Photo-a-Day  (Wednesday, 28th February, 2018)

Bark Hill Terrace

Great photo nice well kept houses. I've been away too long, is this New Springs on the way to Aspull

Looks like they have all shared the same can of red paint

I think they have all shared the same double glazing firm.

That's a lovely terrace of well kept houses the residents must consult wirh each other regarding new doors and windows. It's a very effective colour scheme. Nice to see what can be done with old property.

Oh Mickey,when do the negative comments end,are you really so jealous.

Yes Harry,it's Wigan Road,New Springs on way to Aspull.These houses always look well-kept.

smashing pic Harry, does anyone remember in the 1950s when traffic travelling up to Aspull followed a sharp left then right bend at this point, the road kinked around another row of cottages slowing traffic down, vehicles were unable to have a run at Ivy Brow. Those cottages were demolished so that the road could be raised and straightened out.

Yes it is Derek, the bottom of Ivy Brow.

On the 1851 census my 3 times greatgrandad Thomas Hodkinson lived in one these houses but they were called Toppings Row on the census, am I correct in thinking this? If I am wrong can somebody correct me.
He married a lady called Ellen Maudsley who lived at Low House Farm which is just on the other side of the canal still there today

"Pretty" - must agree Harry. There were other terraces, similar to this, on the no 15 bus route through New Springs and Aspull, which took the uniformity line.
They always looked attractive sixty years ago.Just last week I was perusing one of the examples on Google street view - uniformity gone, looked awful.
These look fine.

Neat but not gaudy .

Mick, having looked closely at the pic I think that these houses are probably maintained by one of those housing trust type companies. Everything about them including the hanging baskets are the same. Incidentally, I think the doors are of the 'Composite' type, no painting required. High on the wall centre cottage is a plague probably giving the date of construction, anybody passing -- please have a look and tell us.

I bet they look lovely on a bright sunny day in Summer when they will probably ALL have a hanging-basket outside. I agree with Veronica that the residents have probably agreed to keep to a colour scheme. Well done to them.

It would be a good idea for property that's been empty for years and years to be sold off for £1 as is being done in Liverpool. Many a time you see empty property in the middle of well kept terraces - they could be starter homes for young ones to get on the property ladder.

Yes Irene, I bet they do make a pretty picture on a sunny summers day. This is what Poet was commenting on the other day a terrace like this houses 6 families if the plot was used for detached homes you would probably only get 2 houses, plus garages on it...only 2 families housed....Simples !

Thank you Kathy At least my memory has not totally gone yet.

Thanks all, JJP I will check the plaque when I'm passing tomorrow, watch this space. H.

When I was at WGS in the 1960s a fellow pupil was Paul Entwistle (of Entwistle and Joynt tool company fame). I am pretty sure that his Granddad live in one of those brick houses that you can see just on the right of the photo. He was famous for owning a steam traction engine (like Fred Dibnah) which was often parked on his drive and which he would take out for little jaunts on the road. Anyone else remember this or is my mind wandering again ?

Helen, how very true....it's not Rocket Science, is it? Why is it that the people who have no input can see this so clearly, and yet the people who have the power to put this simple idea into place can't see the wood for the trees?! xx.

'Wisdom cries out in the street yet none regard it'. (Henry IV part 2)
Irene and Helen , it would seem the first Elizabethans had the same complaint as we second Elizabethans.
My best to you.

Sorry I totally disagree! It seems that if there is a problem in Wigan it is always 'others' never me, blame the council or someone else. Wisdom, Poet, begins with Self. JC, always speaks of Social Justice, never of Social Responsibility. It is so easy to blame others. We must ALL look at ourselves first! One famous man said 'Ask not what..' I know the rest, do you? My failings are because of me only, NOT my parents, or my school, or anyone else.. It is not the duty of the Council or Government to 'support' They are there to Govern. This is why we have the blame someone else not me today on every issue.

Can't see anything on this thread Julie that is contrary to what you say so it's not clear what you're disagreeing about.
The residents seem to be helping themselves by keeping the row nice .
Regards.

As promised I checked the plaque this morning, it reads BARK HILL TERRACE 1851. H.

It boils down to choice and the ability to pay surely. There will always be a demand for new property with space or well built terraced. I have lived in both types fortunately and can't complain of either. The row above are presumably privately owned. But subject to certain rules regarding the decor. I can't see any reason Julie about blaming the Council or anybody for that matter with regard to private property.

Harry, on the 1890 map this bit of road is named as Bark Hill, with Bark Hill yard at the rear of the property.
Ken may I ask what year was your Thomas Hodkinson born?

Thanks for that Harry, built around the same time as Haigh Hall I think along with much of the mining activity in the area. As I said previously, there was another row of cottages were traffic had to squeeze through a dog leg before starting the climb up Ivy Brow, this slowed the lorries and buses down to a crawl. Cheers.