Wigan Album

I am sure this cottage is on Almond Brook Road opposit what once was the old St Marie's catholic primary school that me and my sisters attended. It looks quite familiar. Cheers

Yes, it is on Almond Brook Road.

The cats were placed there to tell Catholics, during the time of persecution, that Mass was about to be offered in secret.

Nothing at all to do with Roundheads.

Correct Michael. A passage? tunnel? road? I doubt it.

No there was never a tunnel, to the best of my knowledge, but the passage way was still there (1960's) at the left of the building, of course there is nbo way it survived untouched all the way from Standish to Whalley. You could still check if there is a pathway just west of the cottage.

The story of the cats being placed in the window when a priest was in residence seems to ring a bell. The primary school was run by nuns, Sr Angelus and Sr Virgilius where the two that I remember. It saddens me a little that the old school had to be demolished due to subsidence from the pits. It was all so long ago!! Cheers

There still is a public footpath at the side of the Cat I'Th' Window farm that leads onto Robin Hill Lane then onto to Robin Hill Drive and Pepper Lane, so could well have been part of a pilgrims route at one time and would tie in with the cats in the window to let passing pilgrims know when a mass was being held.

the pathway to the left of the cottage leads to baldwins farm (if it is still baldwins )

I remember Sister Virgilius, who was cold and strict, and also Sister Joseph, who was a much warmer person.

You remember Sr Virgilius Michael! I don't remember Sr Joseph still like I said it was a long time ago. I actually lived in Pepper Lane and walked every day to St Marie's. It was such a long walk for us little uns. The house I used to live in is now called Graham House and my Dad built it with the help of his brothers. The house number is 181 Pepper Lane. I have been back to see it on google maps and it is looking very swank. Cheers

steviegoko1958, would that be Robin Hill Farm East, Bob Ball had Robin Hill Farm West, he and his wife Betty emigrated to Australia to be with their daughter and his son moved into the farm, don't know if he is still there.

The text below was copied and pasted from off the Standish Conservation Area Appraisal, it is of interest because it does mention that pilgrims did pass through on their way to the Abbey's of Furness and Whalley.

Strategic Standish. Porteus mentions that the ten townships of the ancient parish lay chiefly on the eastern and western
loops of the Great North Road (from London to Carlisle), beginning at Boar’s Head and ending at Coppull. Porteus considered that this curious name derived from the Latin Hic bibe ,‘drink here’, probably a monastic derivation relating to a spring fit for drinking, located on the pilgrim route to the great Abbey at Furness. Boar’s Head inn dates from the mid 15thC.The Inn was possibly built by the Standish family - their ‘owl and rat’ crest is built into its front wall - as a hostel for pilgrims since it stood at the parting of the routes north to Furness and east for Whalley
and Fountains.

Lizzie would you remember the iron bar gate just passed Baldwins a popular meeting spot when i were at school.

Alan I remember an iron bar gate, would that have been Baldwins farm? I remember doing flips over an iron bar gate across from my sisters friends house. My sisters friend was Pat Leigh, and we used to get chased out of the farmer's field when we flattened the crop he was growing into rooms oof a house. Naughty kids we were but it was fun. It is all so long ago but some things really ring a big bell like the iron bar gate. Cheers Alan.

Liz,we drove past the house this afternoon..it's now named 'BBrookhouse',and very nice it looked too.

Thanks so much Margaret, bless you too!! You beat Mick to it though he said he will take a photo. Now I know for sure and I can let my sisters know, cheers!!! xx

Sorry Maureen for calling you Margaret, must have been a really bad senior moment!!! Hugh thanks again x

Hello, My mother told me it was called cat a wall school and her grandma either went there or lived there. Sorry i can't remember which. My mum was Gladys Radcliffe who used to live in Appley Bridge.

It has nothing to do with Royalty or roundheads. During the reformation Catholics had to worship in secret. The three cats were reputed to be a signal, either that a mass was being celebrated or that soldiers were in the area. As for a tunnel, its 30 miles from Wigan to Whalley, no way was a tunnel built that far.