Wigan Album

What a lovely, nostagic photo. I could weep seeing The Ritz, {or The ABC, however you knew it}, lit up and in all its glory. Har to imagine this scene is now The Grand Arcade.

Cracking photo Frank, what kind of camera would you have been using back then? It wouldn't have been a Rolleiflex by any chance would it?

Not a Rolleiflex Eddie but its poorer cousin a Yashica twin lens reflex. I remember covering rugby and football matches with the Yashica and we had to pre-focus on a certain distance and wait until the action came into that area before pressing the shutter. Then it was a case of winding on the handle before you could take another shot. Not like today where everything is autofocus and the shutter going off like a machine gun.

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My sentiments exactly irene.

Oh the memories this photo evokes..the Ritz cinema was lush..I distinctly remember the beautiful carpet in the foyer that seemed to sink once your feet stepped on it..and the ABC miners every Saturday morning was something to look forward to for us children.
Across the way from the Ritz was the little Catholic shop where I'd look at different colours of rosary beads for ages..then Wilbrooks credit firm where I worked in the office..and then the glorious Empress where I spent every night except Wednesday which was old folks night..all my friends had to dash for the last bus home..I lived in Wallgate,so it was no problem for me..I could go on and on what this photo and its buildings mean to me..now all that is left are lovely memories..

Must have had a premonition to take a shot like this at that time.! If only we could travel back in time ..if only for an hour or so!

Apologies for my spelling of ABC miners..it of course is minors.

Definitely the late 60's as you can just see the sign on Woolworths' door which said Food Hall First Floor, this was opened in the mid 60's. My Mum was a supervisor in Woolworths at the time, and when the foof hall was constructed they put in an escalator to provide access. this was the first one in Wigan and a local paper (Observer or Evening Post) printed a picture of staff (including my mum) lining the escalator.

Great photo brings back memories of missing last bus at week-ends, regular, also propping up the corner of Waring & Gillow 's plastered that too regular. Oh happy days!

I agree with Linda and Vb.....wouldn't it be wonderful to do a "Gary Sparrow" and go back for just another peep?! And Maureen, what lovely sentiments you express and what special memories you have! Thanks for posting, Frank.

Didn't Oxley's have a superb example of one of those pneumatic tube and torpedo canister systems that conveyed your money to the cashier, and returned your change and receipt?

Yes Oxleys did have the tube system and I remember all the uneven floor. Irene I would love to do a Gary Sparrow ...I watch all the repeats. what fun we could have......just get back in time to look after the grandchildren.

Think that first bus went to Marsh Green, 22 if I remember.
Maureen, sorry bit of track, but do you remember a Catholic shop opposite St Joseph's church,(I think) you said you lived in Wallgate and your comment reminded me of one I knew.

One other amusing point about the building, on the right hand side of the photo, that contained Oxleys and Waring and Gillow. The buildings name - which is visible on the photo on a plaque high up on the corner was * Powells Chambers" Anyway if you looked at the drainpipes on the front and about halfway up the wall was a series of hopperheads (which stop the drainpipes from blocking) which were in the shape of bedroom chamber pots. I must have pointed this feature out to dozens if not hundreds of people in Wigan over the years. You can just see 4 of them in the picture if you look above the Waring and Gillow fascia on the Station Road side. It's alway worthwhile looking up at older buildings as architects used to be very fond on playing jokes like that. As distinct from modern buildings like the Grand Arcade which is just a joke.

Kas yes it was opposite St Josephs..the family name was Latham's,but if memory serves me right the shop had it's own name..but for the life of me I cannot remember it..I think I got all my rosaries medals and prayer books from there..even today whenever I see rosary beads I seem to be looking for either pink ones or blue just like I used to have..its just a throw-back from my childhood..I don't go to church anymore sadly..I have my Grandma's rosary beads..and still miss looking in those little shops.

Carolaen..I see them..I must start looking upwards at the buildings more..when my Daughter was a baby in her pram she was always pointing upwards at buildings in town saying "look at dat"..as I say I ought to look more.

I make no apologies for once again saying - this is the home of lost content, I see it shining plain, the happy highways where I went and cannot come again.

Maureen - do you mean the Catholic Repository in Caroline St?

Thanks Maureen, you have an amazing memory. It was such a tiny shop.

Oh what lovely memories I have of this street in the late 50s and early 60s , it brings tears to my eyes , very happy tears it was always buzzing with couples meeting on their dates , the ritz , woolies, the emp , could go on all day , there gone , but never forgotten

I remember the ABC Minors and also queueing on Sunday nights when we were a bit older. The queue used to be right down to Woolies front door. Then getting the last bus home across the road.

A Shropshire Lad, Linda Massey! Have you ever been to The Land of Lost Content museum in Craven Arms? Look it up on Google. A few years since I went but I imagine it is still going. Anyone reading this, it is well worth a visit.

Mick yes that's right ..really it was facing Miss Byrne's shop..does anyone remember her..she had two Pekineses and we all called in there for sweets or Kali..I never did know how to spell that..

Apologies, Linda, that should have been Linda Massa. Maureen, you got it right with Kali.....that's how you spell it. x.

Is that Ces Freeman's mini behind the street lamp on the left?

Great memereys,dose any body remember sams café across from the Ritz.

No I haven't been Irene but it looks brilliant. No apologise necessary. Has anybody got a magic wand that can take me back to the 60's tonight, either dancing at the Emp with my then boyfriend or 'sitting in the back row of the movies with you'.

Owd viewer..I remember Sam's cafe,that's where we went for our toast when we worked at Wilbrooks..which was next door but one.

Memories are so great with all us who spent the wonderful times in the late 50s early 60s, I wonder if the young ones today will have the same feelings that we do , when they reach there 70s , I doubt it ,

First betting shop I ever went into , right opposite the Ritz.

Maureen, I went to St. Joseph's in the 50's and 60's and the Catholic shop on Caroline St. was also known as Barlow's.

That was the one Sheila thank you..I racked my brain for that.

Sheila,Maureen, what was the name of the Pub on Caroline St.

Jinksi..it was the Ropemakers and our next door neighbour Barney Callaghan owned it then Paddy King,both Irishmen and both big men especially Paddy he was enormous..if you type 'Pub in Caroline Street in the search box you'll see it.

Sheila..if you type the same thing in the search box you will see Miss Byrne's shop next door to the pub.

Maureen,thanks for info,will look at it.

masacared x