Photo-a-Day  (Wednesday, 27th November, 2013)

Beautiful building being overgrown by nature. Played cricket against Winstanley quite a few times.

Anne ,thank you for posting this photogragh ,it shows dramaticly how we neglect our buildings ,future generations will wonder why we allowed such vandalism, committed by omission. Sooner or later it will be reported that Winstanley Hall is in an unstable condition ,and can't be saved !.

How sad it makes me to see this historic building deteriorate so badly. Does anyone actually own it now?

Good Photo, this was, in it's day, a magnificent structure. I read a story, may be on wigantoday, that Winstanley Hall was being sold. Is that true.

Wonderful Anne....can feel the history just looking at the picture.....cheers!!!!

What a great shame to let this building get to this state.

Its to late to save this building now, best thing to do would be to knock it all down and use the old stone to build a new modern house.

Ventured inside but no more than a few yards, water dripping everywhere. Didn't dare go upstairs for fear of rotten floors.

Isn't this the building that has been in ongoing discussions between certain parties ? I understood that something was going to be done. Seems like its a case of ' get your finger out' before its to late. Shameful state of affairs.

As far as I am aware, Winstanley Hall is now owned by the same company that owns Dorbcrest Homes. What they intend to do with it I have no idea.

Great photo Anne of a wonderful building. Something I have wanted to photograph for many years but have no idea how to get to it! Fancy doing a joint shoot?

More info on the building here:
http://www.savewigan.co.uk/atrisk.php?id=5

Oh well...that sorts that Hugh. Wait till it gets beyond any renovation, knock it down & build 'EXCUTIVE STYLE HOMES' on the site. Is this what happens to listed buildings today ?

If you Leave things long enough they cease to be a burden!

Andrew you are welcome to join me, I don't really like mooching round there on my own. Rough going though.

Andrew please don't do a joint shoot, Anne's photo is what you see is what you get, with no tricks. All this colour tampering and superimposed on a computer is bluff for me. Anne's is a really good genuine shot...it's real.

Go straight up Billinge Road, Andrew, past the station on the left, past the Church , Vicarage and Parish Hall, all also on the left.Then Venture Pub (spelling? !)
on the right. Go straight on till you come to a slight dip in Road, on left you will see a terraced row of houses and just near there on the right you will see the entrance to Winstanley Hall

Andrew that road/path now has an electronic gate, a big one.

When did you go up there Anne? A friend and I crept up there around April time, we were lucky the groundsman didn't get us!! We got in from the 'police dog house' near cricket ground. I remember spending many a summer in those grounds

Thanks A.W.

Spelling spot on, Tricia. The Venture pub and Restaurant, Billinge road, WN3 6BL.

I would rather not say as I got permission from farm on condition I did not spread the word. Sorry.

Thanks for posting the pic Anne. Sorry, Andrew for the wrong info!
Have not walked about round there since my childhood.
It makes me sad to see it now though, in that state.

Thanks , Garry. When we were kids everyone called that the Venter ! It was a big pond thing behind a wooden fence. I think it was to do with the Venture pit. Where is Fred Foster when you need him ? lol

Thanks for the offer Anne, I would love to join you. I'm trying to find out how to leave my email on here (there used to be an option for showing an email icon with a posting but can't seem to find it).
Gary, not sure what you mean mate - can you post a Iink or two to your own shots that illustrate 'real' photos?

The venture lodge was the reserve water for May Mill's steam engine. When we were children you could see the wheel valve under some boards. There was always a big green frog near it. The Venture pit was about 40 yards away from the lodge behind the row of houses known as Highfield View. It was known as the "New Venture" and was ruined by an inrush of water from some old workings.

Andrew I think if you contact Brian or whoever they would do it for you.

Andrew will do in the summer months, thanks.

When we were little, we used to play in Winky Woods and we used to call it the Long Wall. It will be criminal if this building is not preserved. Squire Bankes will be turning in his grave.

Thanks Anne, will give that a try.