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Photo-a-Day Archive
Photo-a-Day Archive

Photo-a-Day  (Tuesday, 14th May, 2024)

The Buck's Head, Abram


The Buck's Head, Abram
The Bucks Head built by John Whitley of Ashton in 1838, pre dates the many coal mines in the area.
The hope was for the patronage of the local gentry, travellers and local neighbourhood.
No doubt it is the same today.

Photo: Colin Traynor  (iPhone)
Views: 2,115

Comment by: Abram Alicee on 14th May 2024 at 04:27

Now this photo takes me back to the last time I was in the Buck, it would have been 1954 when I attended my younger brother christening reception

Comment by: WN6 on 14th May 2024 at 08:00

Driven past it many times over the last 60 years but never been inside, it look a decent pub and well worth a visit. I’ll put it on my to do list.

Comment by: ex wiganer on 14th May 2024 at 09:08

It looks a very nice pub to go in Irene Roberts.

Comment by: Colin Traynor on 14th May 2024 at 10:16

I particularly like that bucks head detail over the window above the main entrance door, not sure if it is in wood or plaster.
Irene, I did think of you when outside, I would have sent yourself and hubby a message saying in Veronica’s words “ get your coats on, Colin’s paying”.
Unfortunately they only opened at 12:00 and I had to get back to Wigan. Maybe next time.

Comment by: T. D. on 14th May 2024 at 11:20

Ah! a pub in Abram, but no drink. Called in once on my travels some while ago in hope of sampling a glass of my favourite refreshment, but the barrell had gone and they were waiting for a delivery. Terrible that was, and I have not been back since.
There is a memorial to the local war dead in the church next door, and another one for a local Victoria Cross winner further down the road. His was one of the famous six VC's before breakfast. Worth looking up, and hope you manage to at least get through the pub door next time Colin. Good photo.

Comment by: Rev David Long on 14th May 2024 at 14:27

TD - my records of the war memorials in St John's Church and Churchyard, plus the nearby commemorations for Cpl. Grimshaw VC may be found here: https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/search?query=Abram&pageSize=15&filters%5Bdistrict%5D%5BWigan%5D=on&filters%5Bsettlement%5D%5BAbram%5D=on&filters%5Bcounty%5D%5BGreater+Manchester%5D=on
Also on that page is the record for a Roll of Honour for miners from Abram Colliery - except it is blank. I have seen a few similar memorials, where a blank is printed and the names are written or printed in later. This one was presented by the artist (Sir Frank Brangwyn) to Glasgow Museum in 1944, along with other prints of his. The V&A in London also has a copy of it. I would suppose that he would have been commissioned to produce the Roll, either by the mine owners, or the Union - in which case I would expect for there to have been a copy received in Abram on which the names would have been inscribed. So far it doesn't appear to have come to light - unless someone knows better. An image of the Roll appears here: https://www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk/memorial/268125/

Comment by: Pw on 14th May 2024 at 15:49

It’s a fine looking building.

Comment by: Colin Traynor on 14th May 2024 at 15:59

T.D. Thanks, I took a few pictures around Abram including the Church and the UDC office building, if or when they will appear is out of my hands.
I visited the graveyard and paid my respects to the memorial commemorating the disaster 18th August 1908. It is now looking a bit tired and neglected. I hope something can be done about this.
The pit disasters were too numerous to count around our area, none more horrific than the Pretoria, near Westhoughton 21st December 1910 in which 344 men and boys died, can you imagine that just before Christmas!!!!!
The last I recall in my lifetime being the Golborne Colliery in 1979 in which 10 died.
All quite unbelievable, can you imagine such a thing in this day and age, it would cause public outrage and immediate closure of the entire industry.

Comment by: Colin Traynor on 14th May 2024 at 16:01

Rev Long, many thanks for your contribution, much appreciated.

Comment by: T. D. on 14th May 2024 at 22:16

Rev David Long - Thank you for the links to your records, and the information you have provided.

Comment by: T. D. on 14th May 2024 at 23:15

Colin, Looking forward to seeing your other photographs.

Yes the scale of tragic fatalities in the pits, and the human slaughter in the wars is truly shocking. The people and families wbo lived through it, and suffered after as I'm sure you know are not forgotten either.

I would have liked to share stories about some of those people who lived and died as equals in those times. No matter what fame, class, status or religion. Interesting and important to me, but not short enough for here.. comrade.

Comment by: John(Westhoughton) on 15th May 2024 at 17:40

You get around on those buses Colin,when do I get my coat on for these drinks.

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