Wigan Album

The only Straw Yard I know was up Pemberton Road, at the bottom of Well Brow, where the Big Stone is on the right. The Straw yard was up by Pear Tree Cottage and Cropper's House. The Straw Yard was the workshops for Winstanley estate. Could these be the cottages in the photo? I don't remeber what they looked like.

Thanks Dere, I've been looking on Billinge History Society's web site and found this which though macabre does mention straw yard, unfortunately it doesn't say where it was located: A few strange things happened at Winstanley Hall. Mrs Shortrede, wife of the estate agent Thomas Shortrede, was found drowned in a well in Winstanley Park on 10th August 1880. Shortly afterwards the estate’s mason’s wife hanged herself at the straw yard and quite soon after this, Thomas Shortrede shot himself. What went on? No one seemed to know or, more likely, no one was saying. http://sthelens-connect.net/sitefiles/billinge-history.pdf

This pic is at the end of the Strawyard.... If you go up Springpool of Pemberton Road, right at the end is an house and I think, the stone slab wall was still there or part of it anyway....

I lived in Cropper house as a little girl, 1945-1961 with Gran and Grandad Lydon, my dad was Peter Trickett. Mr Brown and Miss Kay lived in Pear tree cottage, we never saw them. We played in what was the straw yard

This is pear tree cottage and although extensive alterations have been made is still in Springpool, or Big stone or Straw yard. I live in what was the old work shop (saw mill / mortar mill which my father converted into living accommodation. As a young lad I played in the gardens of Cropper house before it was demolished. It was Fred Kay and Miss Brown who lived at pear tree cottage. It was a restraunt but not advertised as such, Brian Epstine and his friends used to frequent it.

Hellober George Fairhurst,
I remember you, my sister Mary and I used to play with you. I lived in Cropper house and remember that Miss Brown and Mr Kay had a restaurant, everything was hush hush. I live in boston Massachusetts u.s.a and would love to email you
Helen
Trickett

Hello Helen Trickett
I have tried to email you but guess you didn't receive it.
George Fairhurst

Does anybody know the reason behind the big stone here?

Trying to find information or a photograph of Croppers House, Winstanley. My great Aunt Amanda Jones worked there in 1911 as a domestic servant for the owner Edmund Davies. Any information at all would be greatly appreciated.