Photo-a-Day  (Monday, 22nd April, 2024)

Good to see it's still being used for wedding receptions.Where we held ours in 1956

Looks a great place for a wedding reception.
I think somebody has spied you in the bushes Colin.

Just a short stroll down Wigan Road from the centre of Standish, the gardens of Ashfield House and the Park itself are always well maintained.

I have never seen Ashfield House before....it looks very nice. Many years ago my daughter worked in "The Ethnic Emporium" in Hallgate , (if anyone remembers it), and the staff had their Christmas meal there one year. Ashley had no-one to go with so took her Dad with her, and poor old Mum missed out!

I worked there when it was Standish Council. I was a shorthand typist in the. clerk’ s department. There was also the Surveyor’s department, public health and finance. Downstairs was the dentist and were women would take their babies. (Barrie would remember all that). We were very lucky to work there in that beautiful house.

Looks like a pricey venue. Church and traditional do in the Dog and Trumpet seems to be sadly going out of fashion. Stick with me doll money is no object.

I can't see any bushes in front of Colin, or anywhere else. Not many people like to be spied on.
After saying that, a beautiful building and grounds. I think the place would need a gardener.
Good photo well taken.

Appley bridge village hall is very nice for Weddings and reception.
You should photograph that place Colin and Dennis when your on your rounds.

Its a attractive looking house & interesting to know the history of it, thanks Colin

A bit of light hearted banter Ivy green nothing more! Not everything is serious.

There were some brilliant apple and pear trees just a stone's throw from where you were standing Colin, and they always got a yearly visit. Behind you, the front lawns. These were always like billiard tables and perfect for our weekly FA Cup finals. One eye on the game, the other looking for the little blue Mini Van and ' Parkie ' who would jump out and chase us off. If he did that these days, he'd come back to find his van had been nicked !!

I came upon this fascinating bit of information regarding John Lancaster which I hope you will find of interest:
Lancaster was the son of John Lancaster of Prestwich, Lancashire. He was engaged in the coal and iron trades and was chairman of the Lancashire Union Railway. He was a JP for Lancashire and a Fellow of the Geological Society.
In 1865 Lancaster stood unsuccessfully for Parliament at Wigan. At the 1868 general election he was elected Member of Parliament for Wigan. He held the seat until 1874.
Lancaster died at the age of 67. The Graphic of Saturday, 26 April 1884 recorded
"Mr. John LANCASTER, formerly M.P., for Wigan, who rose from humble
beginnings to the ownership of the great mines of Nantyglo Blaina,
Monmouthshire. The captain and several of the crew of the 'Alabama',
after its engagement with the 'Kearsarge', off Cherbourg, in 1864, were
rescued by Mr. LANCASTER, who, to save them, exposed his yacht to
the fire of the Federal war-steamer."
This refers to the Battle of Cherbourg in the American Civil War in which the Union sloop USS Kearsarge sank the Confederate raider CSS Alabama. In the aftermath, Lancaster, having observed the battle on his personal steam yacht Deerhound, managed to rescue Captain Raphael Semmes, his officers, and a handful of crewmen; his status as a civilian and a member of Parliament enabled him to spirit the defeated Confederates to safety before they could be captured. The survivors were able to return home, with Semmes quickly returning to active service in the Confederate navy.
In 1841 Lancaster married Euphemia Gibson, daughter of D. Gibson of Renfrewshire.

You wouldn't see any bushes if you direct the camera in front of the bushes or edge rows.
Lovely looking building.

It used to be the school dentist.
What a shame your Ashley had nobody to take to the Christmas do

Veronica, what me in the bushes!
With that scene in mind I would have looked like David Bellamy parting the bushes and peeping out onto some rare species.
I remember it in the 1990's as a restaurant and taking a party of colleagues from the UK, US and Canada for a meal, everyone loved it. Now I think it's only available for Weddings and such which is a pity.

Exactly Alan.. how observant of you. ;-)

I have seen a picture somewhere of John Lancaster’s yacht Deerhound.
I think he was sailing from Cowes to Egypt at the time of this American Civil War encounter.
It would make great film on Netflix. Hope Mr Netflix reads WW.

WN6 the beautiful lawns you refer to are the ones where my friends and I learned to ride our two wheeler bikes, if we came off it was a soft landing, if we’d been caught we would have got a telling off.

Nathaniel Eckersley,born in Hindley in 1779,died in 1837 at Laurel House,Hindley.

Nathaniel Eckersley,born in Hindley 1779,died 1837 at Laurel House,Hindley.

Many thanks to all for today’s comments and additional information.
I was in two minds which of two photos I took was the best to submit for consideration. The side of Ashfield House is equally attractive with a large terrace with steps leading down to an expansive lawn. I imagine they might have a Marquee on there in the summer for some functions with lights strung through trees.

Is it private property ?

Yoo shouldn't gatecrash a wedding, even if it is just to take a photograph.