MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Big Kev]

I know where it is and, other than being a gate, no idea what it's for...

[plaques]

Well that's a start Kev. Very popular spot.

[Gloria]

Is it the entrance to a park once owned by a high ranking family, maybe the Parkers?

[plaques]

Getting nearer. Now in a park that was part of an estate where the owners had to change their name to inherit it. (not the Parkers)

[Gloria]

The Egyptian Gate Marsden Park Nelson, thought I’d seen it but struggled remembering where.

[Stanley]

She's good isn't she......

[plaques]

Spot on... Marsden Park Nelson.

The Egyptian Gate
The Egyptian Gate was once the main entrance to the upper gardens. It is known
locally as ‘The Wishing Gate’ after the local custom of picking a leaf from a tree and
placing it in one of the carved holes before walking through the gate and making a
wish. What will you wish for?
The gate has several unusual carvings around it. One of the most notable is of the
Secretary Bird (pictured) at the top of the arch. This bird of prey is only found in
Africa. Usually, the Secretary Bird hunts on the ground eating snakes and lizards as
its main diet. This bird has become a symbol for strength and success.

Rather an eccentric man . built several unusual features round the estate. If you ever get a couple of hours spare its a lovely place to walk round on a nice day.

[Stanley]

A quickie because I am sure you know what it is, what is it and where?

[Stanley]

No takers?

[chinatyke]

It looks so familiar. I'll guess Oldham. I suppose it could be anywhere in Lancashire.
Do you mean the curved rail object?

[Stanley]

Yes to object and County, no to Oldham. You know what it is China......

[chinatyke]

I'm guessing it is for unloading beams to prevent them from rolling back into the canal. Stockport? It looks so familiar and I don't know why. Perhaps from my uni days in Manchester.

[Stanley]

Sorry no China, you're going to kick yourself.

[Tripps]

No takers?

I know what it isn't, and what you'll say it is! Said nowt to let others get the glory.

Lost my bottle after the Potemkin fiasco.

[Stanley]

Go on David, be a devil. Tell them what it is. (Please???)

[PanBiker]

I know the where as well.

[Stanley]

Why not say then we can have another....

[Tripps]

There's a Road to it. . . .

[Stanley]

Yes, thank you David. That is indeed the answer.
I am working on the next one...

[chinatyke]

For those of us who can't access Wikipedia, please put us out of our misery!

[Wendyf]

Wigan Pier China!

[Tizer]

Oh drat, I've only just seen the mystery object and those turned up rails are soooo recognisable!

[chinatyke]

Wigan Pier China!

Thanks Wendy. What are the "turned up rails" for?

[Stanley]

"The pier was at the end of a narrow gauge tramway from a colliery. The wagons would be brought right to the edge of the canal to be tippled so that their contents went straight into the waiting barges. The original wooden pier is believed to have been demolished in 1929, with the iron from the tippler being sold as scrap. Because of the more recent pride in the area's heritage, a replica tippler, consisting of two curved rails, has been erected although several hundred metres from the original location"
Here's the relevant bit from the article China.

[chinatyke]

Thanks for the information. I would never have got this one because I've never been to Wigan Pier, but I thought I recognised the mill in the background. It could be Eckersley's, I've forgotten what the mill was called because it's such a long time ago, but I worked for a company that supplied warp sizing chemicals to them.