DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Does anyone know when this house was lived in by Sir William Cocker and roughly when it became a childrens home?

The house was designed by a very well known architect, Walter Brierley, who also designed Haworth Art Gallery.  It now turns out that a famous garden designer was responsible for the gardens at Dyke Nook - a lady named Gerturde Jeykll, who normally designed gardens in the south of England.

Atarah
'

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Have you thought of giving social services a call about he children's home? they also might be able to point you in the right direction about its previous history.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Have just found this site by chance. My grandparents, Hubert and Marie Blake, built Dyke Nook in 1907. I believe the house was sold to Sir W Cocker in 1947. I have a copy of a sale brochure of the house when he sold it - but unfortunately, there is no date, but I would guess it is in the 1950s or early '60s. Perhaps it became a children's home then. I can confirm that the garden was designed by Gertrude Jekyll and if you want more details, I can search out some references to published stuff about it. What I would like to know in return, is what is going to happen to the house now?? I happen to have driven past it today, and see that it is all boarded up and is apparently for sale. My efforts to find the estate agent (Duckworths) on the web have proved fruitless - but I did find this site!

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Oh cool! Brill!  So your family are connected to the Blake triplets then?  Hilary died not too long ago I believe.
The house has now been bought.  I have the contact number if you like and YES!!!! I would love to see the brochure
Can I contact you privately?

Atarah

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

I'd love to know who has bought the house - and what they plan to do to it! The Blake triplets were my much loved uncles, all now dead alas. But their youngest sister is my Mum and is still living. I have not told her that the house is boarded up; she would be devastated. By all means contact me privately, but is there a way I can give you my email address without posting it on the site?? (I really am a Newbie!).

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

If you click on a persons username, obviously atarah in this case, a page with their profile will come up. At the bottom of that page you will see "send this user a private message". Click on this and a box will appear for you to write a message.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi all,

Dyke Nook, Whalley Rd., Accrington was owned by my family in the late 19th century.
My Barnes owned the estate in the 1870's and 1880's.  Is this the same place as you're all talking about.

I had been told it had been a children's home until recently closed down.

Any help or pictures would be great as I have nothing except written material and I don't live in England.

Thanks.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Barnsie, The house we have been talking about is "Dyke Nook Lodge" which was definitely built in 1907 by my grandparents, but I believe there once existed a "Dyke Nook House". A couple of years ago I was enquiring about a project I heard about to design a community garden at Dyke Nook and I had some correspondence with Hyndburn Borough Council who told me that the land on which the community garden was to be made was partly donated and partly purchased by the Borough of Accrington in the late 1930s to form the entrance to a new council housing development. The area was never part of the grounds of Dyke Nook LODGE "but was located on the site of the demolished Dyke Nook HOUSE". So - presumably the name Dyke Nook was that of your family's estate and  my grandfather's house was built adjacent to it, or on land purchased from your family, and took its name from the estate. Dyke Nook Lodge was the children's home, but I'm afraid I can't tell you any more about Dyke Nook House.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

I lived at Dyke Nook from 1969 until 1977 ... my parents were Residential Social Workers for LCC and worked there until 1987 (?) when they retired.

I believe it was purchased from William Cocker in 1965 and I too have a copy of the sale information without an exact date.

I would love to have seen the house as a private residence. It had beautiful carved fireplaces, oak panelled walls and mullioned windows like the ones in Howarth Art Gallery, and even in the 1980's held echoes of its previous owners.

It was indeed a privelage to live there for a while. Nice to hear of the house again, and hopefully soon someone will restore it to its former glory.

DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Barnsie, where do you live exactly? Who is/was a Mr Barnes, related to the same family as you, calling himself, Mr Walton E Barnes and who lived at the house we know at Whinside, near the little Crown on Whalley Road. Apparently there is a very old photograph owned by this chappie showing the area known as Lower Dyke Nook showing a Barnes family. maybe this is where your ancestors lived? This family home belonged to Joseph Barnes, drysalter, cochineal and madder grinder, specialising in turkey red dyeing.


Are you aware of Kenyons, Bridges, Cunliffes being names on your family tree?

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Very interesting thread. These local history articles are brilliant.
I have some ancestors who lived at Dyknook on 1851 Census. One of the members was an innkeeper. Obviously this pre-dates Dyke Nook Lodge built 1907 being discussed here.

Some of my ancestors also move further towards Accrington and lived at Water Flats.
Both these places look small on the 1837 map at http://www.old-maps.co.uk/
with just a small group of houses.

Do we know any more information Hubert and Marie Blake and what they did, and why they built their house here ?

It sounds as though they were important people in this area at this time.

DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi, The Blake family are a very important part of Accringtons history. Mr John Blake when aged 18 (in 1854) invented, and afterwards patented, a scientific steam pressure reducing valve. He was not a large employer of labour, but he helped to make the name of Accrington known in many lands - his machinery was sent to all parts of the globe. He began working at Christie's foundry (on the site where our Market Hall is)- and then purchased premises in Oxford Street. He then invented a hydraulic ram for raising water - this earned him fame and fortune (his rams are used at Taj Mahal in India, Sandringham Palace, Blenheim Palace, to name a few) He had 3 sons and one daugher, one of his sons, Hubert, built Dyke Nook. The family were greatly connected with Sacred Heart Church.

I have added a photo of Waterflatts. I have read that it stood on the right hand side of the lane, leading from the back of Waterloo House on Whalley Road, to Queens Road. (What was the surname of your ancestors?) There is a chapter on this property in The Old Homesteads of Accrington, page 186. This is all rather interesting stuff, cos ... this is the area where Butch Cassidy's father was born - on the 1851 census he is shown as living at Waterflatts as a 6 year old. (Dont know whether Waterflatts was also the name of the area?) I have more details on this if anyone is interested.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

This is all very interesting I grew up right round the corner of dyke nook and I noticed that it said whinside on a post it's actually called laneside. Hope this helps

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Perhaps the "Whinside post" was there when the old farm house was?

I noticed that pic is also titled Green Gates Farm - is that a connection to "Greengates" which is the name I knew the back street by which leads up from the corner of Whalley Road/Owen Street into Ramsbottom Street? The builders' merchant up there (which I believe used to be called "Evan's" now goes by the name of "Greengates" and there is still a large old house in the "grounds" which functions as the offices for the builders 'merchant.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Walking along the 1891 Census there are several houses in Dykenook then Hirstwood then Whin Side then Crown Inn then Lane Side on Census 1891 RG12/3359 Folio 109 page 29. (Not sure if Crown Inn still exists today)

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Atarah,
I seem to have ended up doing almost a one name study of the surname Rawcliffe in Accrington (amongst several other surnames)

So from 1851 Census
HO107/2250 Folio 318 Page 29 Moor head/John RawcliffeMar/42/Labourer/Ossy (and family)
Next entry is Dyknook and about 19 houses thereafter followed by two houses at Laneside Followed by Moss Hall and that's it

Other entries within Dyknook which may be of interest include :-
HO107/2250 Folio 318 Page 31/Dyknook/Robert Barnes/Mar/49/General Dealer/born Clayton-le-Moors (plus his family)
HO107/2250 Folio 319 Page 31/Dyknook/James Rawcliffe/Mar/35/Labourer/Church (plus family)
HO107/2250 Folio 321 Page 34/Dyknook/Abram Pilkington/Mar/38/Labourer/Altham (plus family)
HO107/2250 Folio 321 Page 35/Dyknook/Joseph Barnes/Mar/40/Drysalter and farmer ? acres/Clayton-le-Moors (plus family)

DYKE NOOK and Rawcliffes
 

Hi, what christian names are "yours"

Atarah

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi weary tourist ..
There was a house called Laneside Veiw on Laneside, off whalley Road, owned by Peter Walker, but this wasnt the house called Whinside which was on Whalley Road. Whinside was a Home for the Elderly when i left 12 years ago, but had previously been owned by Gerry Jardine a business man in Accrington for years, before he retired. He had a Fancy Goods store on Little Blackburn Road. But Hey!! so much can change in a short time.
I have neglected to respond to so much interesting reading here this week ~ work takes up too much time and the days just arent long enough!
I moved from Oswaldtwislte to North Carolina almost 12 years ago, and dont get back to the area much. But its like we never left when i hear you all talking about these places and the historical connections that emerge from them.

Regards,
Karen

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi there Atarah and folk,
I have just rejoined the Group after my father's death and on a happier note, the birth of three beautiful grandchildren this past 2005. As well, my computer crashed twice, October5 2004 and March 2005 and I lost many contacts including this one. I am now on the road to discovering more about my Accrington forebears, including Joseph Barnes (above) and many others.

I live in Australia, so no visits for me to see Abbey St., Dyke Nook, Plantation Rd., Whalley Rd., Owl Hall, etc. just these wonderful stories from yourselves about the Accrington area. I might add, some of my lot are buried in St. James Altham. But to find which Barnes belongs to who, is an endless task.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Sorry, to answer part of your question, my Jonathon Barnes (1849-1927) lived in Whinside, I'm not sure if his son did also, however, I would think so. His son was called Alec Walton Barnes (1882-1950), so probably Walton E. Barnes, who I don't have on my family tree, was descended from Alec.

This is so interesting, please more........

Cheers,

Barnsie
Australia

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi there,
Just to confirm, Robert and Joseph Barnes (above) are brothers.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Really fasinating thread. Did Gerturde Jeykll come to Accrington herself to design the gardens, does anyone know?

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

I don't know, but from what this thread is saying, I find it just heartbreaking to think of these wonderful mansions and gardens totally lost for all time. What stories they could have told, what memories they would have evoked......and have stored forever. Perhaps I'm too much of a romantic dreamer. But if only.................
Fortunately, I have been able to purchase a few Wills of the 19th century for my Barnes families, which has given me a small insight into their lifestyles, the rich and poor alike in Accrington.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Gertrude Jeykll was probably the most influential garden designer of the twentieth century. She is most famously associated with working with Sir Edward Landseer Lutyens. It's a real coup she designed a garden in Accrington. Does any of her original design survive I wonder?

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

It's a wonderful thread, Rindy. As you know, I'm well into Family History and it would be good if AccyWeb made more of it. I've hit a brick wall with my Yates, Martins, Hamers, Brindles.................not that I'm hinting!

Seriously, if we all got together, I'm sure it would be a good topic.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

You got Martin's? We came to Lancashire from Cumberland around 1820.

We'll have to compare notes. I may have to call you cousin Junetta, and will then qualify for free holidays to Tenerife.;)

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

I was a Martin! I don't think there is a connection though as my great grandfather, Robert Martin, was born in Soham, Cambs in 1875. He was a journeyman by trade and moved to Rawtenstall around the turn of the century. He died in Accrington aged around 92, the Plantation Street area, I think. I remember him being part of the family when I was a child as well as attending his ninetieth birthday celebrations. Unfortunately, he didn't manage to outlive Churchill, his great ambition. Bless him!!

I reckon your holiday just went out the window!

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Have just seen this, a year after it was posted.... I helped to start this thread, way back..... My grandparents built Dyke Nook Lodge and employed Gertrude Jekyll to design the garden. I don't know if she visited it, but yes there are published plans (Tooley, M. and R., Gardens of Gertrude Jekyll in Northern England 1982; and Tooley, M.J. in Garden History Vol 8, No. 3 1980). Nothing remains today as far as I know, but my 92-year old mother (with her twin sister the youngest of the 8 Blake children) played in that garden as a child. She remembers Dyke Nook Lodge with enormous affection.
Incidentally, the house was built by the architect Walter Brierley, who also built the Art Gallery - which explains the similarity in the windows.
Does anyone know if the house has been restored - it was in the process when I last saw it, but I got the impression work had ground to a halt. I hope not!

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

My current endeavour is to try and prove my BARNES's and JONATHON BARNES (1779-1866) and ISABELLA ANN nee SANDERSON (1773-1857) are part of the same family.
They lived most of their married life in Chapel St. Accrington. He was a Calico Printer for a time, then worked in an Inn in town. They had nine children. Some of this family are buried with my lot at St. James Altham, but not Jonathan and Isabella, I think they must be buried in the Christ Church, Accrington cemetery. If anyone is near there and could have a look for them it would be fantastic. I have seen a picture of the Church on the web, but not their burial place........

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Barnsie
There is no longer a graveyard at Christ Church;the headstones were removed years ago ;not sure what remains beneath the turf though; maybe contacting the Vicar there might shed some light;he has been incumbent there for a good number of years,Rev Kevin Logan. I wish you well on your mission;I had friends at Dyke Nook when it was a children's home and went in there a few times, the kids tended to get sent to my school ,St Mary Magdalen's, it was an awe inspiring building;one of my little mates there was an orphan and at the time I thought that she had a better deal than I with the fantastic house !

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Thanks Lindsay,
This is most helpful.....it means I have to search burial records and not churchyards......
Cheers...

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

The windows are still boarded up, dont know if there's work in progress, would be lovely as a single dwelling.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Junetta,
Do you have any Ann Yates in your tree?

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Yes, Joaner3, I have an Ann Yates, born in Church, Lancashire in 1896. Parents are Ralph and Betty.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

My Ann Yates was born in 1812 and married Edward Eccles, they lived in Ossy, and had about 10 kids

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

I'll look into it tomorrow. I have loads of Yates, some of whom I can't recall. I'll do some searching and come back to you x

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Well what a surprise to see that my son(6 yr old) was looking up Dyke Nook and low and behold DN has been talked about.

I along with my Father who purchased the house 4 years ago have been renovating it,hopefully back to its former glory! It is now 10/1/08 99% finished. My Mum and Dad hope to move in in March. It would have been last march but for issues with the sale of the family business.

So yes the answer to the question is it has been made into a single dwelling and if I can say for my father it is very lovely. No real pat on the back for me as I have been the labourer. My father David Rigg and various craftsmen have brought the house back to life with lots of love and attention to detail(and quite a bit of money). It is still boarded up for obvious reasons but behind those boards a lovely home now exists. Beware of the rather large dog and video cameras.

Regards
Darren

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

That's great to hear Darren. It's a lovely building and good to know it is going to be a family home again and well loved. :)

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

That's great news ! I visited the house a few times when I was friends with an orphaned girl who lived there, she wasn't the happiest soul ( totally understandable) but the house was great and the folk looking after her were very kind. The house always had a good vibe about it and she felt safe there. ( sorry if that sounds daft but that what she said ).

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Darren, Yes I had heard that your parents had been working on the house. They very kindly showed a cousin of mine around a few months ago and she reported that it was looking great! We descendants of Hubert & Marie Blake are delighted that the house is being so well looked after..... As I have said before, it was a much-loved family home. Long may it continue to be so!

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi everyone, If anyone out there's interested in Dyke Nook Cottages a Great Grandfather of mine lodged in one of them (there are three, aren't there?) for however long during the 1870s. My street map of Clitheroe shows a street named Dyke Nook - does the Accrington Dyke Nook have a connection with Clitheroe? Good Luck, David F.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi David,

Can you tell me the name of your ancestor who used live in the Dyke Nook cottages......
I too had family living there in the 19th century.

Cheers,
Robyn

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

I used to visit Dyke Nook evey six months back in the early 90s when I was on the LCC Social Services Liaison Committee, its a magnificent building and Im so pleased its being brought back to its original splender. I actually thought that John Stubbs, who owned Accrington Brush Works once lived there, but I may be wrong.:confused:

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Robyn/Barnsie, Thanks for your response. My GGF's name was Henry Franklin and he was lodging with a James and Isabella Dobson. He wasn't there for long and it was during the early/mid 1870s and so in between censuses. David.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

What did you do at dyke nook ? and were you based in accrington ?

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

I have a friend boarding with me at the moment and he was telling me about when he and his wife looked after the children in the Dyke Nook childrens home. He was telling me about the house, the architect etc etc and I said I would take a look on the internet cos he was wondering what had happened to the home (by the way, I live in Durban, South Africa) so word has travelled!! Anything else that would interest me (knowing nothing about this place at all) would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

I have a friend boarding with me at the moment and he was telling me about when he and his wife looked after the children in the Dyke Nook childrens home. He was telling me about the house, the architect etc etc and I said I would take a look on the internet cos he was wondering what had happened to the home (by the way, I live in Durban, South Africa) so word has travelled!! Anything else that would interest me (knowing nothing about this place at all) would be greatly appreciated, thanks

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Joybell,
If you look at the previous pages on this site it will tell you the history of Dyke Nook, the Children's home and the current owner's renovations.
My Barnes ancestors lived in the previous Dyke Nook House I believe (19th century), which was demolished later to make way for the present one......

Cheers,
Barnsie

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hey Barnsie
Thanks so much - I printed this all and took it home - had a good evening chatting. Are there any photos at all please. I went on to Google earth but would really like a photo from ground level as it was and is now if possible. Can you advise me at all? thanks

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Has this project moved on in recent months, I have noticed the gardens being cleaned up, and one or two vans about, but the place still appears to be boarded up!

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

I've only just picked up on this, jackyalex. It was my job to see that everything ran smoothly, such a cleaning food ect, I was ad stll am based in Ossy

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Darren,

I was interested to come across your name (Rigg). I think your Father is my half brother. I have not seen him since your Grandad's funeral 30 odd years ago. I believe your Dad also has a brother called Terry. I have a sister called Yvonne.
If it is the same David Rigg, then please pass on my regards to him. It's been too many years and I figured it was about time to get in touch and say hello.
My email address is [email protected] . If he would like to get in touch or just pass my regards on to Terry as well then that would be great.

Regards,
Anthony Jackson (Rigg)

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

my friend used to live in Whinside house - it is next door to the Crown inn. They lived there in the late 60´s to early 80´s and then it was sold and became a retirement home. I believe it has now been sold again and is back to a residencial unit again. Nice old house....

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

It is being done up, each room ensuite,I know this as the decorator who is working in Dyke Nook is a friend of mine.
Diane.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi ATARAH, I am interested in the Parker roots. I am researching the old American west
hero Butch Casidy and would like to have all your information that you can offer on this subject. Thanks a lot
Archie

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Your in the wrong place. The Parker family when they lived in Accrington, did'nt live at Dyke Nook. They were at Water Flats.
I like your method of research,
and would like to have all your information.
Not a please or may I.

Retlaw.

I have already reseached the Parker Family both here and in America for a friend.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

My (now deceased :D) 2nd ex husband used to say that Hetta Place was his great aunt who had emigrated from Blackburn.
He was a lying toadie, and when I tried to research it, I found that she had been too:)

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

My husband and myself now live in Dyke Nook Lodge any info regarding the history would be very interesting for us if it is no trouble to you, e-mail [email protected]

Thank You
Margaret Rigg

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

hi just read your message yes I think you must be correct my husband David does have a brother named Terry fathers name Albert we knew he remarried but the name Jackson is cunfusing us, any more info I can be contacted at [email protected]

Margaret (RIGG)

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Who actually owns or lives in Dyke Nook now? does anyone know?

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

There is your answer at post#60

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Remember these brothers Margaret. Was one blonde with blue eyes (David); one dark with brown eyes (Terry) ? Chalk and cheese. If so, Terry was the first date that I sat on the back row of the Odeon with when I was about 13 ? Didn't work out though .. LOL.

Have been in Dyke Nook myself.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

hello i too lived in this house around the same time,i was sent there to spend some time there,due to the big family we had

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

I remember Terry and David Rigg..and yes David was tall and blonde, ...I just can't remember why I know them.. I also remember Keith Biddulph who worked at a butchers in Abbey Street just top of little Blackburn road....and also Ian Ridge...he helped out at Whitewell caterers, when I was there. also David Dimambro worked at Schofields Bakery..
amazing what names come back when memory is triggered!!

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Terry is married to a friend of mine Kate:)

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Just read all through the threads..and find this fascinating...
I am learning so much about Accrington through this website......many thanks:)

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Amazing how we all link up on here in some way.. :D
Have been doing some family ancestry for a friend and, coincidentally, her cousin married Terry and David's uncle. Met her recently, she has a wonderful memory and filled me in on some of the history of this family. She didn't know about Dyke Nook though.

Knew Keith Biddulph well when I was a teenager .. a lovely gentle giant. Heck, also David Dimambro .. now living in Spain, but know his family well.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

was david "Lewies" son?

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Yes, pretty sure that was his dad's name Cashy. Can find out for def. though.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

yep thought so, was brought up on one of them streets off meadow st, forget the name, knew his mam n dad, good folk.;)

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi I'm David Dimambro's oldest daughter. just read your post, did you work with my dad?

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Haha .. hiya Tracy me love ... 'tis Susie's mum ... lovely to see you ...xxx

Carry on with the thread everyone.. :D

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi..yes, I worked with your Dad...at Schofield's Bakery 1960 to 1963....
I remember when he got married, and the house he moved into....
Great to catch up ......xx

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

hi , i think i may know you as i also lived at dyke nook from 1970 to 1979
i just took a vertual tour around the old place and was sad to see the extent of disrepair the grounds where in....

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

i used to live in dyke nook when it was a childrens home. love that house.few harmless ghosts as well!!!!

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Robin, two years have passed since you replied to this posting. Are you still wanting info on the Barnes family? Have found a bit for you, quite by chance today.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

I have read this post from start to now and really enjoyed all the posts. The problem I have is that having lived in Clayton -le-Moors for 25 years, and as a teenager walked nearly every Saturday night from Accy to Clayton along Whalley road and not always worse for ware never new that a Children's home was on there, and never new of Dyke Lodge. This is the early Fifty's.

Which is Dyke Lodge is that the large house at the bottom of Pilot St, if so where are the gardens that Gertrude Lawrence designed.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Not totally sure claytonx but in your days of walking along Whalley Road, it could still have been a private house, think it became a childrens home in the mid seventies, I get this feeling that the last tenant was a guy called Stubbs, could have been John Stubbs but I not sure

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Good answer but not the one I am looking for.

There are a lot of large houses either side of the road from Oakleigh to the Greyhound pub some with very large gardens.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

its the big house on the left before Ribblesdale Ave coming from Clayton then there are a few cottages next to it up to the Ribblesdale junction.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi, good description above from Shurm. Have you ever noticed where a lovely, detached house was completely knocked down in the past 12/18th mths (?) and a new larger but very modern, out of keeping, house, built in its place? Dyke Nook Lodge is next to it. Dyke Nook is a wonderful, now privately owned house, built in 1907and just oozing with character.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Thanks Shurm. and Atarah

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

No worries, the reason I don't think many people noticed it was because it had massive wooden gates at the front which were usually closed and a big high wall.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Gertrude Lawrence was an actress. Gertrude Jekyll was the landscape architect .

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Atarah,

Still here.....still interested in anything of the Barnes family, all my years of research has confirmed my Barnes ancestors in Accrington and lots of links......
Would love to know of anything you've found

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Whinside house was owned by Jonathan Barnes and his wife Mary Adeline nee Kenyon in 1890 and beyond. He was the son of Joseph and Ann Barnes who lived nearby in Dykenook house.....during the same period.

Cheers,
Robyn

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Robyn, nice to know you are still interested in your family tree. I am just "worried" that what I stumbled on yesterday, you may already know of. Were you aware of or, have you seen the faded photo that one of your rellies who lived in Canada had in his possession, now perhaps his family has it. Its your Barnes family, photo taken outside Whinside. A huge area of what we know as Whalley Road was known as Dyke Nook, some of it known as Lower Dyke Nook, which is where the house known as Hirstwood stood. From a 1976 newspaper article which I found "by pure chance" yesterday, whilst looking for something else, I am able to give you lots of family detail! More to follow .....
Dyke Nook House was around the Marlborough Club area of Whalley Rd and demolished late 1930's.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Atarah,

Thank you so much for thinking of me.....Yes, I do have that photograph, received it a while ago, showing Joseph and Ann and their children about 1856. Had to check the Tree and there it is.....
Looking forward to anything at all which you may think interesting, thanks again. By the by, I have written against this photograph, Whinside Lower Dyke Nook.
Do you know who the Canadian connection was? I know Frank Dennison Barnes and family came from BC......

His son wrote the following:
In the case of Dyke Nook – there was Lower Dyke Nook, Dyke Nook Cottages & Dyke Nook itself and in 1909 or so MacAlpine built Dyke Nook Lodge.


Cheers Robyn

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Robyn, will have to send the family details (as written in the newspaper) later today. The chappie who sent the photo to The Observer was Mr Walton E Barnes (I know he is def one of "yours") of Saanichton, British Columbia, Canada. The gentleman who mention in a thread from 2006 MUST be the son.
The photo is classed as a "gem".
The famous Henry-Fox Talbot only developed his first photograph negatives in 1841. This photo is thought to be dated 1856 and if so, is recognised as being one of the earliest known photographs ever taken in Accrington! How about that!

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Wow, I think my copy came originally from Walton.....via a UK cousin. Of course haven't got the original, but fascinating, thanks again Aratah.

Walton died in 1999 in BC.........

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

The outside face on Whalley Road was very deceptive, it is a lot bigger than people think, if I remember rightly it was always painted white

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Bob Had to smile at myself this morning when I saw your email your perfectly right I got my Gerties mixed up.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Robyn, right! If you have the photo, does that mean you know the details of all on the photo and further details about who some of them married? Pointless duplicating things, unless ... you never know, some of our Accywebbers may also be connected to this Barnes family?

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

I'm sure Barnsie knows this, but others may not know that it was a ? Barnes who was the prime mover in the drive to get Accrington its own (council) cemetery. It was the same man who was in fact the first to be buried in it.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

This is from a 1939 newspaper - "subsequently owing to the death of Mrs Jonathan Barnes, her residence, Dyke Nook, came onto the market, and in the wisdom of the Council, though not without opposition, it was thought desirable to acquire the property for the purpose of continuing the road widening in Whalley Road. The committee also had in mind the widening of Ribblesdale Avenue, which would give a better and more dignified entrance to the Laneside Estate, and also the provision of a more convenient bus waiting-room, and better facilities for the transport service. These, then, were the primary reasons for the acquisition of the property, Mr Duckworth went on (he was Chairman of the Highways and General Works Committee). The problem then arose as to the development of the remainder of the site. Some desired it should be retained as a garden site, others as a building site, but the idea of a garden, fortunately, prevailed and he thought that decision had been generally approved, particularly since the completion of the scheme. So Robyn, must be nice to know we still have land that your ancestors were once connected with!

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

At the time of the opening of the gardens there was two inscribed memorial panels on the pillars of the entrance gates. The inscription on one of them read "Borough of Accrington. This garden was formed by the Corporation of Accrington, on the site of the house previously known as "Dyke Nook" with substantial financial assistance from Messrs. R W KENYON, W H KENYON and Miss MARION KENYON in remembrance of their sisters, Mrs JONATHAN BARNES who lived at Dyke Nook for many years and Miss S L KENYON, who served as a Magistrate for a considerable period". The other tablet was inscribed to the effect that the garden was opened by the Mayor.

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Atarah,

Thanks for this great information. I don't seem to have it, although yes, I think I have everyone in the photograph....
But just in case,
Joseph & Ann Barnes (nee Singleton), children Joseph, Elizabeth, Ashworth, James, Jonathan and Ellen Ann.

At the time Jonathan Barnes's wife Mary Adeline nee Keynon died it was April 1936.....Jonathan died in 1927 and both are buried in St. James Altham.

I didn't have Mary Adeline's Keynon family though, on the "still to do" list...

Cheers,
Robyn

Re: DYKE NOOK, Whalley Road, Accrington
 

Hi Bob,

You have me wondering now......was it William Barnes d. 1866 that was the first buried in the Accrington Cemetery??
A lot were buried in Altham and Church too......
I can't just pick which one, perhaps you can help please?

Cheers,
Robyn