Wigan Album

This was the year before my wedding. Me and my fiance must have strolled along here on many a Sunday afternoon!

Me too in 1960, would walk up Wigan lane to the Cherry Gardens pub, then down to the park have a walk round and a ice cream, then back to her house for tea, then back to town for a walk round a full day out and all it would cost all day would be for two ice creams in the park

Brilliant and happy days, Dougie!
Years before I would be playing footie with me mates on the grassed areas and off to the cafe for refreshments!

Lads, did you have a rub?

St.Wilf; I wanted to rub the foot recently, but couldn`t climb the steps to do so!

Was working in the park then Tony.I enjoyed every minute of my time then.

In the seventies this part of the park was strictly off limits for any kind of games or even just walking on the grass. Do so, and be seen, and you would incur the wrath of "parkie" (parks patrol).

jj; See 3rd April 2012 Photo-a-Day and read the comments.

jj - nice to see there is no one playing or walking on the grass in this photo. Not so today, dogs are not even on leads now.

In the fifties, the majority of young people used to walk round the Park on Sunday afternoon then the Ritz cinema at night.

Ernest, yes I looked it up. I think it's a case of getting the balance right. Most people respect and look after the park. Always a small minority though who want to trash it.

I would like to clarify that any football played by me and mates as teenagers was right by the grassed areas near the boundary of the park. Intended for such. We may have young, carefree and rebellious but not disrespectful!