Photo-a-Day  (Friday, 18th October, 2024)

- and my father-in-law’s teeth are at the bottom of the shaft. He sneezed in the cage on the way down, and a half set came out!

We used to go to a pub near there many years ago, It was called The Old Boathouse which was by that canal, (The Bridgewater Canal, I think it is, not the Leeds-Liverpool). And we went to an open day a couple of years ago when my son and another man did a little scene about mining; it was a very enjoyable day. I also have a close-up photo of that pit-head against a brooding sky, that a friend of mine took and framed for my birthday some years ago. A good photo, John.

They are trying to preserve the headgear has it is slowly rusting away. I will have to visit the site later this year to look at all the progress on the site

Our Heritage from a safe distance. Good photo of Astley Green. Well done John. .

Shared below a few words from a knackered miner I had the pleasure to know.

"Never go down any pit.. not even for a look"

Goodnight, God bless.

"B".... The history of Astley Pit, (and ALL the pits and miners everywhere), is very important and it is wonderful that people work so hard to keep our mining heritage alive, but it is the homely little stories that people remember, and the tale of your father-in-law's teeth really made me laugh...thankyou for sharing that!

Some great contributions from the towpath on pad and long may continue.

Unfortunately in July this year an elderly gentleman was mugged for his electric bike, by a nutter wearing a skeleton mask. Poor chap was beaten around the head with a bike chain, pushed in the canal and left there. The police said his bike helmet saved him.

Carry on, but be aware on the towpath John. The incident happened not far from that stretch on the Bridgewater canal.

One of my neighbours Cliff Graham an ex pit fitter spent hours and hours here as a volunteer restoring stuff.

“ How Green Was My Valley” set naturally in Wales is the film I watched when young. It brought it home to me how the miners were taken advantage of in every way possible. It still brings a lump in my throat whenever I watch it again as old as the film is.

Irene we have visited the Boathouse pub for a meal maybe 40 years ago it’s still going with friends from Boothstown also used to have a drink in Rossies just up the road but that’s closed now,cheers TD they just might get a surprise if they attempt to take mine I say might but it’s worrying when approaching young girls who are oblivious to bell ringing due to Headphones I don’t think my granddaughters would be allowed on their own walking for miles on the towpath.

TD going under St Helens Road Leigh was a troubled spot a form with a waste bin overflowing with beer cans and bottles a shirtless guy asked my wife if she could swim she replied after you I couldn’t stop laughing or I would have told him get thi shirt on mon cruelty chaps coming on a more somber note a man with learning difficulties was stabbed and thrown into canal killing him last year me and my mate had past the yobs that Thursday evening,another spot under Atherleigh Way bridge is rife with drug users there sleeping bags and rubbish that needs addressing immediately so your right to warn people of the dangers TD.

Veronica,I remember watching it ..how many years ago would that have been? I also remember crying for the entire night after..I have never forgotten it.

You can see it on ytube Maureen. It’s a classic. I watch a lot of 40’s films.

I agree with those few words from that knackered miner who T.D. had the pleasure to know.

Ps Maureen the book is a good read as well. Richard Llewelyn. You might be able to get it at the library.

My grandfather was a collier - a real gentleman. The worked underground in the South Wales mines. We lived on the coast and when my grandparents came to visit, I never understood or appreciated the fact that he enjoyed the beach and seaside so much. I wish I had been old enough to realise the difference between our lives by the seaside and his dark and dusty world underground, riddled by risk and danger. We owe so much to these brave colliers who lived their lives in the twilight underground, facing danger on a daily basis,only to face a retirement of ill health.

How green was my valley then Veronica?
I went to the National Mining Museum yesterday.
It’s at the Caphouse Colliery near Wakefield.
They take you 140 metres underground and tell you about the conditions that miners had to live with.
They tell you about the five and six year old children who had to sit in the pitch, black darkness for hours just opening and shutting the doors that were essential for ventilating the mine.
It’s a real eye opener for anyone who as never been down a mine.
Many people in Wigan have family and relations who worked down the mines and, if you want to see what they had to put up with you should go and visit the museum.
It may shock you!!!

John (W) so sorry to be responding so late and I haven’t had time to read through all the comments which I am sure are appreciative. Just got back from a ‘tiring’ but enjoyable few days away in Bury but loved your photo and the dark reflection on the water that really set it off.

Cheers Colin hopefully you bought some black puddings and spicy pork steaks on the market we are due to go as we haven’t been for months ,DTease that sounds very interesting at the Mining Museum near Wakefield if I remember rightly the last time I visited Wakefield I was delivering a couple of ton of dripping to the provisions department at Wakefield Jail 55+ year back.

The valleys were green before the mines claimed them Dtease.
It’s a good film to watch.

My Grt Grandfather was from South Wales he came to Wigan to work in the pits and married an Irish girl. I believe he liked visiting Robin Hood’s Bay. Perhaps it reminded him of the valleys in Wales with the steep cobbled streets. Above all to breathe in the blessed fresh air.