Photo-a-Day  (Sunday, 25th February, 2024)

Hopefully these places won’t end up like the Dover Lock Inn as Holts where the place to go before Wetherspoons for cheaper beers although Holts Bitter was an aquired taste Colin.

The interior of this very popular pub is still very traditional with a lovely Victorian tiled floor in the entrance lobby. The room to the right has the main bar and the room to the left is bed comfortable with a large wooden fire place and many traditional features.
Hope you can visit soon as I believe it is schedule a major refurbishment.

I remember when there was a door on the corner of the building
(main entrance). Looking at the entrances it would have had 4 doors! How many doors are needed - was it so popular that clients had to get out quick at closing time!?….;~)

Although I have never been in The Silverwell, I believe it is one of the few "good old-fashioned pubs" left in and around Wigan. It reminds me of the pub my parents used to go in.....The Anderton Arms, (Long-Neck), in Ince.... when I was growing up, where there was a "singing-room" with a piano and a "vault" where the men used to congregate. The Silverwell certainly looks an attractive and well-maintained pub; I love its warm, red-brick exterior and chimneys, and I hope it continues to be popular and successful with its regular customers. Lovely photo, Colin.

It's just a pub....but in years to come, it will stand a place in Wigan's history when the pub closes and gets demolished.
Hopefully for the regulars, that's years away.

This pub should do very well in terms of customers. Not many pubs near it, since the Black Bull closed. But you never know in this day and age.

A very good and clear photo, Colin. I've never been in there for a pint, and I've also never seen it closed. Hope it survives in this very uncertain pub world.

Why is those old disused coal-fire chimneys so tall?
You see many chimneys on old buildings so high.

Sandra, probably for the same reason factory chimneys are so high, to send the smoke further away.

I had not long woken up when I posted my first comment due to Wigans great win last night keeping me up. Therefore when I said bed comfortable it must have been a Freudian Slip, I meant very comfortable!

Been to many a family do in the Well. Also played darts, dominoes and pool when Ernie Roughly was the landlord.

It’s always been a popular pub. The last time I went in it was for the refreshments after a funeral only a few years ago. But I also recall going in there on my 16th birthday and drinking a shandy in the dinner hour. We felt very daring then. I don’t think we even looked 16.

Colin it crosses my mind about meeting up in such a pub as The Silverwell maybe twice a year,the reason I’ve made comments early is not been able to sleep with a terrible pain down my left leg but only when in bed been given some Zapain but not good,did a forty mile ride yesterday and another forty + this morning and seems better than medication.

I must have been past this pub thousands of times but never been in.I have always wondered where the name came from,always presumed it was something to do with a well.Anyone know?

John, sounds a lovely idea I am very much up for meeting in such a pub, would be good if anyone else from our merry band could put their names forward. We could even organise a small buffet.
Most of us like yourself experience the aches and pains which are indicative of a certain age. I think we could all make our way there and then get a taxi home, or in Veronica's case to the station.
I have taken some lovely pictures of the interior should anyone want them?
After my long walk up Scholes and getting lost around what used to be Hardybutts, I had to call in for a 'light refreshment', for medicinal purposes only you understand, a large Chardonnay works wonders!

I must have been past this pub thousands of times but never been in.I have always wondered where the name came from,always presumed it was something to do with a well.Anyone know?

I can understand factory chimneys being very tall because the amount of smoke from the tons of coal the steam engines used to fire the boilers to drive the machinery.

But this pub has got extremely high chimney towers, much more than all the house near by.
Anyone know the real reason.

Hi Sandra...the real reason pub chimneys were build so high is to draw drafts from the fireplace, this made sure when customers opened and close the door, smoke wouldn't escape from the fireplace.
People from a certain age will remember that coal fire smoke always escape from the fire when for example kids would open and shut the door quickly at home.
I hope this answers you question, Sandra, the higher the chimneys are, the bigger the draw drafts up the fireplace is, this is because pub doors are constantly open and closed. Frank.

That sounds right and more accurate, Frank.
When you think about it, it's very logical. Thank you.

FH has got the chimney explanation spot on.
If you've ever seen Fred Dibnah demolishing factory chimneys, he makes a fire that weakens the timber holding up the brick work. Once the fire gets hold its like an inferno because of the draw drafts. Cleaver.

May I add a little story, please, that has nothing to do with the photo, (you're all used to me by now; P-A-D never fails to bring back a memory, somehow.... please .just scroll past if you don't want to read it!) The mention of pub doors constantly opening and shutting just triggered such a memory. Peter took me to Ireland for my 50th birthday, (over 21 years ago now....oh dear, getting old!), and we went to Athenry. We sat in a pub where there was a coal fire and yes, it DID affect the smoke from the fire when the door opened and closed but what sticks in my memory most is that every time the door opened and someone came in they said "God Bless All Here" as they entered.....I have never forgotten that in twenty years. (Sorry for butting in with that but I just wanted to share it and I know Colin won't mind). Thankyou!

My last house I lived in for 30 years had chimneys so high. It was built in 1912 it was a real family house not a small terrace. I never knew that was the reason for the chimneys being so highly built. In fact I ended up with a chimney pot from the top of my next door neighbour’s given to me when she had the chimneys taken off. I brought it with me when I moved and it’s in my garden with Spring bulbs in it. I would never have taken the chimney down though. Even with Central Heating. They can be elaborately built some of these chimneys.

I remember Irish people coming in houses saying that Irene. It’s so typical of them.They did used to have such quaint sayings.

Frank, thanks for Frank and true explanation which I am pleased to fully agree with ‘Shut That Door’ as my mother used to shout.
Irene, love your reminiscences our minds tend to wonder when we see a picture, other people’s comments or a piece of music. Takes you right back.
Veronica, we have a Victorian chimney pot in our garden, ours has got lavender in. It’s still looking healthy so might have good showing this year.

Cleaver?? Should be Clever.
(Which I'm not)

Irene I worked with Bill Healey from Atherton on the concrete and instead of saying I will see you later it was always God Bless with Bill,I always had plenty time for Bill and Vera his wife but they have sadly passed.

Clever and not cleaver Garry.

Colin, the Wigan match was wonderful. My husband, who's in poor health, really wanted to watch the match; this meant that he had to go to bed for the afternoon so that he was able to stay awake to watch the match at 8. Wigan weaving its magic - again!
Lovely photograph, reminds me of the Springfield. Thank you Colin.

Pat McC, recorded it just in case I fell asleep but it was breathing, I am really impotent the BBC’s coverage.
Thanks all, let’s see what tomorrow brings.

You been drinking Colin hahaha.

Colin, just blame it on the do …… spellcheck.

Cut back on the cider Colin.