Three Sisters

Wigan Civic Trust

Back when that photo was raken, the area was known as "Wigan Alps" rathere than Three Sisters.

First thought that struck me when I saw the photo was if it was as titled, or the spoil heaps from Mains Colliery. In the background, a chimney can just be seen. I can remember the Mains one, but there must have been others in the area.

Thanks for the link Lolly. I'm still trying to work out both where the cameraman was standing, and in which direction the camera was pointing.

Could that chimney in the background be a mill chimney?

I've just been looking at a map from around 1900. At that time, there were several collieries in the area around what is now called Three Sisters. At a guess, and its nothing more than that, the chimney could belong to Bamfurlong Colliery. That means the photo could have been taken from either Bryn Hall or Garswood Hall Collieries.

Or, as you say Lolly, maybe its a mill chimney.

Judging by the shadows and assuming the picture was taken around the middle of the day the aspect would be an easterly direction, so Mains seems plausible although I think it would appear closer. Could it be Golborne or even Astley?

No mention of the rare Orchids found on the site before developement , that needed a police guard until they were moved .

Donkey Oaty wrote:Judging by the shadows and assuming the picture was taken around the middle of the day the aspect would be an easterly direction, so Mains seems plausible although I think it would appear closer.  Could it be Golborne or even Astley?

I think that you are correct in that statement. The camera was probably pointing roughly to the East, so the chimney was one of those mentioned.