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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Westwood

9 Comments

Westwood Cottages 1
Westwood Cottages 1
Photo: Allan Greenwood
Views: 4,068
Item #: 8807
These cottages were always known to me as the 'Kay's houses, or maybe it was 'Kayes Houses'
I bet they were exceedingly happy when they built the power station and put that 'concentration' type fence in front of their front doors. What a delightful view.

Are these cottages still standing, or were they demolished along with the power station?
It would be nice if their old view was restored to them wouldn't it.

Comment by: Rev David Long on 18th January 2009 at 17:45

'Kay's Houses', after their builder and owner. Also known as Little Westwood. They've gone - but many people who lived there are still living nearby in Lower Ince. There are pictures under Lower Ince taken shortly before their demolition. This was another area which saw a disproportionate number of casualties in WW1 for such a small area. Cracking pictures - a similar series taken in 1974 can be seen on the Flickr site.

Comment by: Paul Stebbing on 19th January 2009 at 19:18

Many thanks for posting these Allan. It's always nice to see more photos of Kay's Houses. My ancestors lived there in the 19th century. They were demolished in the 80s.

Comment by: Rev David Long on 20th January 2009 at 08:13

Here's the url for Fray Bentos' series of Ince pics: http://www.flickr.com/photos/fray_bentos/tags/inceinmakerfield/

Comment by: Margaret Burns on 12th February 2009 at 00:27

Hiya Allen and Paul Im doing a local history project on these cottages and would be grateful if you could email with any information about them or the family who lived there. Ive got lists of residences from the 181,1881,1891,1901 and 1911 census and would love to chat with you. mmburns.tutor@yahoo.co.uk

Comment by: Chris Dickinson on 23rd July 2013 at 18:41

This is the house I was born in. It was number 37 and the year was 1980. My family lived there for a few years before I was born and we were there until the end. We lived in lower ince with many other kays house tenants. It was nice to see the pics as I live in south florida. Does anyone know what year these pictures were taken? Would be great to find out if thats my parents washing.

Comment by: sharon walsh on 25th August 2014 at 13:33

hya chris... how are you xx hope u still remember me? im sure you will,i was your Alicia's best friend for many years.. and I spent so many happy days over fields and under devils tunnel visiting your family almost daily.. I have great fond memerious of your mum , nan living over there too. xit was an ace time of my early days.. im still in lower ince.. and see your angela sometimes... takecare and happy days .xxx

Comment by: Phil on 20th July 2021 at 17:56

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt14565314/
The UKTV 'Yesterday' channel 2021 TV series 'Railway Murders' - Ep. 3 'The Police Killer' mentions 'Kay's Houses' and the late Victorian living conditions.

BTW I'm not a local. Although it is a bit sensationalist, it seems a fairly balanced and interesting documentary.

Comment by: Jinksi. on 28th August 2021 at 16:23

Chris used to take Papers there late 50's early 60's .Do you remember Terry Halliwel from there.Went to Spring View. School with him.He is on some Class photos I put on Schools.

Comment by: Elaine Green on 21st August 2022 at 00:34

My Grandma Green who was my Dad's Mum lived at number 7 Little Westwood, she brought up 9 children in that little house which was literally 2 up 2 down and I have said to my Dad ‘but where did everybody sleep’. He had nothing but happy memories of his childhood in Westwood, Grandma would tell them during the war to go and snare some rabbits to supplement their rations! I have happy memories of going for Sunday tea when she would a big spread on.

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