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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Ashton

16 Comments

Wigan Road, Ashton in Makerfield
Wigan Road, Ashton in Makerfield
Photo: Arthur Pilkington
Views: 5,242
Item #: 21735
I stand to be corrected on the location of this photograph. I think that is Wigan Road, Ashton. The photo is from an album which my aunt kept from the early 1900s onwards and as usual, it is untitled. The man looks extraordinarily like King Edward VII who was a regular visitor to Lord Gerard at Garswood. The photo is probably from the early 1900s.

Comment by: Karin on 26th October 2012 at 23:28

Location looks like it might be going over the railway bridge heading from Ashton to Bryn Cross ?
However the attic windows on the houses on the left are not there now if that is the correct location

Comment by: brian brown on 27th October 2012 at 09:31

I dont think it's wigan road,the houses haven't changed all that much and in the background I can see a church tower

Comment by: Kenee on 27th October 2012 at 19:50

I can't see anything to identify the location as Bryn. The only suggestion I can make is Warrington Road near the entrance to New Hall, where the Bay Horse is now. If it is, those houses have long gone, the tower/steeple in the background could be the old church of St Thomas.

Comment by: Ged on 27th October 2012 at 20:48

Looks like Warrington Rd leaving Ashton,

Comment by: carol on 30th October 2012 at 09:36

The second carriage looks like a horse drawn hearse, but that doesn't seem to fit in with the rest of the context of the picture.

Comment by: Strabismus on 31st October 2012 at 12:40

This is Warrington Rd.,Ashton. The building with the dormer windows is the Bay Horse, before the bay windows were added and the roof angle raised as a consequence of removing the dormers. In the extreme left distance is St.Thomas Church tower with steeple (building completed 1893). To the left of it is a chimney which is confusing as it is in the wrong position to be the Record Mill (Cromptons). I first thought that there were tram lines on the road. Now I am not sure whether this is the case or whether it is just the method of road construction. Either way there is no overhead so it is prior to the running of trams which commenced in 1903. This,together with the lack of Poplar trees lining the graveyard wall,which I believe were planted 1900-10 would suggest that the photo is of the the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII)arriving at New Hall(Lord Gerards.) when he stayed there in March 1898. He would have been turning right immediately after the photograph was taken. I have photographed today from the same angle and feel sure that this is the correct location. I wonder does anyone know when the bay windows were built onto the front facade of the Bay Horse? The procession certainly doesn't look very regal. More like the arrival of a travelling circus!

Comment by: Kenee on 31st October 2012 at 16:21

Blinkin' Eck!

Comment by: Sheryl B on 31st October 2012 at 18:23

What a great photo! I wonder if the King rode all the way from London in this chariot! If not, I wonder did he stay at the local Hyatt during his visit? Do the wheels look like they are about to cave in on the following carriage? Gets your imagination going... where are the adoring crowds befitting royalty? :)

Comment by: brian bown on 31st October 2012 at 18:39

I imagine he would have travelled by train

Comment by: Allan H on 1st November 2012 at 21:39

This is definitely not Warrington Road Ashton, the Bayhorse Inn never had dormers on it, I have an old photo of it in front of me here, also the chimney stacks are different as the Bayhorse and adjoining houses all had tree or four chimney pots on each stack, the tower in the background is not St. Thomas church the tower on St. Thomas’ church is not very tall and the ‘steeple’ is more of a pointy roof, have a look at Ashton in the album the church is on the first page and the last point is you wouldn’t see the church from that angle as the trees in Garswood Park overhung the road blocking the line of sight to the church. To be honest I cant think of anywhere in Ashton this could be

Comment by: AP on 9th January 2013 at 01:05

Alan H:
Please will you consider posting your old photo of Bay Horse/Warrington Road on here? I would like to see it, and feel sure others would also.

Comment by: AP on 20th January 2013 at 10:09

Thank You for so doing.

Comment by: Dougie on 9th March 2013 at 16:01

I've just flipped this photo over and looking at that way I would say it is 100% Warrinton Road, the photo was taken from the Bay Horse on the right looking up to Ashton and it is the church at the top on the right, try flipping it over and have a look

Comment by: Kenee on 19th March 2013 at 19:41

Flippin' Eck !!!

Comment by: ian gregson on 21st May 2013 at 20:32

this is Lord Gerard's funeral procession 1910

Comment by: David on 23rd September 2013 at 01:18

Lord Gerards coffin was taken to St Oswalds church on a gun carriedge with his horse tied behind with his boots reversed over the saddle the coffin was covered with the Union flag and Lord Gerards sword, busby and medals were laid on the coffin lid along with a wreath from King Edward V11 it was followed by the main company of the Lancashire Hussars with reversed arms marching in slow funeral style. The band of the Regiment played the Dead March from Saul followed by Chopin's Marche Funebre

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