THE atmospheric image featured in our ‘where were we’ feature a fortnight ago stirred up a mixed response from Coffey Time readers.

But one caller, whose name escapes me, did correctly identify it as Newton lock, which is nearby his home at Heath Street close to Emmitt’s Brow.

The Sankey Viaduct in the background was one of the big clues.

A couple of readers did think it might be that stretch of canal near Merton Bank Road as there is a viaduct near there. So would be interested in seeing some photos of that stretch.

Nick Coleman emailed me to say had been looking at Newton lock recently.

He wrote: “Although SCARS volunteers cleared up the area some years ago to show the outline of the lock, it's now very overgrown and scarcely visible.

“I also have recollections of an old cottage here, demolished years ago, where George Stephenson lived when he was building the railway and the viaduct.

“I am currently writing an article on the canal as it is today and restoration plans and taking some photographs along the length of the canal for the website ourlocalvoice.co.uk.”

Another reader, Steve Taylor, said the picture that was taken outside his auntie’s front door, and described a few memories that it stirred.

He wrote: “She used to live in one of the houses next to the Ship Inn at the bend on Wharf Road.

“My cousin used to swim in the canal as a boy. My aunty was Tabatha Edwards and later she moved to Common Road opposite the entrance to wharf road. Happy days.

“Between the ages of 12 and 16 I lived with my mum in Wood Street, near the Viaduct Works and Earle Street.

“The canal water was mucky but that didn’t stop us swimming near to Bradlegh Locks near the Mucky Mountains.”

Meanwhile, on a different topic, our good friend Steve Wainwright emailed me a query from English Heritage about ‘The Wheatsheaf’ pub on Mill Lane, Sutton Leach.

There don’t seem to be many old photos around of that area of the Leach.

I remember my dad telling me that when the new Wheatsheaf was planned, it was on condition that three pubs had to close, the Wheatsheaf on Lionel Street, the Engine and Tender just off Reginald Road, and the Crystal Palace on Waterdale Crescent.

Anyone know of any photos out there?

And June Brighouse, from Nutgrove area, also has a query.

She knew that the Rainhill bus stop terminus was known by the locals as “the gates” because of the old hospital gates.

But when she was chatting to a friend, they referred to an area near the garage near the Nutgrove church as “the steps”. Yet, she adds, there do not appear to be any steps around.

Can any Nutgrover or Donkey Commoner shed any light?