Wigan Album

Allan, would I be stood on Billinge Rd looking at the Gate House? Cant work out that wall, and roughly what year would this be? Is that your family in the photo or the Squires?

Hi again, just been passed on the school run I know where the wall is now, just looks different today! It was very interesting to read about the Gate House etc. in the Parish magazine.Just been reading about the history of Highfield I find all these old photos amazing.

photo is taken from pem road, at the lights on pem road - holmes house avenue junction, there is a large bungalow on the right, just behind there is two massive lions head statues, and a large gate with steps that led to a large garden terrace. (garden terrace is long gone)
got loads of old photos of winstanley - highfield, will try and upload some.

That would be fantastic Paul if you could. My friends and I started walking all around Highfield/Winstanley once we had dropped kids off at school. Ive lived in Highfield all my life and recently got interested in the history of it. My dads given me some great books and dont tell anyone but we actually snuck upto Winny Hall! The farmer didnt catch us or the dogs! Its such a shame to see it dilapidated.

you should be ok walking around now, it's not as if you could do anymore damage than dobcrest homes have done to it!! lol
it is very sad, i can remember when the house was still lived in the early 1980's.
i also had the pleasure of being given a tour of the house in 1991 by derek winstanley, who was caretaker of the hall at the time.
it's an absolute disgrace what had happened to the hall.

also, two great books are: Founded on Coal - Author: Derek Winstanley
and A Complete History of Winstanley - Author: Alan Mitchell

Alan lives in the old white cottages near Jack's Shop on Pemberton Road.

Yes got founded on coal, history of St Matthews and Blundells collieries all very interesting. Where those white cottages the ones that were built for the workers on the farms? Where would I get the history of Winstanley from? Library? Do you know if anyone still lives in the lodge next to the Hall? We crept round the back {main entrance} when we went so missed the courtyard etc.Us, grown women!! Ha ha we must have looked a sight!

i think the present caretaker / gamekeeper lives in the lodge, there is usually a dog tied outside.
you could try the library at wigan or the history shop on the bottom right corner of library street.
the cottages where built for the colliers,there was another row next to them, which where demolished in the 50's. If you look at the end cottage on the row,next to the methodist church there is a garage attached, this used to be a stable for the cart horses in the 17 and 1800's.
The present owner, Tim Bankes lives on the estate, just off Springpool.

Hi Paul, thanks for all that. You must be a Highfielder or Winstanley as you know all this about the area! If you have any other info/stories you would like to share I would be most grateful!

hi,
have lived in winstanley all of my life, and picked up various stories along the way!
i will get alan mitchells address, am sure he would let you have a copy of his book on CD ROM, it's 300 and odd pages long, and very interesting!

I am going to try and get to the history shop one day,I need to find out about the Bankses from 1929 until 1984 when Tim Bankes sold the Hall. I will also pop into the library to have a look at that book. Did you manage to upload any old photos of Winstanley? A friend of my dads has got one or two also.

not had chance to scan them yet, got some old photos of baxters pit when it was a fully functional mine, owned by the bankes family.

I would be gratefull of any photos Paul, found some more books at my dads but mostly Wigan town centre. Going to put another post on requesting any photos. Still not made the History shop, school holidays~young daughter!

If you are interested in Winstanley I am only too happy to send you a cd copy of my research on the area

lived at 101 pemberton road. until 1967. mum left there in 1983. would like to have the cd rom on the area from alan mitchell. if possible, and any other info. re the old winstanley, happy days around there as a child and young girl.

just moved to highfield area, I am interested in any photos of the industrial estate off ribbesford rd if possible

As a kid in the 50ss 60s I used to play in the woods around winstanley hall used to get in over or through the long wall and jump over the stream. also use to walk across a pipe that was next to the bridge. I live in Australiia now what has happen to the place?
also used to go to highfield school our cross country runs went thrrough yhe hall grounds then back down the long wall.
Ah memories flooding back
steve

Hi does anyone know which house Tim Bankes lives in?

I think James lives in either Fouracre's Farm at Pony Dick or what used to be the old garden/nursery house on the south side of the old moat to the north of Winstanley Hall.