Wigan Album
H. J. Heinz, Kitt Green
8 Comments
Photo: Susan Kennedy
Item #: 8320
Detailed on the building is the sign for Prescott Lane, along with a poster advertising the Pemberton Great Pleasure Fair.
Taken in the mid 1950s, once the land had been purchased and development of the Kitt Green site had started, according to old ordinance survey maps the farmhouse was called Whalley Hose Farm.
The building was finally demolished in 1957.
It's posh name was Walthew House Farm !!
George Formbys Dad owned this at one time
Geo Formby lived lower down WalthewHouse lane,known as PhhilbinsFarm. It wasnot demolished beforeabout 1962.
I was born at No:2 Bateing Houses and moved to Manor House shortly after. These buildings where on the site that is now H.J.H., My Father was born at Whalley House Farm. The photo is of the farms barn not the farm house. George Formby senior lived at the bottom of Walthew Lane in what was known as the Hall.
this was my great grand dads farm,jim topping snr,
his sons , jim topping (my grand dad, )and ned topping, worked the farm, ned later managed, and worked cuthbert scott farm
my mum (mary perry) was jim toppings daughter
Mary, I was looking at an old photo of Manor House. What an amazing looking building. It looks like all around you was countryside- was it. I lived in Marsh Green. I've saved the photo of Manor House. I just like looking at it- its one of those magical houses that once was and are dying fast. I imagine it must have been so special living there. Did you grow up there as a child? Bet you had an amazing childhood if you did.
Walthew House and Whalley House were two separate farms. Whalley House farm was occupied in 1871 by the Dickinson family with the Ormeshers as live in workers. By 1881 Edward Ormesher and his wife Ellen had taken over the farm. They were still there in 1911 but by then James Topping born 1869 who was my great grand uncle had married Mary, the boss's daughter. They had 3 children, James, Ann and Maria (who later died). Marion (who also died) was born in 1912. Edward, or Ned as I remember him, was born on Christmas Day 1913.
Walthew House Farm was occupied by the Dawson family in 1881. In 1891 and 1901 The King family, headed by Ann, were in occupation.
By 1911 it was owned by James Booth, better known as George Formby senior.
Hello Jim,
By my calculations we are 3rd cousins. I used to visit Ned's farm in the 70's. My dad, Joe, did some contract rearing for Ned. We used to help out occasionally with hay making, in the day before big bales, when each small bale had to be man-handled onto the trailers and then again into the barns.
I am a bit confused though as to where Cuthbert Scotts Farm connects with Whalley House Farm. In fact it was because my Great Grandfather lived there in 1881 that I ended up this website. Do you know if this was also known as Topping's Farm?