Wigan publicans spooked as they delve into building’s past

Carl and Sharon Connolly took over as landlord and landlady of the Balcarres Arms in Haigh in May and while they may not be serving customers right now due to the coronavirus restrictions, they have been busy exploring their new home.

The pub on Copperas Lane was built in the early 19th Century and continues to have many links to its past.

But the couple were surprised to find a secret room in their attic which Sharon described as being “like somewhere that time forgot”.

She said: “When we were first in lockdown, a man came to check the water when we had just moved in.

“He asked where our water tank was and we didn’t know.

“My husband went up in the attic and there were boxes and suitcases and things like that.

“It was as if they had put everything up there and blocked off the room.”

It is thought the room may have once been used as a bedroom and among the treasures discovered were old photographs and advertisements for events such as Haigh Show.

But that was not the only surprise in the old building, as there are cells in the basement.

Sharon said: “I did a bit of research into the pub and got it back to the early 1800s.

“The highway men would come along, put their horse and cart in the back, and if there was a bad guy they would put him in a cell in the pub. They would go upstairs for a couple of pints and go to bed.”

One of the cells was used as a mortuary as it was so cold and there is a tunnel that goes from the cell to the nearby St Elizabeth’s Church, which was used to transport coffins for funerals.

The couple are fascinated by the history of their new home, but Sharon believes the building may be haunted.

She said: “It’s interesting to be here. Sometimes it feels a bit eerie, like I wonder if someone has walked past me.

“We are forever jumping in the cellar and wondering what noises are. It’s fascinating.”

It is not just the pub that has an interesting history, but also the land around it.

Around 50 years after it opened, the five-storey Sumner’s brewery was erected immediately behind it, mashing the beers for it to sell.

The famed windmill nearby pumped water from a 40ft deep well and piped it under the pub to make the wort.

There was a four-storey malt kiln for many years on nearby Bolton Road, while a mineral line was used to bring in sugar, hops and coal for the brewing process.

The Balcarres’ extensive beer cellars were once connected via tunnels to the cellars under Sumner’s.

There were also reports of tunnels from the pub’s cellar leading into the cellars of Haigh Hall itself, so Earl Balcarres could always be assured of a fresh tasting tipple.

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