Wigan Album

Where on woodhouse lane was this taken? I don't recognize the house on the end.

i remember Burneys handbag factory a few girls i went to school with went working there.

The photograph was taken in the front garden of 306A Woodhouse Lane. The sign for Burney's is at the entrance to the factory, which is on the opposite side of the road to the entrance to the dog track, Lilly Whalley's chip shop and Dempsey's grocers. (I think the house you refer to is part of the factory)

This was the original Burneys factory i think it burned down and was rebuilt at the back of the Keepers inn.
Which is now a private house.

Aah. Makes sense now! - I thought it was down near the Keepers pub. So this is where the petrol station is now. I'm almost certain that old house on the end was to do with Douglas Bank Colliery; i've seen a photo in the Reverend Whickham book of all the miners queueing for their wages there. Btw - Christine; my Mum knows you; Bet Buckley from the Hospice

Hi, is it Steven? Yes your mum and I spent many happy years volunteering at the Hospice. I was interested to see the photograph of your late dad who she always spoke of with great fondness. Please give her my best wishes.

Yes it is Christine - my Mum says hello!

Steven I think you must be right about the building being associated with the pit. I have just looked in my copy of William Wickham's book, and the photograph of 'Pay Day Crowd' 1891, shows a building looking very similar. Hi to your mum I hope she is well.

I vaguely remember the Walfords. My grandmother lived at 302a.

When I was a child the people living at 302A were Mr. and Mrs. Dawber.

Burneys was at the bottom of Ball St, adjacent to Ell Meadow Lock (locally known as Ball St Lock)

My Auntie worked at Burney's for years - until it closed - Annie Holland. Mr Derek was lovely. Our family always had lovely leather purses.

I worked at burneys for a yr, 72/73