Wigan Album

My mother used to mention Vicar Dean, he was the vicar at St Nathaniel's for many years.

I used to live in Vicarage Close, just of Victoria Road in Platt Bridge. It was the original site for the vicarage to St Nathaniel's Church. (Indeed, it was also the original site for St Nathaniel's Mission Church.) We kids when playing would often tell tales about the ghost of Vicar Dean, his shade was guilty in our minds of all kinds of horrible deeds... but I am sure he did not deserve such treatment.

That cover is amazing! Very artistic, I like the gold effect. Obviously it is a professional job.

At this time the Vicar was the Revd. BT Bowker. In his May Letter in the magazine he appeals for the congregation to buy their own hymn books, and to bring them to church each Sunday - and not to use the supply bought for Vicars... and he asks those who have not only done that, but have then got used to retaining them, and taking them home, to return them to church. They won't be able to miss them, as they are clearly stamped with the church's name. Is that why locals are known as Platt Wazzers?

Afraid not, the name Platt Wazz I believe (only having lived here 20 years and not all my life) is from when there was a train station here. It seems train drivers used to nip off to relieve themselves there, hence the name Platt Wazz... not sure if this is 100% true though. However our new name Platt Vegas is just as bad!!

These books are well bound. I have read one myself from the church of St. James, Poolstock and have a fantastic aesthetic value.

It was the Tram Station on Templeton Road that was the origin of Platt Wazz, the tram would wait for a time before moving on... just enough time to nip to the loo.

Thanks Dennis, still just as bad though, getting it's name from a bodily function!

I remember Canon(Vicar) Dean and his daughter Miss Dean who taught me as a mixed infant. I am sure it was at Walking Day when Canon Dean collapsed and died.I can't recall the year.