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Hall or nothing

Harold Cunliffe
16/10/2008

A FEW years ago I was invited by Captain Norman Wolstencroft to view the interior of his home, Tonge Hall.

This opportunity was too good to miss being at the time the oldest occupied residence in the town. It dates from the 15th century, built from timber which was growing in the grounds close to the hall. Having 14 bedrooms I was anxious to take a closer look at the construction of the interior.

When walking around I noticed that most windows were of different sizes, also the floor levels were different. It looked as though the building had evolved over hundreds of years, little adaptations taking place at the request of previous owners. Imagine the history associated with a building of this character, and also the people who once lived at the place.

In one room Norman pointed out two initials which had been carved into a wooden door frame, they were JT for John Tonge a former owner.

It was almost at the end of the tour that I decided to ask about the ghost. At a well chosen moment as we walked along a corridor I popped the question: “I believe that you have a ghost?” Norman stopped in his tracks, turned round and said: “Yes, we have seven to be correct.”

Paranormal activity has in fact been identified at the hall. A team of investigators from Lancashire set up recording equipment to collect any activity.

This was prompted by a successful investigation by an American team of ghost hunters. Standing in a group, one of the team members was physically pushed by a spirit. During the early hours of darkness the Lancashire team recorded on camera a dense mist which slowly made its way along the front of the building and then turned the corner moving out of sight.

Previously the voices of a young girl had been heard by Norman, it came from the cellars and was described as a child crying. The team decided to have a look, and a very strange thing happened during the investigation of the cellar. Upon returning to the main part of the house, it was found that a selection of drink coasters were on the floor and were placed in a neat design exactly above the spot where the team had been standing in the cellar below.

Let’s hope that the building is restored. It was a delight to see when reaching the top of William Street, also known as ‘Billy Brow’. It had an air of antiquity, few towns have such a relic from bygone times.

Billy Brow made the news back in 1891. It was a Saturday morning during springtime that a horse caused a commotion in Tonge Lane, now known as Oldham Road.

The horse was owned by the Chamber Colliery Company, and was attached to a cart laden with timber. As the animal was happily proceeding down the road in the Higher Tonge district, a steam roller engaged in working the road surface made the beast take fright. The carter in charge attempted to calm his horse, but he was forcibly flung away as his lorry took off at great speed.

What was, moments ago, a sleepy neighbourhood had now become a scene of excitement. Running out of control the heavy cart collided with a urinal which was opposite the Hare and Hounds Inn, demolishing part of the structure in the process. Wonder if anyone was using the urinal at the time? You would certainly exit with wet feet.

Then crossing the road it damaged part of the step leading to the public house. Then along came the local butcher, Samuel Gee. He was said to be very good with gee-gees. Wondering what all the fuss was about, he noticed the incident and quickly endeavoured to stop the horse by diverting it up ‘Billy Brow’. “That should take the wind out of it," he said. 

Unknown to Samuel, but as he turned into the lane there was a horse drawn milk float awaiting its master. The runaway hit the float with such force that it caused the float and horse to be twisted in the opposite direction. This accident along with the steep incline brought the frightened horse to a standstill. Mr Gee suffered an injury to his hand.

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