Wigan Album

Doing what comes naturally in those adventurous days circa 50's now it would probably be a climbing frame.

I loved climbing trees a brilliant one at the back of the house.

You're quite right Veronica, boys (and Linda massa) just had to climb a tree in those days. My brother had been the first one up, taking full advantage of the existing large nails on the far side of the tree's trunk; I needed further assistance from our Dad. Just a few yards away to the left of the tree is the grassy area from where our grandfather had once removed an 'underground nut', with the simple expedient of scraping with his pen knife. The joys of woodland floor ... phut-phut. Thanks.

Not only that Philip it looks like you're in your 'Sunday best'!!

Sunday best it was, Veronica; embellished with maroon tie.

Phil, You mention that your Grandfather dug a nut from the ground , We as kids used to dig nuts from the ground & i think we called them Ernie nuts, that was at the front of Mulks wood before you got to Lavin,s pit

Ged. Thanks for your response.
I can see our grandfather getting that 'underground' nut, as clear as anything. And so your gang dug-up 'Ernie' nuts eh? I think there's every possibility that we had all been subjected to the same bushtucker: Pignut, or Conopodium majus ('eat your heart out Les Hiddins') to give it its proper name. I don't recall the Mulks Wood that you mention, but I do know of Monks Wood, in the Garswood area; unfortunately, I can't locate either of them on the old maps - ne'er mind, then. The lad on the right of my Walking Day photo is my cousin David, his Dad worked at Lavins pit, Arch Lane, during the 1950s. Regards.

You're right about Monk's Wood Philip. Coming up Arch lane ( formerly Pendlebury lane ) from Tithebarn Hillock in Garswood, passing the solitary house on the left where Harry Heyes used to live, then just past the S bend, Monk's Wood is on the left hand side, 50 yards or so from the road, and just before the road crosses the Wigan to Liverpool railway line. The next property further up on the left is the one where you and your dad spoke to Bill, the old lad pruning his roses. Ulverston's farm ( formerly Harry Eccles' farm ) is opposite, then further up on the right is Montrey House and reservoir, with Lavin's pit being at the top on the left, and what used to be Mulkeen's farm on the right. I can't say that I've ever heard of the ' Ernie ' nuts that Ged mentions, and it may just be coincidental that the aforementioned wood along with the land surrounding it was owned and farmed by Ernie Phythian, who died quite recently, only a matter of weeks before Reg Lavin from the farm in Newton road in Billinge died in fact.

Regards. Ozy.

Ged: Your mention of Mulk's Wood is looking good! Bentlegs, in the site's Communicate section, tells that it's also known as Monk's Wood, while Ozy's mention of Mulkeen's farm (Charity farm), and Ernie Phythian, could also be connected - they probably are.
Furthermore, my older brother came down this morning and he wasted little time in locating Monk's Wood, on an old map; our two beauties are given as Goyt Hey Wood.
You might like to enter 'Mulks Wood' into the site's searchbox, where you'll find a little more on our veritable source of bushtucker. regards.

Ozy: Many thanks for your response.
I've followed the route that you so kindly set out in bite-size chunks for me, on an old map, and enjoyed every moment of the way. I've discovered, since, that entering 'monkswood path' into Google, will provide two splendid images of the area. Take care.

In retrospect Philip, I believe I may have given out some misinformation in my earlier post. The wooded area that I previously described, I now recall is known as Canon's Clough, and not as I erroneously stated, Monk's Wood. The wooded area alongside the boundary wall of Montrey reservoir, we knew as ' The Cover ', and It was always considered to be a no go area to us kids, as it wasn't served by footpaths and was jealousy guarded by the various members of the Lavin dynasty. Monk's Wood I now believe, would more likely have been the area of woodland beyond Lavin's pit, that stretches down towards Carr Mill dam. It was heavily denuded of trees during the opencast mining activities of the mid 50's I recall, just a relatively narrow strip of woodland remaining. Sincere apologies for my previous inaccuracy.

Regards. Ozy.

Ozy: No problem Maestro. Look forward to seeing you again, in the not too-distant future.

I just adore WW. It is so addictive and interesting. The flow of different comments and information.