Photo-a-Day  (Wednesday, 23rd December, 2020)

Dennis, 'Stanley Nook Farm' given its proper name, owned by George Marsden along with his wife Phillis, sons George jnr and Eric. Many fond memories of the early 1960s when as a young teenager I would help out each Saturday afternoon collecting and sorting eggs. Sunday mornings helping on one of their two milk rounds with George. The experience earned was invaluable plus a small amount of pocket money to be earned, so many fond memories. Thanks Dennis, great photo.

I can remember Marsdens farm in the 60s and70s having a milk round my grandmas and grandad used to have milk deliverd to them on St Marys Road in Aspull, does anyone else remember?

Dennis, I should have said ....
once owned by George Marsden, Julie, I remember the milk rounds as I helped out on one of them. Do you remember the glass bottles with the name Marsden and Balfour printed in red ?

I remember the path you are talking about Dennis. If it was a nice day, Miss Twist used to take us what she called a nature walk along the path, to collect leaves and then draw them.
Walt I remember Eric from Aspull school.

What a lovely house and what lovely memories, Julie and Walt,

Yes Walt I do remember it saying marsden and balfour on the bottles

Kath, sadly Eric passed away about three years ago now, to the best of my knowledge the farm changed hands circa 1980. This was one of 4 farms belonging to the Marsden families sometime ago.

Kath H's lovely memories of collecting leaves put me in mind of when my children were at school and I, along with other Mums, used to help out one morning or afternoon a week. I remember going with a group of children to Abram Park to collect leaves and when we got back to school some of the little lads, (as little lads will), started throwing the leaves about, and the teacher shouted, "Please stop messing with those leaves, boys....they don't grow on trees, you know!". We all cracked off laughing and the teacher looked completely puzzled until she realised what she'd said! I know Dennis won't mind me adding that little tale to his lovely photo....we all need a smile at the moment.

Walt how sad Eric passed away I used to go to the farm on the odd occasion when I was staying at my grandmas for extra milk when she ran out. You know walt you never forget those good times, I only wish that it was those good years again.

Watch out watch out there could be a thief about. Plenty of security cameras on this building.

Dennis, thanks for the info about"round the wings" I will be doing that walk in springtime, wife not so good on her feet so probably be on my own.
Good picture and nice friendly comments from everyone. It's nice to be nice.

Kath H I remember Miss Twist the art teacher, do you also remember Mr Grundy who taught history he was a lovely teacher and also Mr Wilkinson who taught science they all were lovely teachers.

I only knew Stanley Nook Farm from the 1980s and it was a stud and stabling then, I can't remember their surname but Brian and his wife along with son and daughter had it then, he bred and showed horses up and down the country.

Lovely photo Dennis - very seasonal, with a donkey in the side building.
Is this on the back road from Wrightington to Eccleston?

No Pat, it’s in Aspull at the junction of Stanley Road and Ratcliffe Road. The road to the right is Stanley Road and I’m stood on Ratcliffe Road.

I remember Mr Wilkinson Julie, he was the one who started me off in a lifelong interest in photography.
Just before the school holiday to Staithes in Yorkshire about 1960/61, he asked my class if anyone was interested in borrowing a camera to use on the trip. Well, no one stuck their hand up so I did and I have been taking photos on and off ever since.
I should thank him for introducing me to something that has given me much pleasure over the years.
I wonder how many other kids picked up a hobby or interest at school that as stayed with with them long after leaving?

Walt and Julie
So sorry to hear about Eric. I’d completely forgotten about Marsden and Balfour. I remember to other Marsden’s farm over Springs bridge, David Marsden was in my class at school. David was clever but he hated school, just wanted to be on the farm.
Julie I do remember very well those teachers, along with Mrs Parkinson and Miss Gardener. I remember once Mr Grundy bringing some Olives into the class and we all had to take one to try on the way out of the lesson. Of course kids in Aspull had never heard of Olives never mind eaten one. I remember we all thought they were vile, now I love them.
Happy Christmas to all on PAD

Thanks for that Dennis.

"Style" LOL

Kath H, sorry to have to tell you David is no longer with us, one of the disturbing things about getting to our age. Have a great Chrismas everyone and Dennis, just a thought, if photographs of houses attract burglar's perhaps you could include a few cop shops, save the police a lot of work now wouldn't it ?.

You are so right Walt. It really hits you when you find out that someone in your class at school has passed away. Lesson is to enjoy every day.

Sorry to hear that David Marsden is no longer with us Walt. We used to sit on the same desk at school.
I put a photo of David and another lad, John Bell on the album (item #19931), taken when we were on holiday with the school on the Isle of Man in 1961.

https://www.wiganworld.co.uk/album/showalbum.php?offset=20&opt=2&gallery=Aspull+Secondary+School
Link to photo of David Marsden.

I have just read about David Marsden and I'm truly really sorry, David was a really nice lad, one of the best

Talking about Stanley Nook farm, when I was a kid I went to the farm for years, I went with farm hand Ken Miller on his milk round with the horse and float for a very long time so I no what you mean about the print on the milk bottle, then it was home for lunch, then back doing job's on the farm, I used to love hay making because I was allowed to drive tractors collecting the bales,each farm used to help each other at hay making time.
After milking time in the evening Eric and I used to bottle the milk ready for the following morning.
Occasionally George snr would take me to the auction at Haslingden when he was buying cattle that's when I wasn't at school, he would take us both for something to eat, for some reason Eric wasn't keen on Auctions. So yea I loved going to the farm. I would have gone for nothing but he did give me some good pocket money.