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Appeal finds owners of photo album

Annette Lord
13/ 7/2005

RIGHTFUL owners of a historic photo album have been traced thanks to the Advertiser.

Last week's appeal to trace surviving members of the Wilson family resulted in phone calls from two cousins of David Wilson, who owned Higher Lomax Farm in the 50s.

Edna Coyle, of Hartford Close, and Tom Butterworth, of Royal Avenue, are the only surviving relatives still living in Heywood. They are delighted that precious photographs of the family have been rediscovered.

"I'm thrilled to bits," said Tom, 81. "I had lost touch with David and don't think I have any photographs of that side of the family at all."

The album was left with Peter Spratt, who moved into the house previously owned by David Wilson in the 1980s.

One of the photographs published in the Advertiser was thought to be David but is actually Tom's uncle, Willie Butterworth. With him is Edna's dad Eddie Hulme, a well-known Heywood milkman who died last July.

"I spent a lot of time at the farm in the 30s and have many fond memories," said Tom, whose aunt, Minnie, was David's mother. "David's dad Frank was really hot at playing draughts. No one could ever beat him.

"He was a regular in the Hark to Towler and Royal George pubs and officially reopened the Royal George after it was refurbished because he was the oldest customer."

Wilson Avenue is named after the family.