Wigan Album

Good ones Thomas - nice buses too.

Thomas, sorry if my remarks about enjoying the background to your photos annoyed you.....I assure you I didn't mean any harm. As you say, buses are not everyone's cup of tea, but those of us who don't understand the mechanics of them can still admire those magnificent vehicles; they are a joy to see, but your photos evoke other memories as well.....the long-gone corner shops and terraced hones that they passed each day. That's all I meant-the photos are wonderful. Irene.

Next door to the TSB Bank... sadly hidden behind the bus (no offence indented ;-)).. there used to stand a butchers shop called Bob Fosters. Just showing above the bus is the window to a flat above the shop. We lived there for 12 months in 1962/63, it does bring back the memories that is for sure.

Another good one Thomas!

Irene, only joking about the buses,used to get enough leg pulling about buses at work! sorry.
Glad you like pics, Dennis.

Don't worry, Tom. Just a misunderstanding;can see how it sounded to you. Glad we've cleared it up, and hope to see more pics.Irene.

Dennis, Do you remember J & H Atherton's drapers at 681? My Auntie and Uncle; I lived with them for my last year at WGS - 59-60.

Does anyone remember a temperance bar near the King Billy or am I mixing it up with somewhere else? Also can anyone remember the name of the lady who owned the cinema at the King Billy, The Platt Bridge Palace if memory serves? I remember seeing her walking around as if checking up on us at the Saturday Matinee's and think she used a walking stick to get around. Lovely pictures of the bus' by the way!

The word temperance rings a bell. My memory is fuzzy, but I think the bar or whatever they called it was a short distance north of the cinema, perhaps at Chapel St.

I lived in Ince at the time of the temperance bar or sweet shop (whichever it was) near the King Billy, but I believe it was Balls's shop.Any more pics, Tom?They're fabulous!

When I came to live in Platt Bridge in 1963 I was surprised at all the shops selling almost everything you needed,Balls shop was about the third one along behind the bus, it was a herbalists with a temperence bar and had a couple of tables and chairs, sadly all gone forever.

Mr Ball from the Temperance Bar, was the manager of the REX cinema in Hindley at one time, I don't know if he actually owned it. E.T.

Irene got it right first! The shop was Ball's and it certainly was a herbalist's with a temperance bar in the back. There were bench seats all round and kids like us could go in and have "Hore Hound" to drink - which is a herb that is only rarely cultivated nowadays as it can be poisonous if not brewed the right way. But years ago it was renowned as a health drink and Ball's was known for it.

Thank you Irene and Jeff. Ball's Herbalists was next door to J & H Atherton's. I remember when my uncle Jim sprained his ankle on the weekend and Mr Ball gave him knitbone for it. When my uncle finally saw the doctor, he said 'Keep doing what you're doing. There's nothing I can do that works better'.