Wigan Album
Gidlow Lane
26 CommentsPhoto: Steven Buckley
Item #: 25740
Fantastic photo Where did you get it? Never seen it before anywhere...
I first went there in the mid 1950's with the lad who lived next door to me, Raymond Catterall, and his mother and father. I remember during the film some man came around spraying us with something??? out of an old fashioned spray can, the ones with a round tank and a plunger..
i remember the man with the spray as well ron, could it have been for the fleas!!!
Happy days, remember it well!!
This was my local cinema. Some of the films shown gave me nightmares! Particularly those that had robots in!
Is this the Kitchen showroom now
J Glover...yes it is.
I remember the flea-pits, the colloquial name given to local cinemas. Each area had their own and an alternative to going into town to the more plush picture palace! Who remembers the double seats for courting couples?
Giovanni..double seats...oooooooh yes.
Remember it we'll. Saturday mornings at ABC minors and afternoons at the Gidlow. Saw "Lassie Come Home" there in the late 40s and cried all the way through
In the late 1960s it had been turned into a Co-op supermarket - Krazy Kuts.
You would certainly make a bob, or two now, if you knew then, what you know now. Saving the film posters, and the photographs of the stars displayed along the aisles.
I remember them being displayed in the aisles, at The Regal,in Lower Ince. During the war years, you could write off to the various studios, requesting a photograph of a particular film star. I received one from Clarke Gable. He was in his U.S. Air Force uniform. I believe he was a pilot during the war. I also received one from Paul Henried, and one from Leslie Howard. Long since been lost.
There was a good "chipie" near here, same side as the cinema.
This was my local cinema as a boy, I was in the yo yo competition to win a push bike and was there when it was presented to the winner ( not me )
on the stage in front of the screen, happy days
KenR the chippie next door to the Gidlow was Kennards, the lady owner was affectionately referred to as Ma Kennard. She lived in Ryland St. Anyone remember the uniformed commissionaire who worked at the Gidlow? I seem to remember he had some form of disability but can't remember what it was.
It could have been Tourettes, DerekB! Keeping the young uns in order on matinee days!
I remember Kennards chippie more like a youth club than a chip shop. Ma Kennard was a lovely lady.
I remember the man you mentioned DerekB. His name was Mr Halibone,(not sure of the spelling), his wife Gladys was the usherette.
Thanks for the info, Pauline. The name you mention doesn't ring any bells, but I can picture him now stood in front of the ticket booth.
I wonder if they ever showed 'Gone Wit Wind'
The facade is reminisant of the cinema in the film "The Last Picture Show". Anyone agree?
pauline denman did you go sacred heart school i think i remember you if you did. i was agnes stonehouse
Yes Agnes I was at Sacred Heart School & I remember you too. There are a few photos of "our" school on this web site, I hope you look at them.
We used to go to the Saturday morning matinee , 3 pence a time. I was a bit of a rascal ,we played cricket outside Kennedies chip shop and broke the big shop window. Mrs Kennedy just said thank you for admitting it and that was it.
Now youre talking Peter!
Dustbin lid for a wicket kept up with a housebrick playing in the road! Corkie ball being smashed everywhere! Where was the H&S brigade?
Hi Ron, was Raymond Catterall's mum Jessie? I used to work with her at coops and she had one son Raymond.
DOREEN YES THAT WAS HER.