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Photos of Wigan
Photos of Wigan



Wigan Album

Scholes

3 Comments

Scholes in 1848
Scholes in 1848
Photo: JohnAlan
Views: 2,788
Item #: 21173
There wasn't much development at that time. St Catharine's Church was built in 1841 and the school around the same time. When the church was built it seems the foundations were not substantial enough and as the area was adjacent to the Sand Hole this resulted in the leaning steeple and it has been like that for many, many years and is a prominent landmark in Wigan. Now with the aid of grant money the steeple and spire have been taken down stone by stone and the foundations are being underpinned before rebulding later this year.

Comment by: Keith on 5th August 2012 at 15:12

Fascinating map - thanks for posting. Looks like there was a well at or close to where I lived in the 1950's, at the bottom of Birkett Bank. I remember being told about a gravel/sand quarry, nice to see it marked. When the old Crispin was pulled down I was told there were hardly any foundations, seems as if the church wasn't alone and I believe the plaque of St Catharine's School carried the date 1832, it was already 16 years old when this map was produced. There was also a Birkett pit close to the Forge but it isn't marked.

Comment by: John B on 6th August 2012 at 15:51

Interesting picture John. I was born in School St, Scholes.

Comment by: JohnAlan on 7th August 2012 at 10:03

I knew the area well but much later of course. Brought up in Golborne St and Scholefield Lane I went to school at St Cats and still go to St Catharine's Church. With mates I played all around the area, sand hole, clarry, over the fields (1, 2 and 3) Plants. Great days they were too. Didn't need to worry about staying out until dusk then. Everyone looked after each other.

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