Wigan Album

Enjoyed quite a few late night, dinner dances, at this venue. (late night? 7.30 pm to 12 m.n.). Late fifties, early sixties.

To be more precise, The Council Offices of Ince Urban District Council. My dad was Chairman of the council in the early 1970's just prior to local government reorganisation in 1974. The dance floor was fully sprung and was one of the best in the country. Bring back Roy Crabtree and his band.

I remember my brother, many years my senior, talking of Roy Crabtree. What is happening with Ince Town Hall? Are they pulling it down? I have noticed the scaffolding there for ages, but there are no notices to say what's happening.

There's some lovely art in that brickwork, how sad to see in that condition....if the council want to demolish buildings, go and demolish...that big pub next to Wallgate station. (SORRY I CAN'T THINK OF THE PUBS NAME)

Its a disgrace. Heritage means nothing to the morons at Wigan Metro. The outlying parts of wigan are in terminal decline. Most of the cash, paid by us the council tax payer, is spent on grand new office buildings within the town centre. Ince town Hall is a magnificent building. Incers paid for tht building over the years. Ince Town Hall belongs to the people of Ince, but that means nothing to Lord Haw, Haw and his cronies. The Metro stress they want to renew civic pride...By letting our great buildings go to ruin in this way, the opposite is created. We need to (finally) get rid of Labour in Wigan. Devolve power back to local people and - only then - will civic pride return. Big isn't always beautiful and the metro council is proof of this.

Everyone on this forum seems to moan about the council, rightly in my opinion, but the same people get voted in time after time. Maybe it's time to think outside the box and change historic tribal loyalties

I remember the clinic being demolished a few years ogo because of subsidence in that area of land....Perhaps this may be the problem again!

Trewyth has hit the nail right on the head.
If you don't like it, change it...simples !

If any of you lot where on the council how much money would you spend on this building to do it up and when its done up what would you used for.

I think you will find this can all be put down to Council funds. If it is like a Bolton suggests subsidence and how much Mick asks, it would basically cost too much. What is sad is the clear care that went into building things in those days, the little details. We now do things differently, more eagerness to things completed. A million times I would wish this building to be restored but I'm wise enough to realise the Council does not have that kind of money, it,s far easier to sell it to a developer, turn it into flats etc. Just my view.

I've said before..it's a matter of opinion Helen and co.

Just a thought,When it's gone it's gone!Towns with character are filled with buildings of different eras. Sadly Wigan Borough has few!

im thinking your being a little unfair on our labour councilthey are probably planning a change of use ie a macdonalds or a bookie or perhaps a gay lesbian creche facility sorry no offence meant only kidding

i remember roy crabtree, his mum and dad lived in heber street higher ince, lovely couple, mrs crabtree lovely homely lady, wrap around pinny, and a lovely smile, i lived in hook street and our backs were the washing was pegged out joined together, mr crabtree , a lovely jolley man,a gentleman, part of my childhood.

Once again another beautiful historic building going to ruin,it won.t be long before the morons in Wigan Council will have ridden us of all our History,I would sugest the Councilors have a trip to the Mosel Valley and the Rhine Valley in Germany and see the buildings there which are far older than anything we have in Wigan,it brings tourism in in a big way.They look after there Heritage which is more than we can say in Wigan,Born and bred in Wigan so i remember all the old buildings sadly gone now.

Played many times on the entrance steps, top step we chalked the letters S (SALT) next step P(PEPPER) then M (MUSTARD) last step Vinegar; game was someone shouted out a step names and you had to hop on to the said steps, you were out when you stepped on the wrong one.played this game with Dorothy Crossland, Mary & Christine Kitts we all lived in Christopher st, we also collected 'penny for the guy'here.

I used to live in the adjoining house to the town hall. My step-dad was the caretaker. The Town Hall was a fascinating place and I have some very happy memories. When I got married in 1977, we held the reception at the Town Hall. Its a disgrace that its been allowed to fall into such disrepair.

Lovely to see that our dad Roy Crabtree and his mother and father are remembered. He is in his 87th year and in very good health here in North Wales. Sadly our lovely mum Margaret passed away in January of this year...he is lost without her. Tomorrow 21st June me and my sister Julie are bringing him back to Wigan for the day and will be visiting Ince looking at some of the old land marks! Thank you for your lovely comments.