one time, but I know the postal address now is Gothic Cottages as I know someone who lives there. My apologies.

Thank you Irene..that's very kind of you.
VB..most of the time I do portraits..and have just given my Son a portrait of his Llahso also..have just finished a Dalmatian for someone on another site who doesn't know yet..but mainly it's people
portraits..as you say its a brilliant hobby..I seem to have been doing it as long as I can remember.

Irene I can see Maureen getting commissions!!!!!she will become inundated with requests. She won't have time to come on this site!

It will not be long before it's like that again.

No VB,I don't think so..I know what I want to paint when I see it, be it scenery,architecture..animals or people..subjects that I just have to do..these cottages I just had to do..plus they were for a friend.

Please shush Garry..if you don't like don't look.

Welldone Maureen to paint the cottages!!!! We are still following the thread by discussing these cottages.

Rarely do I find myself of the same mind as Garry but I think he means it won't be long before the cottages are seen in snow. I too have seen Maureen's paintings and they are wonderful. The scoop photos would be taken when the cows run in front on the way to the fields by the windmill

Maureen , I think Garry just meant it won't be long until it's covered in snow again.

If I'm wrong I apologise wholeheartedly..but I thought it was Garry that didn't like Giovanni talking about painting.

Maureen, I have told you you should have an exhibition.

Garry..are we friends.

I do realise I'm being a tad bit pedantic here, but aren't these cottages in School lane. I was always of the opinion that School lane and Copperas lane met at the junction of New road. Please feel free to correct me if I am mistaken. You do realise don't you, that there is always going to be one awkward s-d?.

Eddie, yes, you are right. The postal address of Gothic Cottages is School Lane, Haigh, but there is no sign to say it is School lane, and I think that post addressed to Gothic Cottages, Copperas Lane , would find its way to the cottages.

On the contrary Maureen, I love the Cottages and indeed Haigh. What I meant is it won't be long before it's covered again in snow. Of course we are friends X.

Nothing beats the sight of a painting or photo of Cottages covered in snow and smoke coming out of the chimney from a roaring coal fire...just brill.
Great set of photos Dennis.

When we were kids, watching TV with not lights on and just the coal fire burning was just great, the room just lit up...and hot water aswell, great.

Garry,had the Black&White Telly ,Blazing Coal Fire but no Hot Water only one Tap in our House Cold Water only like most off Spring View.Only Posh one's in the Council Houses had inside Petty's Bathroom's ( not Tin Bath's ) and Hot Water.Would I swap my Childhood in 50's for what the Kid's have today, NO THANK'S.

Enough of all the chatter about painting these cottages how about the poeple who used to live in them like the wigan warriors legend Dennis Betts who lived there in the 90s

Eddie Dennis Betts lived in Milk House Cottages

Enough of that Wigan Warrior rubbish. lets talk paintings, I'm enjoying this.

I think you will find Dennis Betts lived in Dairy Cottage opposite these cottages. Just been sold.

Good lad Alex.

Don't know how it came about but my late aunt and uncle lived in one of these cottages from the early to mid-seventies and I understood them to be renting it. Stone floors throughout and an orchard behind.

Can you tell us more about what it was like then Derek?What were their names?

Neil, as far as I can recall the cottages were as they are now from the exterior. There was a traditional front room and a separate living room /kitchen downstairs. My uncle and aunt were Joe and Francis Matthews who originally lived in Gordon St., off Darlington St., although immediately prior to moving to these cottages they had lived in a cottage which stood in a field leading down to the canal bank and off the road connecting Haigh Hall with the main road towards Red Rock.

Thanks Derek. I am guessing they once lived down Sennicar Lane, maybe in the line of cottages near the canal.

hi neil and Derek my nan and granddad lived in these cottages frances and joseph Matthews they moved from pendlebury lane and moved into gothic cottages I too have an oil painting of them unfortunately wrapped up and not on show it is in oil it belong to my nan x