Photo-a-Day  (Saturday, 16th January, 2021)

I have rode past this monument many times and it was interesting to find out about its history, There is a older photo on WW were it once stood on a larger square base.

Some years ago all that flat land would have been covered by the Irish sea, I remember being on my spud picking holidays finding seashells in the sandy soil.

Good grief! It’s the return of the “The Thumb” Veronica!

If it had a fire and smoke coming out of a chimney it could be a chimaner.

Mick, you're in Lancashire, you'll have Hanson on your case. A spot i know well, i was there the other day myself just sat in the car admiring the view. This is the Parbold Bottle Stump originally erected on a larger plinth re the 1832 Reform Act. To see the original go to WW, Places, first page, photo 3.

"Parbold Bottle So called because of its shape, Parbold Bottle is a monument to the Great Reform Act of 1832, which extended the right to vote. Just why the limited extension of the franchise warranted a monument in Parbold is not clear." Apparently it was part of a bigger structure a one time and was repaired in the 1950's. I believe there was a pottery at one time near to the Bottle.
Interesting photo, it made me look up the information.

It's definitely got Mick's thumbprint on it Dtease ....

I think Alan's been having lessons from Mick !

WW, Places, Parbold, of course !!!!

I'm sorry to say I've never been to Parbold Bottle despite living in Wigan all my life. We tend to take for granted the things that are on our own doorstep, don't we? Wasn't it used as a beacon of some kind with a fire that could be seen from miles around? When I see something like this I always imagine what it has seen over the years....fashions like crinolines, then twenties' "flappers" and sixties' mini-skirts; children going there with picnics and then, in time, taking their own children and grandchildren there whilst the "bottle" watches over it all, never changing, A nice photo, Mick.

Irene I never take things for granted that are on our own doorsteps. if I see something that I didnt know about already I go out to find more information on it.
Give you husband a nudge and tell him the rain as stopped so lets go out and have a look at the Parbold Bottle

I'll do that Mick!

Rest your seat upon this bench and let your mind doth wander.
Upon this bench your mind won’t wrench the arm of twisted thoughts .Observe the view that will renew the soul to flowing water ,
Then you will be , so calm to see , the clouds go rolling by ..

Mick - the sea shells were more likely to be from the heaps of Liverpool manure which were brought out on barges on the canal to be used as fertiliser. Where I did my spud picking we were always coming across bits of broken pottery from the same middens.

Ha thanks Veronica I'd just thought I'd give mick a taste of is own medication.
See Dave Oy pad the Coot.

Lancashire you'll have Hanson crying Mick.
History show before 1974, Wigan WAS part of Lancashire and not Grater Manchester.

Yes Rev, a few years ago they dug away all the grass next to the Ring a Bells pub and they uncovered a cobbled area were the would have unloaded the muck.
Theres a information board at Burscough wharf telling you about the mucky story

I knew you were Alan! Good for you ...

Going even further back still...I believe the Vikings landed on those very flat plains, so we were informed in the Wigan History Group that I used to attend quite a number of years ago.

Rest your seat upon this bench and let your mind doth wander.
Upon this bench your mind won’t wrench the arm of twisted thoughts .Observe the view that will renew the soul to flowing water ,
Then you will be , so calm to see , the clouds go rolling by ..

Veronica, my friends Neil and Tom attended the Wigan History Group. I believe you know Tom, (Walsh). A true gentleman, as is Neil. I didn't realise you had belonged to the group, Dolly dear. xxx

Parbold was part of Wigan before the 1974 Council reorganisation, and We were part of Lancashire.
Infact, some of my letters still say Lancashire on my address, which I prefer than Gtr Manchester.

Yes Irene, it was held on Tuesdays
Nights twice a month. It was before the grandkids came on the scene though. They've changed venue since. It was at a pub in Beech Hill. I enjoyed going, but I don't drive anymore. Yes I know Tom from Scholes days.