Great Preston (Bowers Row)

[kevarms]

My great-grandfather's birth certificate says he was born at Wood Street in Great Preston. In a couple of censuses it's given as Bowers Row. Does the street still exist? I have located Wood LANE on the map, possibly the same?


Thanks in advance,

[onefortheroad]

Hi Kevarms.

Yes, Bowers Row does still exist. It's on the Allerton-Bywater to Swillington road just before the flooded St.Aiden's opencast mine site.

The Bowers Row chapel has been converted to a private residence and some of the housing has gone.

If you blink you'll miss it, but it is definitely still there.

David

[kevarms]

Thanks David, have had a look on Google Earth street view (what a great tool). Spotted the chapel, it looks like Bowers Row was a fairly substantial community at one time. I suspect Wood Street, if it's not Wood Lane, may be where the Biffa depot or the new housing estate are. I'll have to get hold of an old map to find out for sure. Thanks again.

Best wishes,
Kevin

[kevarms]

Just a quick update in case you were interested. I had a look at a late 19th century map and Wood Street was just where I suspected - on the site of what's now the Biffa depot - along with a few more terraces of houses. The pit was across the road and is now all fields.
Best wishes,
Kevin

[onefortheroad]

Hi Kevin.

Glad you found the location of Wood St. It's nice to bring things to a conclusion isn't it.

Thanks for the update.

David