WHAT came first, the elephant or the lane? That's the intriguing query triggered by Eccleston reader Tony Sweeney in response to a placename yedscratter (February 3) forwarded by Mrs R. Martin of Westhoughton.

She'd asked how Elephant Lane, Thatto Heath, came by its off-beat title, and I ventured a long-held theory that it was a Lanky-twang corruption of Holy Font Lane, a sacred relic of that kind being said to have been located in that area during ancient times. Now, there's a fresh slant from the well-read Tony whose researches into old-time St Helens sporting activities (including cock fighting, clog fighting and championship ice skating) are to be slotted into this page in the very near future.

According to an 1845 Ordnance Survey, says T. S., the Elephant pub, down that particular Thatto Heath lane, is listed as The Elephant & Castle, "suggesting that the lane took its name from the pub and not vice versa."

Elephant & Castle Lane might have been thought too unweildy when the carriageway was developed, leading to the existing shorter form we know today.

That original pub name is an ancient one with a number of possible derivations. Says T. S.: "It is said by some to be a corruption of Infanta of Castile, commemorating the marriage of the daughter of Ferdinand III, King of Castile, to Edward I of England (1272-1307)."

WELL, there you are then! Yer pays yer money and takes yer choice..

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