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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



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Wigan Album

Standish

4 Comments

Cat i' th' Window Cottage
Cat i' th' Window Cottage
Photo: Keith Douglas
Views: 3,711
Item #: 21924
This is the original cottage in Robin Hill Lane before destruction by fire in 1901. The silhouette black cats in the blank windows are said by tradition to be successors of plaster cats used in the days of Catholic persecution to advertise that a catholic mass was to be held at nearby Standish Hall.

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Comment by: Rev David Long on 13th November 2012 at 21:32

So the cottage on Almond Brook Road is some kind of fake? Or were there two such cottages?

Comment by: Lizzie down under on 13th November 2012 at 21:54

Rev David... May be the cottage was rebuilt on Almond Brook road for the very reason it was there. Cheers!!!

Comment by: Keith Douglas on 14th November 2012 at 17:25

An alternative explanation for the black cats is as a warning to Catholics that government troops were in the area.

Comment by: Cyril on 20th May 2025 at 13:41

Keith, the old farm lane and footpath that at one time ran from Almond Brook Road to Pepper Lane along with off shoots to the Robin Hill farms, and was at one time blocked off to vehicles by one of the farmers, could it at the time of the photo all have been called Robin Hill Lane?
With the bungalow there now being built more a less where this cottage once stood on the lane, but now having the address of Almond Brook Road.
Just a thought, but if anyone knows anything further, please do comment with your knowledge of the area.

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