Wigan Album

The shop on the left just seen was Gordon Isherwoods a lovely man..the brother of Laurence the artist...under Wallgate at one time used to have toilets..horrible dark green in colour..I can just remember them..and was told they used to smell...and the church in the distance St Joseph's was where I was baptised and belonged to..my Mam and Dad were baptised..married and buried...the church of course is empty and going to the dogs but the statue of St Joseph's on the front is still white even though there is an awful lot of traffic passing every day.

I have noticed recently the bell is still there which is unusual in this day and age! It's very sad the church is no longer used by the faithful as it was built in such a thriving community!

Vb..I'm afraid there is no community there at all to use the church now..I have an awful lot of memories there.

Maureen, I remember Gordon Isherwood's shoe-shop too. Wigan had a number of shoe-shops in the fifties and sixties.

Irene,l can't for the life of me think of any shoe shops now apart from McNultys down King street...it seems they're all in the supermarkets,the last time I looked at M&S shoes they were all made in China and weren't nice or comfy at all.

They are all incorporated into Supermarkets and Department Stores now, Maureen. Oh, how I miss Freemen, Hardy and Willis, Timpson's, Benefit Shoes, Stylo and Gordon Isherwood's. M&S Footglove shoes are good, but I have just thrown away a pair of their cheap, foreign-made ones which I have to admit were extremely comfortable! I have had them heeled a few times at Rickard's in Hallgate, (I love that shop.....old-fashioned shop and old-fashioned service), but sadly they had gone beyond repair. Look forward to seeing you soon. x.

Hi, I was born in Miry Lane so St. Josephs was my parish church. I went to the school as well before going to St Thomas More. I remember the shoe shop and the toilets .. Lovely memories of my childhood.

Hello Val..do you remember Vince Lannon he came from Miry Lane..and a
Dave Marsh who sadly passed away..Vince is still contributing to these boards.

Hi maureen, I vaguely remember Lannons. Would i know you ?
I loved living there, everyone looked after one another, not like today, I don't no many of my neighbours....sad

Val,my maiden name was McGovern..I lived more or less at the top end of
Great George St.