Wigan Album

Great to see this Josie. My granddad was the furnace keeper on the blast furnace next to the canal.

A great historical photograph, Josie, of one of the industries that put "Great", in Great Britain.
Josie. Would you be kind enough to give my best wishes to Ernie Phillips. Many years ago we lived opposite to each other, in Lower Ince.

I will be glad to albert,earnie lives 2 mins away from me x

I'm guessing that this photo was taken in the late 1920's or early 1930's.Anybody know? Great evocative image!

Josie, I have spoken to my friend Neil Cain today and he commented on how your love of Ince and your happy childhood memories of growing up there shine through on your every observation on photos of Ince, as do your Gerry's. I grew up there too, and Neil's grandad owned Cain's cake-shop before it became Ashurst's; Ince may not be Shangri-La to the rest of the world, but how much that little place means to the people who lived there.

aww Irene what a lovely comment and so true ,there is nowhere like ince for me, I mean I don't want to offend anyone but ince is not the same now there isn't the same community and it so saddens me ,I cant get my head round folk today ????? , I have a wonderfull poem I got from a history paper all about ince you may have seen it ? I will try to put it on here,i placed a copy of it in my uncle gerrald's hand in his coffin coz I knew that he was the same as me , he loved his ince !!! xxx

there was a bit of a stir on here once about where the furness inn was spelt it wrong I know but where was it anyone xxx ?

the furnace inn was at the top of belle green lane on the path that leads to the canal.the cellars were uncoverd when building work was carried out in the back gardens of branthwaite.

wes, where I lived at top of lane is where branthwait and that estate is now, I seem to remember a pub near the canal rd I don't mean the prince or the one further up called the belle view , but this question was once on here before and lots said it was somewhere near carless lane off ince bar but if you read the news clipping it says it was further down from the iron works ,also there were many shops on that little area where we lived, four were outdoor licences and had cellars !I have been up there many times but cant actually get too where our house stood as you would have to go down peoples paths and go round back I can only get so far.

wes, it says on the cutting that that the pub was over the canal bridge that sounds right to me, im'e sure there was a pub where you said and I remember the name but couldn't place it and if you think about it the FURNACE inn ,furnace top place !!!!

Josie,the pub called the belle vue is still there although not a pub now,it was made into two houses.they're right at the top of belle green lane facing you as you come up the hill.the furnace pub was at the back of number 6 branthwaite on what was kirkless lane

Wonderful piece of history. Filled some blanks in for me. My paternal Grandfather and Grandmother kept the Furnace Inn from before WW1 until sometime in the late 20's. My Dad was born there in 1914 and Grandma looked after the pub and new baby while Grandad was in France during the war.

Sorry I cannot help Phil but these days that area is now a quite a green and pleasant land and home to a profusion of rare orchids.