The Old Packet House, New Springs/Sunset

Torrential rain overnight and early this morning, and then what seemed to be a bit of a lull. On with the trainers for a short outing over to Haigh Hall and back. Of course within five minutes of leaving the house the rain was as heavy as before. Might as well just get on with it then! Struggling for a blip, this was taken standing under a bridge on the canal out of the downpour.

The building is the old Packet House, now a private residence it was once the offices of the Alexandra Pit, part of the Wigan Coal and Iron Company Ltd. The name originates from the fact that this was where the miners would have collected their pay packets.

It was also put to a more sombre use in December 1875, in the days when Aspull and its surrounding area was one of the most industrial and profitable areas of the country. On Friday 11th December seven young men were killed when the cage taking them down the pit shaft that night collided with the ascending cage. Their average age was 23. Their bodies were recovered and taken to the Packet House where they were laid out for their families to identify them. The following Monday an inquest was held in the building before adjourning to await the Government Inspectors report.

On a brighter note - sending all good wishes for 2012 - may you enjoy the very best of health and happiness throughout the year :))

Update

Well having scratched around in the rain for a blip I looked out of the window at 4.30 and saw this - can you believe it? Got camera and snapped from the back door hahaha.... :)