Wigan Album
Worsley Mesnes Ironworks
13 CommentsPhoto: Keith Beckett
Item #: 29601
Such powerful giants of engineering skill. Why did such engineering works go into decline. When did it close, forties/fifties?. I cannot remember it. Is the engine at Trechefield Mill still open to public display. Wonderful to see in operation.
I visited Worsley Mesnes Worka in the seventies they had moved on into fabrication Work then' I was very impressed by a VERY large lathe still there, which had been specially made to machine Pithead winding wheels
A.B. Where was this engineering works situated in Worsley Mesnes. What is the significance of MESNES, in relation to Wigan. e.g. Mesnes Park?.
Albert I vaguely recall going past Poolstock Church towards marus bridge and going under s railway bridge and the works being on the right adjacent or near to the bridge
AB: If you go into Old Gallery>Industry, you'll see a photo that includes three stacked winding wheels, and one in position (top-left) ready for machining. Hope this may be of further interest to you.
Albert, the word "Mesnes" is a shortened version of the word Desmesne and is of French origin. It refers to land retained by the lord of a manor, in this case, the manor of Worsley Hall, now a housing estate. Mesnes Park, Mesnes Road and Mesnes Street were named after land retained by the Rector of Wigan. Mesnes Park in Newton-le-Willows follows the same pattern.
That isn't a photo taken at Worsley Mesnes Ironworks. It is a photo of the drum of a pit winding engine somewhere. The inscription is just stating where the drum was manufactured. The pit could have been anywhere in the country because Worsley Mesnes was well respected all over Britain for the quality of it's work.
Albert, it is derived from the French word, Demesne, land attached to a manor.
Albert: As far as searching old maps goes, I haven't been able to find the name of the street that led to the Ironwork's entrance, but after considering the top-end of Richmond Street, shown on a modern map, I surmise that this was the location of the Ironworks. After all, it's been fifty years since I strode its cobbles. Regards.
Thank you all for your detailed explanations, and thank you John. D. for explaining in detail the name Mesnes.
Mellings was accessed from Richmond Street that was accessed from the service road to Worsley Mesnes pit. The pit road is now Worsley Mesnes Drive.
Back to back with Richmond Street was Carlton Avenue. Ernie Woodcock had a garage down there for his lorries.
worsley mesnes iron works [mellings foundry] was off poolstock lane opposite mottram drive I think a care home stands on or near the site today:worsley mesnes colliery was also in this area
as this photo is in colour it suggests it might be a preserved example. There is an 1873 WMI engine preserved at Bestwood Colliery which I believe is in Nottinghamshire. As a member of the Wigan based Red Rose Live Steam Group, we rescued a WMI engine from Cornwall only to have it tragically nicked. Those were the days when we couldn't find a permanent home. The RRLSG are now the Red Rose Steam Society based at the Astley Green Colliery Museum.