Pinzgauer
  • Pinzgauer
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie Topic Starter
12 years ago
I'm contemplating a surface mooch around the above area sometime next month. In particular to sniff around the area of the scene of the Pretoria Pit Disaster (1910). I understand that Hulton Park has recently been purchased by the Peel Group ("Ting" goes the spittoon!).

Is there anyone "local" who knows the area I could pm/liase with before trogging across the park?

Thanks in anticipation.
Who threw the overalls in Mrs Murphy''s Chowder ??
Coggy
  • Coggy
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie
12 years ago
I worked in Horwich in the early 2000s and strolled around the site of the Pretoria pit in Westhoughton, theres nothing there now, all covered by light industrial units.
if eight out of ten cats all prefer Whiskas
Do the other two prefer Lesley Judd ?
Pinzgauer
  • Pinzgauer
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie Topic Starter
12 years ago
Pm sent..........
Who threw the overalls in Mrs Murphy''s Chowder ??
Morrisey
12 years ago
There's a guy that on here that goes by the name of 'coalboard' who is extremely knowledgeable regarding the area, i will give him a poke.
Pinzgauer
  • Pinzgauer
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie Topic Starter
12 years ago
Thanks. Much appreciated.
Who threw the overalls in Mrs Murphy''s Chowder ??
Coalboard
12 years ago
Hi,
Morrisey put me in touch, I wrote the recent book on the Pretoria Disaster ( Amberley Publishing ), its on Amazon, Ebay etc.
I do a guided walk now and again round the site, also an illustrated talk. If enough are interested I can do one, it would be a Saturday morning job. There would be a small charge per person to cover my petrol being out of work. Email me at [email protected] so I don't have to to keep logging on to Aditnow which doesn't seem to want to remember my logo on details,
Coalboard
Coalboard
12 years ago
Also the site is in woodland, no industrial units or owt. Kingfisher is seen now and again on the old lodge
Pinzgauer
  • Pinzgauer
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie Topic Starter
12 years ago
Thanks Alan. Email sent......
Who threw the overalls in Mrs Murphy''s Chowder ??
Aditaddict
12 years ago
I wouldn't mind a nosey , live not far away know just about where it is but never seem to have the time for a mooch
so saturdays might be good !
Roy Morton
12 years ago
I was an apprentice at Horwich loco 69 to 72, and lots of the older guys still talked about Pretoria like it was yesterday. A lot of pit families from that area pushed their sons into other industries as a result.
That whole area is very interesting; Horwich, Bolton, Westhoughton, Wigan Aspull, etc etc........
Must go back and have a look sometime.
"You Chinese think of everything!"
"But I''m not Chinese!"
"Then you must have forgotten something!"
ICLOK
  • ICLOK
  • 50.2% (Neutral)
  • Newbie
12 years ago
As now working in Preston again, I have been going to a few Wigan and Manchester sites on way home of a night now its lighter. Did Hulton 3 & 4 today as only just off Motorway and I must say its well worth a go :thumbup: . (Pics to follow).
Met an old lad with his dog on the tips and he told me there are plenty of families in the area to whom the disaster is "very much in their dna". 😞
In general there is tons of stuff to see in Wigan area inc two superb furnace Chimneys and places like Aspull.

EDIT having looked at Map and various books I am confused as they are known as Bank pits tho the IRS calls them the Park Pits No 3 & 4 :blink:
Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh Creeper!!!!!

Disclaimer: Mine exploring can be quite dangerous, but then again it can be alright, it all depends on the weather. Please read the proper disclaimer.
© 2005 to 2023 AditNow.co.uk

Dedicated to the memory of Freda Lowe, who believed this was worth saving...