Photo-a-Day (Friday, 8th August, 2025)
Stone Mounting Ramp
Stone Mounting Blocks or Ramps were a common feature up until the end of the 1700's at Inns, Country Houses, Churches etc. when roads were no more than dirt tracks, usually in very poor condition even for carriages and therefore these were an obligatory feature at a journeys end for a Gentleman to mount or dismount his horse with dignity.
Very few examples, if any, such as this ramped design remain in the UK so to have this still in a back alley off Church Gates and once used by the gentry and nobility attending services at All Saints Parish Church is rare and I think of historic importance.
Perhaps not too fanciful to think that Bonny Prince Charlie 'The Young Pretender' might have mounted his horse from this when he stayed close by in Hallgate with his Scottish troops on 1745.
Photo: Colin Traynor (iPhone)
I walk past there nearly every day and never even noticed it. All very interesting, thank you for the information.
I've also used this Mounting Ramp on a few occasions after my knee replacement surgery.
Sometimes, when I was out for a bike ride, I would take a break in the parish church gardens. To get back on the bike, I would push my bike over the ramp to help me get back onto the saddle.
I have seen that many times and hadn't realised what it was. When you let yourself think how old it is, it is difficult to take in! There is a mounting block on the cut bank in Abram for horse riders to mount their horses.....it's only been there a few years but serves the same purpose, but the age of the one in the photo is mind- boggling.
I’m surprised the ramp was left considering all else of antiquity has been ‘ felled’. When you think about it ,it’s neither use nor ornament today. I’ll go and inspect it as I’m off to the Optician’s this morning, but it will probably look distorted looking closely with my eyes. Mind you it was a good idea at the time but only for the well to do. I might even have a sit down on it in honour of the Bonny Prince.
That is an interesting find Colin. I bet not many people have any idea what it's purpose was, me included.
Thanks for bringing this useful information to my attention Colin,
now I know where to dismount my penny farthing in a gentlemanly fashion.
On the wall to the right in red, which I purposely left off is an emergency phone point.
Not quite sure of the exact wording but it’s along the lines of ‘If you get stabbed, ring this number’.
Talk about a sign of the times and a lack of police presence in the town centre.
How interesting,I very often take this short cut after my son has dropped me off to go to town,I’m having a good look next time,thank you Colin,a brilliant piece of history that’s been under our noses.
Colin, you should have left the emergency phone, because that's what will help the victims of violence.
Wigan also has a knife bin at the entrance to the bus station.
I sent in a photo of the bin on 18 July, but it has not appeared yet, maybe it never will because it might be judged too much to take in for some of the PAD viewers.
Maureen and all, if admin post my other submissions there is (in my humble opinion) more Wigan history to come in the future.
Mick, I know what you mean about your photo, some subjects can be controversial and although topical, too sensitive in this day and age.
Ah well, back to my fish and chips in The Picture House, Bury then Silver Hake and a clutch of Black Pudding’s from Bury Market then on the free bus home to what has become Kurdistandish via Bolton and Chorley!
No Mick, a pic of a bin is not to much to take in these days but whats hard to take in is that violent beings are allowed to walk the streets
What a indictment on today’s society, successive governments over the last fifty years being too soft on crime, schools lacking in discipline and the teaching of manners and welfare system dolling out money to drug users, scroungers and losers.
I can’t see any end to this as the last three are in the majority and only vote for more of the same.
One day this will be a major factor in a book ‘The Decline and Fall of Western Society’.
I went around here today it sickens me how rough it is around there. I noticed iron gates so no low life can get around the other side. Wigan is not the place it was sadly. I grieve for the future that is going to come I really do. It can only get worse ….Bolton is even worse !
Good point WN6, anybody who doesn’t or who has not contributed in Tax or NI should not be entitled to a vote. Politicians pander to these at the expense of what politicians call Working People. Time to put a stop to it.
You are right Colin, some subjects can be a bit controversial, but you could have said that about the Pad of the defibrillator a few weeks ago. Wiganers now know where to go if their heart is attacking them, and now, because of you mentioning it, in today's photo, if they see someone who's been stabbed, they also know where to locate the stab box.
I wonder if owd Tom came out of that rear door when he was working at Lowes.