Wigan Album

I love this photo. It says so much about the old industrial Wigan. It would make an excellent subject for a painting and it also brings to mind George Orwell's writings from his famous book.

My grandma used to live in one of the houses that back on to the canal. I was born there and also my mum.

Excellent pic John

My uncle Lawrence Lowe lived in the first house has you look at the picture other relations also lived here,Hickey's,Dillons,
John,is Annie Bretherton a relation of yours?she also lived here.

Where abouts was it? Trying to work out by looking at the chimney.
Which side of Chapel lane was it on?

Isn't that Trencherfield Mill in the background to the right? Great photo.

Lowes,Hickeys and Dillons are all related to me and Annie Bretherton was my dads sister.His name was Harold.

Just looked up this area on an old map, to pinpoint it on todays Google maps, it ran parallel to the present Bridge Street on the industrial estate from a junction with Chapel Lane running along the canal towards Wigan Pier, I think you can just make out the boat repair yard that is still in use.

John is there a date to this photo? 1910, 1930, 1950
Great photo

Driving Lane is marked on the map which was re-surveyed in 1892 and the map was then re-issued in 1894

I knew Harold Bretherton when he lived in Greenwood avenue
Worsely Hall.

To answer Ron's question, it is looking west from Chapel Lane, and the tall chimney is at Trencherfield Mill. Eckersley's is the mill in the centre, and Western Mills (with the big tower) is to the left. Only one of the chimneys visible (Eckersley's) is still standing. It is the one that is smoking, and it was shortened to little more than a stump in 2005. Trencherfield chimney was demolished in the early 1970s, but otherwise the mill remains virtually intact.

Are we on the main Leeds and Liverpool canal, or the branch that leads to Leigh and beyond? Never been stuck like this at locating a position!

Tony, This photo is looking from Chapel Lane towards Wallgate. The mill in the background is Eckersleys which has now been converted to apartments.

Correction the mill that has been converted to apartments is Trencherfield Mill (have just seen photo a day) the top of this can just be seen over the houses

The mill in the centre being Swan Meadow Mill, owned by James Eckersley. Western Mill and the other two were built by Nathaniel Ffarington Eckersley. They both amalgamated in 1900 to form Eckersley's Ltd.

Amazing photo by the way, do we have a date for this picture?

Two of my classmates cae from here,one was called Eric Lamb,
the other was Harry Bretherton,He may possibly be your father

My father Christopher Finch was born 11a Driving lane in 1902. parents Robert and Jane.

Harry Bretherton was my uncle.

thanks john for putting this photo of where i used to live, it has brought back lovely and wonderful memories, especially one when your dad dunked me in the canal lol, love from auntie annie (Bretherton)

John,I`m sorry that you use the word was when refering to Harry.We were friends at All Saint`s school

Does anyone remember the 'Charnock' Families of Driving Lane
No's 19/21/23/28? All lived here late 1890's early 1900's.

what a great photo,i was born there just of driving lane.CROSS ST,in 1941,so many happy days,so many goods friends.and very good memories,i can still name all the familys living in driving lane,this photo must been have take around 1948,thanks for sharing your photo John..

with regards to the charnock family in driving lane that was my father william and uncle billy and grand father

Wonderful photo. My great great grandma lived at 3a in 1871 when she was 2 (Ambler)

Harold I have been doing my family tree and my grandma (Molly) said to contact you! Could you help me please?

Pemberton and forshawnos also lived there,number 29and 34 respectively. I am curious to know more about driving lane

Trencherfield mill was built 1907 according to the stonework plaque, the scaffold around it on the picture shows it being finished or repaired, my best guess is 1907

My mum was born in driving lane Betty Dillon 1942 with Mum Alice (Lowe) & Dad Tommy Dillon
Sisters Winnie & Mary & brother john. & also nans brother Jimmy Lowe. His mum died so nan brought him up. Can’t wait to show mum photo. The dillons are related to Brethertons & Hickeys

My mum lived at 27 Driving Lane, Jean Anglesea. Parents Nellie & John Anglesea and a sister Phyllis. She remembers most of the above. She was 86 this year and 4 when they left Driving Lane.

My Great, great, great Grandfather James Paxton (born in 1837) and his wife Mary lived in Driving lane from 1857 until 1861.
My Great grandfather James Paxton, who later became an Alderman in Wigan was born in Driving Lane in 1860.

My dad Emmanuel Lowe lived in Driving Lane with his brother James and sister Betty .

My Dad Emmanuel Lowe’s Sister was Alice Lowe not Betty .