Hi
I live in 9/10 Brocstedes Cottage, which is off Drummers Lane. I am really interested in the history of the Cottages and the immediate surrounding area.
I have spent some time with a Miss Emma Cunliffe who lives on Booth's Brow Road. Her incredible memory has got me thinking about things I have heard in the past about this old house and I was wondering if anyone had any information, anecdotal or otherwise.
Fred (Frederick) Kay lived here once. I believe he may have been instrumental in helping set up Wigan Little Theatre? He was something of a 'Dandy' apparently :)
It may have been due to this Fred character that the following people have stayed here:
The Wright Brother's (I have heard this off 2 reliable people)
Vera Lynn
Alma Cogan
After Fred Kay owned here, Dougie Joynson?? then owned it for a time with his (partner??) Biddy? She was tiny apparently and we still have a small chair that was specifically made for her.
Then apparently Dougie dropped dead outside Holy Trinity Church on Rectory Road, which was near 'Pig Street'
During all of this Hannah Barnes seemed to have lived next door at number 11. I knew her personally growing up.

I would also like any informtion on my Mum- Margaret Halliwell (Nee Cooper) Grandma- Annie Cooper (nee Shaw), My Grandad- Harold Cooper whom I sadly never knew, and also 'Harry Shaw'. I think he was Annie Shaw's Brother.

I do have a couple of photograph's that I will scan in and post when I can get to a scanner.

Bit of rambling post that haha.

Thanks

Stephen Halliwell

Did she show you this photo that I sent her of their farm you can just see the window of the room she had, did she tell you anything about the cottage that was across the road from the farm

Hi Stephen.
Sorry i can't tell you anymore that your Mum can tell you.
Say Hi.to your Mum for me.I rang her last week and no answer,I will ring her this week.
Marjorie.

Stephen, I ( Janet) was a childhood friend of your Mums, I lived directly across the road from Harry Shaws 'Pen'... He had a garage with a lovely car, back in the day when not many people had cars. that I don't remember him ever driving... I used to love going into the sheds and can still smell the lovely smell of fresh fruit and veggies he used to sell.... Your Mum and I used to go play in one of the sheds down at the bottom of the pen, next to the brook and in the winter there was always a coke fire in the stove, so it was toasty warm... I have very fond memories of those days... I may be wrong, but was there another brother, older than Harry? Not much help to you Stephen, but seeing your post brought back memories... Say Hello to your Mum for me......

Forgot to say Stephen, that I could see Brocstedes Cottage from my bedroom window when I was a girl and it was always my dream to live there.... Never happened though :-)

Hi Stephen,
I'm a friend of both your Mum & Dad, and have some information on the family history. We are slightly related.
I would be happy to share the information I have.
I live at 3 Fernlea Grove.

Eric W.

Dougie I did see the photograph on Miss Cunliffe's wall on my recent visit. Thanks for posting though.
Hi Marjorie, I have told mum.
Thanks Eric I got your phone message. I'll give you a ring in the next couple of days
Ste

I think it is more likely that 'Alcock & Brown stayed here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transatlantic_flight_of_Alcock_and_Brown

The link